Children are very sensitive, and can be troublesome when it comes to moving home. Particularly when they are very young, they may feel as though they are losing their whole world. This is why it is so important for parents to get them more involved in the process of moving house. It will help them to feel that they are more in control, and that their voice is being heard. This will cut down on tantrums overall – and here’s how you can do it.
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Give them key decisions
Of course, you aren’t going to let your children decide where you live, or spend lots of money. But you can involve them in some key decisions with fit three main criteria. They should be very important to the child, not very important to you, and not so big in the scheme of things. For example, the child can pick out a new rug for their room, or decide on which direction their bed should face. They can also pick out décor items for the walls, particularly if you pre-approve a selection first.
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Take them on tour
Before you move to your new home, it is likely that you will be viewing it, perhaps multiple times. Once you have made the decision, make sure to bring your child along with you for at least one viewing. Show them the new bedroom and start talking about where their favourite toys will go. Not only do they feel more involved in the process this way, but it also helps them to understand that nothing is going to change too much. Young children may believe that they have to leave everything behind, including their toys!
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Meet the neighbourhood
During your house visit, take some time to walk or drive around the neighbourhood. Try to find similar places to the ones that your child loves at your current home. If they like going to the park and feeding the ducks, show them the park nearest to your new house. If they like ice cream, find an ice cream shop. Showing them that there are fun things to do near the new house will help them to feel more excited about going there, and less sad about leaving.
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Allow them to pack
Of course, you aren’t going to be letting your child move furniture around! But they can still be involved in the actual moving process. Help them to pack their favourite toys – or better yet, give them a box and leave them to it, so they feel like they are really taking responsibility. This helps them come to terms with the fact that you are going, as well as showing them that Mr Cuddles really is coming along for the ride. Giving them something to do can also stop them from getting fretful on the big day itself. Plus, it’s always nice to have a box or two taken care of while you sort out the rest of the house.
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Let them decide what comes
When you move, you often want to throw away old items to make room for a fresh start. But don’t just throw things away without talking to your child. Get them to help decide. Of course they will want to keep almost everything, but you can at least give them the power to throw some things away and keep others.
The more you involve your kids in the move, the happier and more enthused about it they will be. These key strategies will make the move smoother for everyone.
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Author Bio:
Katy Finigan is an experienced writer and a part of the team behind Abel, a company specialising in truck rentals and moving. She is also a devoted wife and a mother of two who understands how difficult moving house might be for entire families, especially children.
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