Moving home is a life-changing event for one and all. No matter if you are a child or an adult, adapting to new surroundings is not an easy task. Gathering all your household goods and calling a new place your home can be overwhelming. While some people love and get excited about this change, others especially kids may not find it very easy to adjust. Though moving within the city may not bother you and the kids much, moving to an altogether new place or city can be devastating for them.
If you too are planning a long-distance move and have no idea how to manage your kids during and after the move, don’t worry, we have covered you. The following tips from the national moving companies associated with Pricing Van Lines can help parents to make a long-distance move with kids much less burdensome. By following the tips discussed here, you will find it easy to manage kids during the whole moving process and afterward too.
Share the News and Involve Them in the Process
It is often seen that some people do not even feel the need of sharing the moving news with their kids and that leads to many problems. Don’t forget that children are an integral part of the family and they too may have some opinion about the upcoming move. Make sure their opinion matters to you and if you are not sure about it, talk to them. You should share the news excitedly and tell them how this new beginning will be exciting. Discuss post-move life and how you can start new things.
Telling them about the move is the perfect way to prepare your child for the upcoming move. Family discussions will make them feel important and they will get excited about their new beginnings. Involve them in all the moving–related activities like house hunting, finding a good school for them, planning the layout of décor at your new place, and packing.
Understand Their Mental Status
Leaving their friends and school behind and going to a far-off place may make your kids vulnerable, make sure you are present to understand and cater to their emotional needs. Try to involve them in the process as much as possible and spend more and more time with them. Do not ignore their mental status while handling chaos related to the move. You can spare some extra time to recite bedtime stories and play board games with them. Make sure they do not feel ignored during and after the move. Small kids cannot express their feelings clearly so it becomes extremely important to keep talking to them to know their mental status.
Allow Them to Express and Say their Goodbyes
Often parents do not value the feelings of their children and it takes a toll on their mental health. It is observed that some children get grumpy after a long-distance move and parents do not understand the reasons behind these sudden behavioral changes in their kids. While you may think that kids can adjust anywhere, your child may be going through a total mental breakdown.
Do not ignore these red flags and talk to your children and let them express their feelings. Do not simply shun them off for telling you the truth. If they say they are not liking the change, instead of imposing the change on them, try to make the conditions right. You can also arrange a get-together of your kids with their friends to say goodbyes. This gives your children closure and they look forward to a new life. Let them know that they can stay in touch with their existing friends while making new ones at the new place.
Involve Them in Activities
While it is not right to burden your children with extracurricular activities, they can sometimes help your child in adjusting to the place well and soon. Know your kids’ tastes and let them join those activities and you will be astonished by the growth of your child. The right environment can help your children adjust well to the new place.
Involve Them in the Process
Most people find moving the right time to get rid of all the unwanted stuff and downsize their homes. So when you plan to remove any of your kids’ items, make sure you talk to them about it, else they may feel bad about not finding them at the time of unpacking. There can be some items of significance for them; while you can convince them to dispose of some, it may not be easy to convince them for all.
Lastly, make sure you give your children enough and productive time post-move. Let them organize their wardrobes and decide the décor of their room. This will create a feeling of belongingness in them and they will soon start feeling at home. Encourage them to make friends and get involved in their day-to-day activities. Make sure you do not ignore any red flags and drastic behavioral changes.