Moving with kids can be even more daunting than moving without them, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. There are plenty of things to plan and organize, from transporting their clothes and toys to making sure they have the transportation they need to get to school on time (or at all). This guide will help you through every step of the relocation process, so you can get into your new home before they even notice they moved.
1. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Get Organized
Your move is stressful enough, so why add extra stress by waiting until a week before your travel day? Get started on your packing early and use appropriate packaging materials. You can hire a professional moving company to help you with the necessary packaging materials and containers. Using quality and proper packaging materials and containers will ensure that nothing damages transit and makes unpacking more manageable once you arrive at your new home.
2. Budget for Extra Costs
There are bound to be extra costs that you didn’t anticipate when relocating with kids. Whether it’s a new toy or clothes due to a change of weather or just an abrupt demand for more ice cream, kids always seem to find ways to spend money. Be sure to budget for these extra costs when planning your move so you don’t get caught short at some point along your journey.
3. Make Room for Kids Essentials
If you are relocating with kids, you know that organizing all their belongings is one of your priorities. The key is to meet their needs holistically when relocating so that they don’t have to feel like it’s a burden to move to their new home. One way to do that is by packing up their essentials in advance and storing them in safe and attractive color-coded boxes.
Such essentials may include children’s books, toys, clothing, road trip games, and other items that make them feel comfortable and easy to access. The requirements should have you and your child have an easy time moving.
4. Plan for Entertainment
Moving is a significant life change that can bring stress and disorientation, even without children in tow. The good news is that you can plan and set time aside for fun and relaxation as you move, which will ultimately help alleviate some of your stress levels. Have entertaining audios or videos on hand to listen to during long drives or stopovers. You can download children-friendly content on phones or tablet devices, so kids have something to do while on the move.
5. Get Enough and Appropriate Snacks for the Kids
Snacks are essential to keep kids’ energy levels at their best. While snacks are great, scheduling regular meals and mealtimes is also good. If your kids start taking themselves to a local deli every day for lunch, they might not be getting as much as they need in nutrition (and probably too much fat and sodium). If they are hungry between scheduled meals, try sending them off with healthy on-the-go foods such as trail mix or dried fruit.
6. Communicate with Your Kids
Moving is an exciting and sometimes stressful time for kids. Plan ahead of time how you’ll communicate what’s happening to your children and when they can expect new things (such as a new house or school). Open communication will help your children reduce anxiety, making moving easier. When your kids know what to expect during the move, it’s much easier to adjust their thinking and focus on their new home instead of missing old friends or favorite places.
7. Organize for Stops
A few times, you’ll need to stop over on your move. It will help everyone take time to visit restrooms to avoid bowel accidents and change clothes if necessary. Such will keep your children comfortable and stress-free as they stretch before embarking on the journey. Also, it is advisable to make sure your kids have enough food in their tummies before departing. Feeding will prevent them from getting cranky and hungry while traveling.
8. Give Your Kids a Voice in the Moving Process
Your kids may have special interests in some specific areas of the moving process. For example, they might have an attachment to their friends or favorite toys. Let them know that you are open to hearing their opinions and concerns. If you can find a way to incorporate their input into your decision-making, it will make them feel more involved in the relocation.
However, don’t let your children dictate where you should live! Ultimately, it is up to you and your spouse/partner to decide where is best for your family. However, they can choose which road trip games to carry along, which movies to watch during long car rides, and what restaurants you stop at along the way.
9. Be Easy on Yourself and Everyone
Moving is a huge deal, and it can be stressful. But if you can keep things in perspective, stay flexible, and roll with what comes your way, your family will get through it just fine. That’s not to say you shouldn’t plan—you should—but don’t feel like anything that goes wrong means that your move will be a disaster. Relax, breathe, and know that everything will work out. And remember: You’re moving because you want something better for yourself and your family; they’ll be excited about their new home!
10. Document the Move with Photos and Videos
One of the best ways to take a child’s mind off a significant move is by giving them something visual to do. Documenting your movements helps kids feel more comfortable and less stressed out, which can lessen feelings of loneliness and make their new surroundings seem more like home. Be sure to have your camera or video camera handy when you pack up, load up, move in, unpack, and settle. It will give them something to look forward to as they adjust to their new life.
Conclusion
Most relocations don’t turn out to be what you imagined. That doesn’t mean they’re not worth it, however. Moving is a transition that can bring growth and change. But if you want to reduce some of your stress when relocating, implement these easy recommendations to help you relocate with your kids stress-free. Consequently, you’ll be well on your way to making your family relocation smooth and possible!
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