If you think back to some of the most stressful experiences in your life, it’s likely that Moving House will be among them. Years ago, when we moved our toddler and baby from one house to another, I can remember crumpling into an exhausted and emotional heap. We had international guests coming to stay a few days after we moved in, and Christmas was also looming. There was the old house to be cleaned and the new house to be set up, children to be settled, Christmas shopping to do and guests to entertain. One night, seeing my distress, my husband ordered me to bed, while he stayed up into the wee hours assembling furniture and unpacking boxes. Yep, moving house with kids can be stressful, yet it can be exciting and rewarding too.

There’s a lot you can do to ease the strain on the family, and to make the whole process run as smoothly as possible. We asked you, the Be a Fun Mum community for your tips, and you came up with some rippers! We hope these ideas help make your next move a family adventure, and not a misadventure!

• Organise a family meeting and discuss the moving plans with your kids, if they are old enough to understand. Involve them in some of the decision making, where possible.

• Visit your new house or take a virtual tour online, to help familiarise them with their new home.

• Read books from the library about families that have moved house to help prepare them for the move.

• Research your new area, with your children, so you can all get excited about the new opportunities the move will bring.

• Tell your children stories about previous moves you’ve had, especially the funny and good points about those moves.

• Accept any and all offers of help! Try not to take on too much yourself and don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help.

• Reassure your children about the change. If you are moving far away, consider having a “see you soon” party before you leave. Also...Read More