Moving With Kids
Moving is hectic business. It is stressful and can get quite chaotic if not handled properly. Add to that the hassle of young children who need minding and taking care of. Now you’ve got a situation that could really confusing and difficult to manage. Fear not, however! There is a simple solution to moving with kids – whether it’s within the city, or a different town/city, or even if it’s to the opposite end of the country. The solution is to get your kids to participate and be part of the moving process. Make it an adventure and an enjoyable experience for them.
Planning the big adventure
1) Apart from hiring a moving company, the family as a whole needs to be prepared too. Gather the entire family, kids and all, and discuss the move. Give the kids small responsibilities so that they feel included in the efforts. Make a plan for the day of the move and make it clear to the children how things will go on that day. Also, plan a fun family outing for the day after the move so that there’s something to look forward to and the kids are motivated.
2) Ask the children to plan for their new room in the new house – what color they want their room to be, what kind of a bed they want, what kind of chair, etc.
3) Regularly remind the children about the move in the days before the move so that they are mentally prepared. Go over the plan for the day of the move as many times as you deem necessary so that the kids are well prepared.
The day of the big adventure
1) Keep the most essential things that the kids will need in a separate box, not to be given to the movers – things like special toys and comforters. Keeping them separate and with you at all times during the move will make sure that you have whatever is needed to calm down their anxiety if needed.
2) Introduce the kids to the movers. You’d have no doubt hired a professional moving company. Getting the kids familiar with the people who are going to be moving all their things and maybe even their pets will help not get stressed, which in turn decreases the parents’ stress.
After the big adventure
1) Gives the kids small tasks to do, so that they feel useful and also so that they familiarize themselves in the new house and neighborhood.
2) Introduce yourself and the kids to the neighbors and their kids (if any).
3) Finally, after all the unpacking and settling down, don’t forget that special after-move family outing that you had planned before the move.
If you and your family are moving anywhere along the East coast, whether around Baltimore and Washington DC or down in Orlando and Central Florida, you can get a free quote from 1st Class Moving through a very simple form that can be filled on their website. You can even get handy moving guides on their website.
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