Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do and it is stressful on adults and children alike, regardless of how near or far your move is. There can be a lot of emotion at play when it comes to moving as children can idealize their old home and feel attached to it. It can often bring about upset or anger and dealing with it can be difficult. To help smooth the process here are some ways to make moving with children easier.
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Be honest about the move
Children will pick up on or overhear conversations you may be having about moving. If you don’t talk to them about it their imagination can run away with them and they can dramatize the move internally. Keep them informed and up to date of everything that is going on so that can deal with it with you and with all the information to hand.
Don’t ignore their sadness
As parents, you want to try and reduce any sadness they may be experiencing, it’s natural. However when it comes to moving accept that they may feel sad and let them feel it without dismissing it. Save for not moving, you will not be able to solve their sadness. It is a natural reaction that they need to understand and experience. You can help by reassuring them that all of their old belonging will come with them and that although they may feel sad now, it won’t last forever.
Visit
Where are can try to visit the new house or area as much as possible so that children can visualize their new setting. Of course, this may not always be possible, and where it isn’t consider showing them photos or YouTube videos so that they can get an idea of their new surroundings. So it gives them something they can picture.
Involve them
Where you can try to involve your children as much as possible. Of course, there will be decisions you cannot leave to a seven-year-old but there will be elements of the decision-making process they can have an input. It could be the color of their bedroom, layouts and furniture choices for example. This can help keep them feeling part of the moving process and give them an element of control over a situation that is largely out of their control.
On a practical note
As with most things children pick up on the stress of adults. While moving is stressful there are steps you can take to minimize the stress you feel, which is often passed on (indirectly and unintentionally) to your children. Choose your realtors and legal teams carefully. Look for a trusted and experienced team such as Jenifer Jewell Real Estate who can help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. Enlist the help of professional movers on moving day and consider utilizing sitters when it comes to the big day. Yes, you want your children to be involved but moving is long and hard and children will be easily bored, hungry, and lose interest. They will most likely have a better time on a play date or and grandma’s house while you do the boring stuff.
