Moving across town or across the country can be an exciting experience — but settling into your new house and feeling at home might take a while for your kids. Fortunately, you can try several strategies as you transform your new house into a comfortable and nurturing family haven.
Validate All of Your Child’s Emotions
Moving is stressful. It’s natural for your children to express sadness, anger, anxiety and other emotions before, during and after a move.
Help your kids cope by giving them space to express everything they feel. Then, acknowledge and talk about their feelings as you validate your children. Through attentive and gentle conversations, you can help your kids process their feelings about moving and prepare for their new home.
See Also: How to Move With Children and Pets?
Make Moving Day Peaceful
To keep your child occupied, safe and peaceful on moving day, arrange for childcare. Set up a play date with friends, family members or another trusted adult.
If childcare isn’t possible, give your children age-appropriate tasks that keep them safely occupied while you pack the moving truck. For example, let them wipe off walls with wet cloths, pop bubble wrap or apply label stickers to boxes.
Likewise, make the day even more serene for your children and yourself when you hire a moving company. Let the professionals simplify and expedite the entire moving process while you focus on your children and their needs.
Pack a Container of Favorites
Your children probably have a few favorite toys, blankets or stuffed animals that bring them comfort and provide a feeling of security. Pack these items last into a bag or tote, and let your kids carry their containers of favorite items. Your children can then access their familiar comfort items on the drive to the new house and immediately upon arrival as they begin to adjust to their new surroundings.
Prepare Your Child’s Space
Plan to set up your children’s bedrooms before you unpack any other room. With this strategy, you give your kids a space where they can unwind, relax and feel comfortable. While surrounded by familiar toys, furniture and memorabilia, your kids can begin to settle into their new space and make it their own.
Plan Family Time
Before tackling your moving boxes, create new family memories in your house. You could share a picnic dinner, watch a favorite movie, play a board game or plan a sleepover in the living room together. As your family shares fun experiences in your new surroundings, your children will begin to feel comfortable in their new home.
Reestablish Your Children’s Routines
Routines can be comforting and help your kids feel safe and secure. As soon as possible, reestablish your children’s regular meal, nap and bedtime schedules. Enroll them in their favorite sports or recreational activities, too. Now’s also a great time to incorporate the traditions your kids love, such as after-dinner walks, family bedtime story time or Sunday morning brunch.
Decorate Together
Enlist your children’s assistance with decoration decisions. They can choose their bedroom wall colors and furniture placement, plus help design common areas like the dining and game rooms. Hang their artwork, family photos and mementos in shared spaces, too. These details can make your house feel like a home. As your children help to decorate, they begin to take ownership of the house.
Also Read: Baby Decorative Pillows – A Complete Guide
Incorporate Comfort Items
Soft blankets, dimmable lights, scented candles, trickling fountains and green plants are examples of comfort items that transform your house into a home. These comfort items can also help your family members relax and feel less stressed. Incorporate these items into your décor and let each person add his or her own touches based on preference and need.
Touch Base With Loved Ones
Connecting with familiar family members and friends can reinforce your children’s security, reduce their anxiety and increase their comfort. You could FaceTime family members or friends, or let your kids record and share a video tour of their new bedrooms. Your children will eventually make friends in your new neighborhood, but allow them to connect with familiar loved ones in the meantime.
Improve Your Home’s Functionality
While unpacking boxes and organizing your home, try to minimize clutter and create spaces that meet each family member’s needs. For example, transform a breakfast nook into a craft corner, turn a closet into a play fort or hang pegboards in the entrance hallway to store backpacks and jackets. These functional touches customize your house and support your family’s everyday comfort.
Take Your Time
Adjusting to a new house and neighborhood will take time. Fortunately, you can give your children time and space to get settled and feel comfortable after your move. Continue to make new memories and talk about your children’s feelings as you help them adjust to the change.
Although moving can be stressful, your new house will become a family haven in time. Settle in slowly and maintain open communication. Work together, too, as you create a comfortable, relaxing and peaceful family haven.
