There are many things that can make you move with your family, from a new job to a search for security and stability. The move may be hard on everyone, especially your kids, and so you need to find ways to make it easier for them. Have a look at five ways in which you can do this below and make it a great event for everyone.
Have a Talk With Them
Make sure to have a talk with your family before you start packing suitcases. Answer any questions the kids may have about things like a new school or a new route to school, making new friends, and settling into the new home. Keep your answers and responses simple and straightforward to avoid confusion and miscommunication. If you notice that your kids are not too excited about moving, try to find nice things to tell them about the new place and assure them that you will be with them at all times should they face any difficulties. Since the average American moves about 11.7 times during their lifetime, you can let your kids know that this is a normal thing for many people and they may draw comfort from this.
Visit The New Home
If it's possible before you move in, visit the new home at least once with your whole family. Doing this will make it familiar to everyone and so they won't be anxious about going to the new house. Spend some time in the house itself and walking around the neighborhood to familiarize yourselves with it, and you will have an easier time come moving day when everyone knows where they're going and what they should expect.
Make Sure The New House Is Functional
To make the transition less difficult, go to the new place and make sure that everything is working as it should. Fix broken windows, change worn-out rugs, and give the house a fresh coat of paint if it needs one. Things like leaks can be easy to fix for the most part, and doing so will save you about 10% on your water bill. Check for worn toilet flappers and dripping showers and faucets to make sure that you're moving your family into a pristine home that won't have them missing the conveniences of the home you're moving from.
Stick To Familiar Routines
Children thrive on routines, and so you should do your best to ensure that all familiar routines are adhered to. From waking up in the morning, eating meals, cleaning up, and going to bed, make sure that everything stays as close to the way you did it in your former home. This will foster stability and show your children that nothing is changing for the worse, and when they have the comfort of familiar routines, they're more likely to settle into the new home faster and with less fuss.
Prioritize Their Bedroom
When it's finally time to pack, get the kid's bedroom packed last. When you arrive at your new home, set their bedroom up first. This will make the change less jarring for them, and there will be a shorter time spent in between the transition from the old home to the new home. With 31.77% of bathrooms being on the larger side, you will likely find it easier to set up the kid's bathroom first before you set yours up. This will give them another familiar area where they can find the things they're used to, helping them settle down a bit better.
Take the stress out of moving for your kids, and the whole family will likely have a great experience. You will all settle down fast and you can start to decorate the new house together so you will enjoy it that much sooner.