You might think it’s easier to plan a move without involving your kids. However, research shows that including them in the process will help them feel more in control and less stressed. This can also help them get adjusted to the major changes happening in their lives. Plus, you will be less stressed if you have a few extra helping hands.

Island Real Estate by Mai Gregory presents some tips to get your started.

Before Moving Day

There’s a lot of work you need to accomplish before moving day arrives. In addition to packing up your belongings, discuss the move with your kids and help them understand that while certain things are changing, their lives will soon return to normal.

• Pack up your child’s room last using these handy tips from Porchlight. By packing last, you allow them to enjoy their old bedroom until the last possible moment.
• Stick with your usual meal and bedtime routines to give your child as much consistency as possible. This familiarity can help calm their anxiety.
• Help your kids create a memory book of their old friends and neighborhood. This way, they can revisit these memories when they’re feeling homesick.
• Help them mentally prepare before the move, and help ease their anxiety Some kids may struggle for up to six months after a move, and that’s okay.

Moving Day Preparation

Of course, there are still things you need to do to prepare for the moving day. This includes a few things that won’t involve your kids. This could include finding a temporary place to live while you’re waiting to move into the home you’ve purchased.

• Make sure you plan ahead for everything. This is especially important if you work from home, as moving can completely upset your routine.
• For example, consider hiring professional movers to handle the heavy lifting while you supervise and keep an eye on the kiddos.
• Ask friends to help look after the kids and consider dog boarding for Fido to ease moving day woes. Or, if they’re old enough, have your kids look after the family pet!

Settling In 

Moving to your new home is only part of the battle—now you have to get settled! Thankfully, this is the fun part, as you get to decorate your new place and get to know your surroundings.

• Psychology Today notes that letting your child help make some decisions post-move can help them make positive choices in the future.
• Let your kids help unpack to get them excited about the new house.
• Pump them up for their new school so that is less scary and more exciting.
• Don’t neglect your own self-care: you can’t help your kids if you’re overwhelmed!

Now that you have some ideas for how to include your kids in the move planning, let them have fun with it. Making it a game will get them excited about organizing, decorating, etc. You will all have more fun working together to make your new home truly yours.

By: Cindy Aldridge