How to prepare children for moving
Moving brings many challenges. Not only does a lot have to happen physically, there are also challenges mentally. Especially for (young) children, moving can be very exciting. Especially if, for example, you are moving to another village or even to the city. It is not a nice thought for children to leave their friends behind, or their nice and familiar class. Nevertheless, they should be able to prepare themselves for this because moving is part of life. That is why we would like to share some tips with you on how to make the move as pleasant as possible for your kids!
1. Talk about it early
First, it is important to inform your children about the move in time. When doing so, explain well why you are moving to a new neighborhood, but always mention some positive things as well (such as a new room). Children become happy when they can look forward to something, so positivity is important. Of course, it is also important to listen to your children, give space for questions, concerns and emotions. By making it discussable you will remove all the biggest uncertainties, and prevent a stressful move.
2. Involve them in the process
It is also important to involve your children in the moving process. They don’t have to do the lugging, of course (we do ), but decoration, for example, can be an important aspect. Letting the children arrange and decorate their new room themselves makes them feel heard and, in turn, creates a nice new environment. Also, depending on age, it can be fun for the children to already see the new environment once. A fun scavenger hunt or just a walk can contribute to this very well.
3. Maintain routines
In addition to maintaining a positive atmosphere, maintain a sense of continuity. By this we mean that it can be good to keep all routines intact. Keep eating, sleeping and playing times the same during the move as much as possible. The move will be more natural and will cause less disruption in your children’s lives. In addition, an important tip is to make sure they have access to their stuffed toys or toys until the move. A stuffed toy is a very underrated property of a child, so pack it last!
4. Visit the new home in advance
An important aspect for moving with your child, is visiting the house. Also, take your children to see the remodeling etc. so that they can bond with the new house as soon as possible. In doing so, you can also visualize right away what their new room can look like and what the possibilities are. This in turn contributes to a positive outlook for your child(ren).
Prepare your children for the move
So, as you have read, communication is a key factor in preparing your child for the move. Make sure your child feels involved in the move so they can prepare mentally. After all, it’s not nothing for them to leave their friends, school and neighborhood behind. Keep it positive and especially name the nice things. With the right approach, your new house will quickly become a home!
