When you’re moving home it’s like being on an emotional roller coaster.
Especially kids…they hate moving. They’re going to have to leave their friends, change schools and say goodbye to everything they know. Well actually….
Moving doesn’t have to be scary.
When you take the proper steps, moving can be an adventure your kids will actually get excited about.
What’s Inside:
- Why Moving Homes Is Traumatic For Kids
- FUN Moving Tips To Get Kids Excited
- Help Kids Feel Like They Have Control
- How To Celebrate Moving Day With Kids
- Bonus Tip: One Thing Most Parents Forget…
Why Moving Homes Is Traumatic For Kids
Ok let’s get this out of the way. Moving is stressful.
For kids it can be downright traumatizing. Everything about their daily lives are tied to their home. Friends, routines, their backyard; these are all things that get turned upside down when your family starts looking at houses for sale.
Did you know that…
Studies have shown that up to 20% of children who move experience some sort of decline in their school grades compared to the year prior they moved? Crazy right? Just moving caused children to have a tougher time in school.
Kids fear the unknown. When moving there is a lot of unknown!
What school will they go to? Who will they play with? Will they even like the new house?
If you partner with expert Berkeley realtors who specialise in family homes you’ll have an easier time finding the perfect place. Kids also sense when you’re happy about the move. If you show them there is excitement about moving, they’ll feel it too!
FUN Moving Tips To Get Kids Excited
Stop the negative feelings before they even start!
Make your move FUN!
Here are some ideas to get you started.
Take Your Kids For A Tour
This may not always be possible but if you can take your kids to your new neighborhood before moving day it will help tons.
Explore the closest parks, ice cream shops, and playgrounds. Send them off to play with some new faces and make new memories.
Kid Friendly Countdown Calendar
Leading up to moving day, create a calendar with activities that your kids can look forward to each day.
Include fun things like picking paint colors for their room or allowing them to pick out new bedding.
Have your kids look up fun facts about their new neighborhood. Google hometown team sports teams, libraries, and parks.
Below are some more ideas to get you started.
Design Their Room
Allow your kids to decide how they want their new bedroom layout to look. Having them draw out the layout and pick decor makes them feel more connected to their new space.
Old Neighborhood Adventure
Print out photos of your kids favorite places in your old neighborhood and take them on a photo adventure. Take pictures of your kids at these places and create a book for them to remember the old house by.
Role Play Meeting New Friends
Practice introductions with your kids. It’s scary for kids to meet new people. Teach them what to say to break the ice when meeting new friends.
The idea is to change their anxious feelings into something they can look forward to.
Help Kids Feel Like They Have Control
Children often hate moving because they feel like they have no control.
Adults decide where they live and when they move. Parents decide what gets thrown out and what gets packed up. Nobody asks the kids how they feel.
It’s time to change that.
Allowing your kids to have a voice and make some decisions about the move will help them feel more in control. Children who are allowed to pack their own room and pick their new bedroom have an easier time with the moving process.
Kids can Help:
- Let your kids pick which box their toys will go in
- Ask for their input when looking at houses for sale
- Allow them to decorate and pick how their room will go in the new house
Move In Day Traditions To Celebrate With Your Kids
Moving day doesn’t have to be all boxes and rushing around.
Celebrate with your kids! Have a special breakfast before everyone heads out. Have a pizza party on the floor of your new house when you arrive.
Print pictures of your kids in their new home and create memories!
There are lots of moving day traditions you can start with your kids:
- Plant a tree in the yard.
- Hide a family time capsule in your yard.
- Write goodbye notes on the wall (with permission from the former owners or if you’re building anew.)
Focus On The First Week In Your New Home
Getting your kids rooms unpacked and set up should be priority number one when you move into your new home. Children will feel at ease having their own space put together.
Encourage your kids to keep their normal bedtime routine even if everything else is different.
Stay Connected to Their Friends
Plan a video chat with your kids’ old friends. If you live close enough make sure to plan a playdate for the future.
Moving to a new home is hard when you have to say goodbye to your friends.
Bonus Tip: One Thing Most Parents Forget…
Children take their cues from their parents.
If you’re stressed and complaining about the move your kids will pick up on that. However, when you make your move an adventure your kids will understand that moving is exciting.
It’s ok for your kids to feel sad about leaving their home sweet home. But you can also teach them it’s okay to feel happy about the new place you’ll live.
Validate then Problem Solve
Children will voice their concerns about moving. When they do avoid jumping right to solutions.
- kid – “I’m going to miss my best friend”
- parent – “Yeah me too buddy. Let’s think of some ways we can stay connected!”
Wrapping It Up
Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure your kids will remember forever.
Just remember these 5 tips:
- Include your kids in the home buying process
- Allow them to make small decisions about their new home
- Celebrate move in day with your kids
- Help them keep their routine
- Keep in touch with their old friends
When your family starts looking for houses for sale, involve your kids. They can help pick the backyard, bedroom size, and neighborhood.
Moving is a transition but transitions don’t have to be traumatizing.
With a little creativity and planning you can make this next chapter in your family’s life one of the best stories you’ll tell.