MOVING WITH KIDS
MR SHIFTER'S TIPS AND TRICKS FOR AN EASIER MOVE WITH KIDS
Moving with kids can be an exciting but also challenging experience. To help you navigate this process smoothly, here are some resources and information to consider:
PREPARE FOR THE MOVE:
- Involve your kids: Inform them about the move early on and discuss the reasons behind it. Answer their questions and address any concerns they may have.
- Research the new location: Learn about the community, schools, parks, and amenities available in your new area. This information will help you plan accordingly and reassure your children about the positive aspects of the move.
- Create a moving timeline: Establish a schedule for packing, notifying schools, and arranging logistics. Involving your children in this process can give them a sense of control and responsibility.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT SCHOOL:
- Research schools: Look for schools in the new area and gather information about their curriculum, extracurricular activities, and academic performance.
- Visit schools: If possible, plan a visit to the schools you are considering. This will allow you and your children to familiarize yourselves with the environment and meet teachers and staff.
SUPPORT YOUR CHILDREN EMOTIONALLY:
- Maintain routines: Stick to regular schedules for meals, bedtime, and activities to provide a sense of stability and familiarity.
- Address their concerns: Encourage your children to express their feelings about the move. Listen actively, validate their emotions, and offer reassurance. Highlight the positive aspects of the new home and emphasize that you will support them throughout the transition.
- Stay connected: Help your children stay in touch with friends from their previous location through phone calls, video chats, or social media. This can ease the sadness of leaving familiar faces behind.
PACKING AND MOVING:
- Involve the kids: Assign age-appropriate tasks for your children to participate in the packing process. This can include organizing their belongings, labeling boxes, or packing their own suitcases.
- Pack an essentials box: Prepare a box with items your children will need immediately upon arrival, such as favorite toys, bedding, and basic toiletries. This will provide a sense of comfort during the initial days in the new home.
SETTLING INTO THE NEW HOME:
- Explore the neighborhood: Take walks with your kids to discover parks, playgrounds, and nearby attractions. This will help them become familiar with their surroundings.
- Meet neighbors: Encourage your children to interact with neighbors and other kids in the area. This can help them make new friends and feel more connected to the community.
- Find activities: Research local sports teams, clubs, or hobby groups that align with your children’s interests. Engaging in these activities can help them meet new friends with similar interests.
Remember, each child is unique, and their reactions to the move may vary. Offering patience, understanding, and support throughout the process will greatly assist in their adjustment to the new environment.
TIPS FOR MOVING WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS:
- According to Dr. Roy Benaroch, a pediatrician and author of Getting the Best Health Care for Your Child, babies, and toddlers are easily transportable since their primary focus is on their family. As long as their loved ones are present, they are content. Nevertheless, maintaining routine and predictability is crucial.
PAUSE FOR SNUGGLES:
- Dr. Azmaira Maker, a clinical psychologist, emphasizes that babies are not concerned with the unpacking of knickknacks. Their primary need is for attention and engagement. Spending time with them through play and affection can significantly impact their adjustment to new surroundings. Therefore, prioritise lots of cuddles and playtime, and leave the organising and alphabetising for later when they are older and attending pre-school.
RELATED: 9 Ways to Get Through Moving Day When You’re Pregnant
This is the story of when they first move into the Big Tree House. During this time Brother Bear was an only cub. Sister Bear had not yet been born. Read the story and see how the move happened. WATCH IT HERE
In Moving with Kids, social worker and mother of three Lori Collins Burgan offers 25 practical, action-oriented tips for parents before, during, and after a move. Tips include giving kids a sense of control and involvement in the move, making the physical move less stressful, and creating a sense of belonging in a new home. Written with busy parents in mind, this book is accessible and concise-perfect for anyone looking to help children adjust to a move.
This hilarious book makes moving fun by helping kids cope with emotions and changes:
- Reassures children that their feelings are normal and manageable
- Shows step by step moving process
- Teaches ways to keep in touch with old friends while making new ones
- Reminds kids that loved ones will always be the same despite changes
Watch what happened when Brian’s boxes of underwear and furniture all fell out of the moving truck!