Moving disrupts stability for adults, but for children who depend on routines and close community, relocating can feel devastating. The key is easing the transition with thoughtful communication and comfort-building. Get kids excited for adventures ahead through involvement and empowerment.

With creativity and special celebratory touches, families can embrace fresh starts together. This list of parent-tested techniques focuses on fostering security so kids feel excited, not anxious when moving.

1. Break the News Early

Don’t unexpectedly spring your upcoming move on children in the same conversation as breaking the news to movers. Give kids significant lead time – ideally a few months if possible – to process the idea of leaving their schools and friends. Provide plenty of space for them to ask questions and express their feelings too.

2. Hire a Professional Removalist 

Take the stress out of moving day with professional help so that you can focus more on the kids. Movers lift literal and figurative weight off parents’ shoulders. Their expertise and manpower expedite packing, transporting heavy items, and placing furniture efficiently so you can focus on comforting the kids. Bringing in professional reinforcement allows parents more quality time bonding with little ones through reassuring conversations and fun explorations of their fresh environment right away instead of wearing themselves out solo for weeks. Support services let families adjust together.

3. Frame It as an Adventure 

Instead of focusing only on what your kids may miss about your old house, hype up what awaits in your new hometown! Watch videos about awesome nearby playgrounds, trails and kid hot spots. Print out maps to pick potential routes to walk to school. Discuss cool activities like scoping out the new neighborhood, joining local sports teams, and hosting new friends for playdates.

4. Pack Their “Favorites” Bin First

Have kids decorate a plastic bin by collaging cutouts from magazines that represent their most cherished belongings. They can fill it with beloved items like their security blanket, favorite stuffed animals, sentimental toys, cherished books, cozy pajamas or must-watch movies. Since this container loads last in the moving truck and gets unpacked first, children always know right where their comfort goods are.

5. Assign Age-Appropriate Moving Tasks

Depending on their ages and coordination levels, give children unpacking duties like arranging their bookshelf, making their bed with new sheets, hanging clothes in the closet, or displaying beloved knickknacks. Bigger kids may even track packing progress on a wall calendar! This hands-on involvement promotes independence and investment in their new space.

6. Let Them Pick Decor Touches 

Before move-in day, take kids shopping at home furnishing stores to select a couple of special items for their new rooms – perhaps bold patterned bedding, lamps with fun shapes, wall decals of their hobbies, or even a fresh color coat of paint! The autonomy over personalizing their new space builds genuine excitement.

7. Explore Together Afterward 

The first weeks can feel isolating and uncertain in an unfamiliar environment, especially if you’re undertaking a long-distance move. Push past that by regularly taking mini excursions as a family, like hiking new nature trails or biking around the neighborhood to discover playgrounds and kid-approved cafés. Making memories bonded over navigating their new stomping grounds eases the transition.

8. Schedule Playdates ASAP 

Right away, seek out classmates’ parents or neighborhood families with kids the same age. Swapping numbers and coordinating get-togethers gives your little ones a chance to make connections, share moving adventures, and avoid feeling lonely. If they forge friendships quickly, they’ll associate the relocation with positive new bonds.

9. Stick to Bedtime Routines

In an unfamiliar new bedroom, kids may resist going to sleep or wake up more frequently during the first week. Maintain consistency by performing your usual soothing bedtime rituals – giving a calming bath, telling favorite stories and singing special songs. Kids draw comfort from routine and beloved traditions.

10. Set Up Their Rooms First 

Unpacking adult spaces can likely wait a few days but you want children to feel comforted right away. Make organizing kids’ bedrooms a top priority after moving furniture in so beloved toys, books, clothes and other treasures are quickly accessible in their private haven rather than buried in boxes.

11. Celebrate the New Chapter 

On move-in day, welcome kids into their exciting “new world” that you’ll explore together! Order their favorite pizza dinner and cue up a beloved family movie with popcorn. Emphasize what a fresh start this is for new memories and relationships to blossom in your new abode!

With empathy and patience, parents can ease kids through moving transitions. Helping kids feel informed and reassured ensures the whole family feels excited about this new chapter!

The post Moving House With Kids: 11 Ways To Make It Easier first appeared on Stuff Parents Need.