Moving With Children – Ways To Make The Transition Smoother

Whether you are relocating to a new home down the street or across the country, moving can be quite challenging if you have kids. After all, the change can also be very stressful for them, because you move them out of their familiar surroundings, which can unsettle them. Being both a mom and top Sherwood Park & Edmonton REALTOR® I have come up with some ways to help make the transition smoother for you when moving with children:
1. Before Moving Day
 
A stress-free move is a lot about proper preparation. When you are moving with kids it’s vital that you do as much as possible before moving day to make sure that the process runs smoothly. Some of the things you can do well in advance include:
  1. Have a discussion with your kids about the move. Make it a point to answer all their questions and clear their doubts. This will help them understand what is happening and what they can expect. The idea is to allay their fears and make them feel more positive about the move.
  2. It’s also important that you stay calm during this period. This is because children (even very young ones) are able to quickly pick up the nuances in their parent emotions. This is especially true if they feel their parents are anxious and stressed. When you remain collected and calm during the entire packing and moving process, it also helps calm your kids down.
  3. Turn packing into a fun activity. If your children are old enough, allow them to do some simple packing like packing their toys away in boxes etc.
  4. Be proactive in discussing details about the new neighbourhood with your children. Do some research with them, to make them more familiar with their future surroundings.
  5. Many parents find that reading interesting children’s stories related to moving day, to their kids is a great way to make them look forward to the change.
2. Moving Day
It important that you pack properly for moving day as well as for the first night that you will be spending in your new home. Make sure that you pack all the essentials for moving day and pack a ‘first-night’ bag. Depending on the ages of your kids, some of the things you can include in this bag are:
  1. Pyjamas and clothing
  2. Wipes and diapers
  3. First aid kit and medications
  4. Toys
  5. Juice, formula etc.
  6. Bottles, sippy cups, and their favourite snacks
  7. Blanket
  8. Carrier and stroller
  9. Extra pacifiers
  10. Car seat
  11. Bath items
On your first night at the new home, make it a point to create a more familiar and comfortable space for your kids in their bedrooms. Make their bed and place their favourite toys, books etc. around them which will make them feel more at home.
3. Setting Into the New Home
It’s not just kids, but adults as well that can find it difficult to adjust to their new home and surroundings. While adults find ways to make these adjustments, you would need to make extra efforts to help your children do the same. Some of the things you can focus on include:

  1. Give your children a tour of the house and let them also explore the space freely. Point out to them which spaces can be used for playing and frolicking around.
  2. If you find that your kids are very eager to unpack things, allow them to do so. In fact, if they’re old enough, encourage them to take out all their books and toys from the moving boxes and place them on shelves or in cabinets.
  3. If you are planning on repainting the house, older kids can help you pick out the colours for their bedrooms. In fact, you can also hand them a roller and ask them to help with the paint job.
  4. Always ensure that you maintain your child’s routines such as activities, nap times play and fun times and meals etc. This consistency will tell them that all’s well and they will feel more secure.
As long as you are very positive about the move and your new home, your kids will be the same. Make it a point to spend some extra time with your children in your yard spaces. Interact with your neighbours and introduce your children to their kids. Once they find some new friends, they will be better adjusted to the relocation.

Whether it’s your first time buying a home or you’ve bought and sold property a dozen times before, teaming up with the right Sherwood Park REALTOR® is the critical first step in making a great experience.

Sonia Tarabay puts her inner tiger to work for each and every one of her home­buying clients, delivering outstanding 5 Star Service every time. When you’ve got Sonia on your side, buying a home is easier, faster, and way more fun!

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