7 Tips for Helping Kids Move to a New Home
Moving can be a stressful transition for anyone but particularly trying for kids. Getting adjusted to a new home in a new city and leaving behind their school or friends often leaves children confused or even scared.
Following these tips and techniques for easing a child’s moving process’s stress can help them acclimate to their new environment easier.
1. Maintain a Typical Routine
Kids will still need to follow their usual daily activities once in the new home. Try to stick with their previous routines such as meals, wake-up schedules, hygiene, and previously established rules. A steady routine creates a greater sense of security in their changing world.
2. Familiarize Kids with the New Community
Youngsters might enjoy a trip to the playground or head to a local park. This often helps them feel more comfortable when it’s time for school to start. Check out city landmarks and the potential family stops like the local grocery store, pizza, or donut shop.
3. Make a School Visit Before the First Day
If possible, schedule time to visit your children’s school to look around and meet their new teacher. This helps the kids—especially younger ones—feel more at ease on their first day.
4. Create Opportunities to Continue Their Hobbies
Find local groups, clubs, or activities like sports or art clubs for children to continue involvement in reasonably quickly after the move. You might even look into options before arrival.
This allows them to meet new friends their age with similar interests, which tends to make the transition smoother.
5. Tips for Younger Kids
If possible, take youngsters to visit the new home if it’s nearby. It’s best to hold off packing up their bedrooms as long as possible.
However, bringing a few toys or boxes during these visits lets them into the idea of moving. Gradually transitioning them can get them more excited about the entire moving process.
6. Tips for Tweens and Teens
Older children tend to be the most resistant to moving to a new home. They have likely formed strong bonds with their friends at this age and aren’t too eager to make new ones.
Consider ways that will allow them to stay in contact with their current friends. If the new home is nearby, visits might be possible.
However, if it’s not feasible for in-person contact, look into ways such as social media, phone calls, or online communication that lets them maintain connections to ease their fears and lessen reluctance about moving.
7. Unpack Kid’s Rooms ASAP
Alleviate any fears or sense of discord by unpacking their rooms first after getting vital areas as the kitchen and bathroom prepped.
Allowing kids to start settling in offers a sense of stability. Let them help with unpacking, so they’ll know where their prized possessions are placed.
If redecorating is in your plans, let them help make any design and color choices that create a feeling of ownership and belonging in their new room.
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