Every person went through a moving process at least one time in their life. Whether you are moving alone or with a family and children, relocating can take a lot of time. Therefore, you have to prepare physically and mentally, make plans and checklists and sort out your budget. A moving process can be really stressful for grown-ups and of course, very traumatic for our kids. Kids are not the ones who decide to move and that’s why they might not understand it. Therefore, preparing your children for relocation is a very important thing to do.
Preparing Your Children For Relocation – Tips, And Hints
First of all, when you decide to relocate, you have to think of hiring a professional moving company. If you are moving to Maryland, consider Maryland moving & relocation services. A professional moving company will save a lot of your time and pack/unpack your belongings fast and safe. But, sadly, they can not take care of your kids. Preparing your children for relocation is something that you will have to do yourself. So, let’s see now what are the things you should do in order to make a moving experience less traumatic for your children.
- The decision to move
- Talk about the move with your children
- Research your new home area
- Let your kids participate in the moving process
The Decision To Move
The decision to move can sometimes be out of your hands. People have to move because their job requires it or if they have some financial problems so they have to downsize or move in with their family. Whether you are moving because of your job or for any other reason, the decision you have made will affect your lovely children.
Even though we might not be happy because we have to move, we can not show that in front of our kids. You should try to look at everything positively and talk to your kids about the move. Try to reassure them that the moving decision is a good thing and they will be happy always no matter where they live.
Talk About The Move With Your Children
Preparing your children for relocation is a hard process but manageable if you do it right. So, that’s why you should talk to your kids about the move as soon as you find out about it. The most important thing is to be honest. Give them as much information as you can and answer honestly to any of their questions.
Even if the move is something positive and means improvement for your family, kids may not understand that. Therefore, try to understand and don’t judge their negative reactions.
The moving process is stressful and takes a lot of time. Therefore, you should check on how to make moving to a new home easier!
Research Your New Home Area
Sit with your kids and show them pictures of their new neighborhood. If you can, make a trip with your kids to your new home destination. While you are there, you can check and investigate the local area, schools, parks and other places for entertainment. Try to reduce your kids moving anxiety by doing and showing them things they like to do and places where they feel good.
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Let Your Kids Participate In The Moving Process
From the first day, let your kids participate and be involved completely in the moving process. Tell them that you will hire Washington D.C. moving & relocation services and also talk about the things you will do before, during and after the move. Let them help with packing and labeling boxes, preparing their lovely pets for the relocation and let them pack their own essentials box if they want to.
Moving With A Preschool Kid And Toddler
Moving with a preschool kid or a toddler is a more or less easy thing to do. Kids under the age of 6 do not understand much and they won’t ask a lot of questions. However, you can make a story and use their toys to explain to them the move. Also, when you pack their toys into the box, try to explain that you are not throwing them away. Try to keep the child’s old bedroom, arrange the new one the same way as the old one used to be. In this way, your kid will feel safe and adapt easier to the new environment.
Moving With A School Kid
Elementary school kids will most likely be ok with a transition. But, in this case, you should consider what is the best time for the move. Some people say you should move with school age kids during the summer so you wouldn’t disrupt their school schedule. Other ones say that you should move whenever and let the kid meet new friends immediately so they would adapt easier. However, you know your kids the best, so we will leave this decision to you!
Do not forget to prepare and transfer your kids’ birth certificate, medical records, and the most recent report card or transcript. The new school will ask for these documents so it is better if you prepare them in time.
Relocating with your kids will stress you out. In order for everything to goes according to the plan, here are some questions you should ask your professional mover!
Moving With A High School Kid Or A Teen
Preparing your children for relocation, especially if they are teens is almost always difficult. Teenagers already have their own circle of friends, they are familiar with their neighborhood and they are used to the lifestyle, so they will most likely reject the move decision and rebel about it. Therefore, you will have to sit down and talk through with your kid. Explain to them why the move is a good solution, and of course, promise them that they will be able to come back to the old neighborhood for the prom night.
Also, if you are planning to move with a teen kid during the school year, let them stay with some family until school is over. If you do this, they will most likely accept the move and they will have more time to adapt to it.
Preparing your children for relocation is a tough thing to do. Hopefully, this was a good guide on how to make a move easier for your beloved kids! Good luck!
