Imagine this for a moment: You’re five years old and men you’ve never seen before come to your house and take away all of your belongings. Sounds like the stuff of nightmares, right? Well, many adults take moving day for granted as just something that has to be done, but for little children it can be disorienting and scary. That’s why it is important for parents to consider their young ones when it comes to planning a move. Here are 5 Essential things every parent should do before moving day.
Talk to your kids first.
Communication is always going to be key when dealing with children. Talk to your children early on about the move. Get them excited about it. Explain to them how everything will go and also emphasize this is not something to be worried or upset by. These types of reassurances will go a long way in soothing your child
Visit the new home
Another way to ease them in is to visit the new home with them. Get them interested in the house and thinking about how they can decorate their room. Also, show them around the neighborhood so they can see things that they might like to do once they move in.
Get the kids involved
If your child is actively involved in the move, then it won’t seem as scary to them. Have your child help pack up their room. If they’re too young to pack, have them decorate the boxes with their own artwork so that it looks more “fun.”
Get a babysitter
If you have young children, all of your preparation may still go out the door when they see the moving men on the day of the move. That’s why it’s a good idea to get a babysitter that day so they won’t be around to see all their stuff being taken off. Also, this is a great idea so you don’t have to worry about them getting in the way or getting hurt.
Pack a special bag
Finally, be sure to set aside a special bag for your child. This should have some of their favorite clothes, PJs, toiletries, and also their favorite toy (or toys). Be sure to pack a special stuffed animal to help them as a security blanket. This bag will help may the first night in the new home go smoothly.
And remember – kids pick up cues from mom and dad. If you are stressed out – your kids are going to be stressed out too. Stay tuned for our next blog post and find out how to keep your moving day as stress free as possible!