Moving can be frustrating, but the experience can be just as taxing on your kiddos. To ease the transition for you and your kids, here are a few key moving tips.
Get Them Involved
Moving is a big change for everyone, but it can make kids feel like they’re pushed aside as all these decisions are being made around them. Everything is getting turned upside down, and it can feel like they have no control over anything.
To help them feel like they have ownership of parts of the process, get them involved in moving preparations and packing. As you think about what you need to get done for your move, consider creating or identifying projects that the kids can help with or possibly handle themselves. They can help pack up boxes and clean up various messes around the house, or they can do something as simple as decorating moving boxes with stickers or deciding what’s on the menu for dinner that night.
Pack Early, Pack Often
Whether you have time on your side or you’re moving quickly, one of the most important moving tips is to pack earlier than you think. Young kids can make even the smallest task take twice as long. And if you push packing to the last minute, you’ll be in for a rough time.
So, instead of trying to rush and pack everything at the last minute, save yourself the stress and plan to pack earlier than you think. Also, hiring a babysitter or scheduling a playdate with friends outside the home will allow you to pack as much as possible without interruptions.
Stick to Routines
Sticking to your usual family routine might not seem like the biggest priority as you try to move homes. But routines are familiar and help kids (especially younger ones) cope with the chaos and strangeness of everything else. So even if their school, neighborhood, and friends are going to change, there’s no reason their bedtime or morning routine needs to. We know it can be hard to stick to a child’s schedule when you’re busy packing and organizing, but remember this is important to your child’s wellbeing.
For younger children, to help minimize change even further, pack their room last before you move and unpack it first when you get to the new home. Even just setting up their bed with a few stuffed animals will do. This will help create a sense of continuity and familiarity.
Make the Move Seem Like an Adventure
It’s essential to keep the mood positive during the move so your kids feel less nervous about it. To drum up that excited attitude about moving, make it seem like an adventure. During dinner, cleaning, or other family activities, highlight to your kids all the things they can look forward to about their new home: the proximity to parks, the cool backyard to explore, the new color of their walls, etc. Help them understand that they’re not the only ones leaving familiarity behind – and that even though you’re going through the same things, there are new adventures to look forward to!
Pack a Bag for the Trip
One of our favorite moving tips for the big moving day is to put together an easily accessible bag full of special items that can help your kids feel comfortable. This will be a jam-packed day with a lot of chaos and officially heading to the new house. Filling the bag with comfort items, necessities, and a treat or special surprise for them to open in the new house will help the day run a little more smoothly. Some things to put in the bag include:
- Comfort toys or keepsakes
- A change of clothes or light layers
- Entertainment materials (coloring books, activity books, tablet, etc.)
- Snacks
- Necessary toiletries (toothbrushes, hair accessories, diapers, etc.)
- Surprise treat or toy
Create Time for Goodbyes
Closure is important for everyone, even young children. So, be sure to set aside time for goodbyes. These can include their favorite babysitter and friends, but they can also include the house and their room.
Consider taking pictures during all these goodbyes, too. Take pictures of special people and rooms in the house. These photos can provide comfort when your child is missing their old life or feeling overwhelmed by the strangeness of their new life.
If you need a storage solution while you move – EZ Access Storage is here to help.
EZ Access Storage is Here to Help with Your Move
We hope these moving tips help to make your move with your kids just a little more stress-free. And if you need a storage solution while you move – we are here to help. Temporarily store your furniture and boxes while you make the transition or use a storage unit to keep memories and keepsakes safe.
We have a wide variety of options available, so no matter how much you need to store, we can help. Our storage units are spacious, secure, and affordable. They also come in options of standard or premium, which include premium units with industrial shelving or double doors. We are always here to make your storage experience as EZ as possible in East Wenatchee.
