Moving can be an overwhelming experience for children. While you may be looking forward to your new house and neighborhood, they may be thinking about the things they are leaving behind. You can help by preparing them for what’s to come — turning a stressful experience into a great adventure. Here’s how.
Talk to Them
Communication is key when it comes to prepping for a move. Have age-appropriate conversations with your children. Use picture books to explain moving to toddlers and preschool-age children. Older children will have questions. Answer them honestly. Be sure to validate feelings of sadness or anger. Constantly talk to them about their new home, neighborhood and school.
Take Them With You
If you are planning to move to a new home community like Sunterra, take them with you to tour model homes. Ask their opinion. Discuss your likes and dislikes together. Be sure to let them know their new home may not have all the bells and whistles found in a model. If they are old enough, take them to the design center. Let them voice their opinions about paint colors, flooring and more.
Explore the Neighborhood
You aren’t just moving to a new home. You are moving to a new neighborhood. This can be hard on kids. If your home is being built, take them to see the progress. Stop off at the community’s playground or tour the amenities. If this is a long-distance move, visit the community’s website. Get them excited by asking them what they want to do first.
Do Your Research
Research clubs and extracurriculars around your new home and sign up ahead of time. If your child can immediately jump into ballet class or basketball practice, they’ll start making new friends faster. Visit the website for their new school or call and ask if you can take a tour.
Involve Them
Kids don’t get to make the decision to move. Give them back some control by involving them in the planning process. Allow them to participate in decisions such as choosing their new room’s color, furniture or decorations. Have them create a moving planner or calendar, so they know what to expect and when.
Maintain a Familiar Schedule
We get it. Moving is stressful and there are a hundred things to do. Even so, it’s important to keep to a regular routine during the moving process. Stick to regular mealtimes, bedtimes and family activities to provide stability and a sense of normalcy.
Pack Together
As tempting as it may be to pack your kid’s things yourself, let them do it. Allow them to decorate their moving boxes. Encourage them to sort and declutter their possessions, donating items they no longer need or use. If they have favorite items and are concerned about losing them in the move, create a special “go” bag to put in the car.
Be Sure to Say Farewell
Throw a farewell party a few weeks before the move date. For younger children, buy an address book and have the guests fill in their contact information. Older kids probably keep that information in their phones already. If you aren’t moving too far away, set up a playdate in advance so kids have something to look forward to. If it’s a long-distance move, set up a Zoom or FaceTime call.
It’s Moving Day
If you are using movers, send kids to a relative’s or neighbor’s house. If you are packing a truck, let the kids help. They can carry boxes to the truck and look for anything that might get left behind. Once you get to your new home, set up their room first. A familiar space will lessen the impact. Alternatively, have one parent supervise unloading the moving truck and send the other with the kids to explore or enjoy your new community’s amenities.
