8 Stress Reducing Tips when Moving with Kids

Posted by Bryan on June 22nd, 2018

Moving away is a process that most of us experience during our lives. It could be due to personal or professional reasons, but the fact of the matter is that if it must be done, it must be done. Moving to a new place is an overwhelming feeling for every family member because of the fear of uncertainty. But if you need to relocate to a new home with kids, this adds a whole another dimension to the relocation process. 

Relocating to an entirely new city can be really tough on the kids as compared to adults because of the feeling of lack of control. They feel that they did not have a say in the decision to relocate and it is being forced upon them. Moving to a new home with kids is a significant transition for every family as it involves leaving familiar surroundings, disruption of routine, and bidding farewell to friends. One of the best techniques to reduce stress while moving with kids is to identify the probable stressors and developing a strategy to address them. 

It is true that it is impossible to completely get rid of all the challenges associated with relocating with kids, but it is indeed possible to manage them efficiently.

Here I am listing out 8 amazing tips that will help you handle the stress when you are moving away with your kids: -

1. Make a Planned Move

As soon as you get to know about the impending relocation, do not try to hide anything from your kids. Remember, if you are feeling nervous about the moving away decision, what would be going through their minds.

Organise a family meeting and discuss the whole process of relocation with your kids. Ask them about any questions that they may have and try to answer patiently and in detail. Tell them about the wonderful experiences they can have at your new home and how they are going to have more friends to have fun with. Easing them into the moving away process is the best way to go forward.

2. Involve Kids in the whole process

You must understand that more you involve your kids in the process of relocation, the more natural the transition is going to be for them. Involve your kids wherever possible. Assign them tasks according to their capacity and make them feel a part of the whole process.

You can ask them to pack their own boxes, run yard sales to sell off additional stuff or prepare refreshments for everyone. Ask their opinion regarding the décor of your new house or their preference in terms of location. Even a little participation in the relocation decision can go a long way in changing their attitude towards their new home.

    3.  Be Open to questions

Moving away is a time-consuming process, and your kids are going to experience a whole range of emotions. Keeping an open line of communication is quintessential in such situations.  Your kids are going to have many questions regarding their new home, new school, new friends. Be a patient listener and answer all their queries. Be open and honest with them, and you will be amazed to see how much confidence this inspires in them.

    4.  Show them the new home

Carve out a short family holiday as and when you get time. Take the whole family to the new city and visit your new home, new neighbourhood, nearby shopping areas, restaurants etc. Let them get a feel of the new place. Take your kids to their new school, introduce them to their new teachers, new schoolmates. This is bound to get them excited about the whole moving away decision, and they will participate wholeheartedly in the further tasks.

   5.  Let them pack their own stuff

Try and not ask your kids to pare down on their stuff. What might seem a useless teddy to you might be your kids sleeping partner. You must understand that being an adult it is easier for you to say goodbye to your stuff, but it is not the same for kids. Let them pack their own stuff and let them have whatever they want. The last thing you want is your kids being grumpy during the whole moving away process.

  6. Get rid of stuff at night or when they are at school

Sometimes there might be a few things that your kids have stowed away in a deep corner which they don’t really use, and if you try to get rid of that in front of them, believe me, you are going to witness a big scene. So, identify the things that are entirely useless and get rid of them at night when the kids are asleep or when they are away at school.

  7. Organise a Going Away Party

To help your kids get closure about the things they used to hold dear, it would be a great idea to host a Going Away Party. Invite all their friends and neighbours so that they can say goodbye to all of them. Ask their friends to prepare a scrapbook or album as a memory of all the good times. These are the memories that your kids will cherish for life.

  8. Get set into the old routine asap

Kids usually don’t auger well with the change in their routine. So, try and give your new home a look somewhat like your old home. Organize their bedroom similar to what it was at your old home. Try and preserve any traditions that you had, such as Saturday Movie Night or Monday Ice Cream night. This will help significantly with the transition and getting back to your old life.

It is impossible to eliminate all the challenges associated with moving with kids, but these tips will help you greatly with the transition. Just follow these suggestions, and you will be amazed to see the changes in your kids’ attitude(s) regarding the moving away decision.

Author Bio:

Elijah Bowles is President of NuLyfe Moving & Storage. They are multiple, award winning Atlanta Movers. With decades of moving experience, and widely known for their exemplary service, they provide local, long distance, and commercial moving, full-service packing and storage.