While moving is stressful enough on its own, it can be even more so when you have to pack up and move your whole family all at once. Luckily, there are ways to make moving as stress-free as possible for you and your kids. Here are some helpful tips and tricks for making moving day less stressful.
Talk your kids through it.
The biggest thing to stress about moving day is the unknown. But if you talk your kids through everything, they’ll better understand what’s happening and why. This, in turn, will help them not get too stressed on move-in day.
Allow them to ask questions and be involved in the move.
Kids want to know what’s going on, and they want to be part of the process. So, let them ask questions. Let them know that this is a significant change for the family, and it’s okay if they don’t understand everything right away. This will help ease their feelings of confusion and anxiety about the move.
Be as organised as possible.
Moving home with kids means you need to be more organised and have all your bases covered. Several variables can upend your plans, so making alternative arrangements can help you be prepared for the worst.
Make a list of all the jobs needed, and start your packing process in advance. It might be that you need some extra storage space as you sort through your belongings, or you need to store non-essential homewares and toys prior to and after the move. You may also need to look at the logistics regarding childcare on moving day or getting your new home ready for your children to explore safely. Whatever considerations you need to look at for your move, the earlier you plan for them, the easier it will be on everyone.
Choose your moving day carefully.
Choosing the perfect day to move is always a tricky decision. Of course, you want to make sure it’s low traffic and easy for your family. But you also need to be mindful of school schedules.
If you’re moving on a weekday, you’ll want to pack the night before so your kids won’t be stressed about going to school the following day. And if possible, try moving on a Saturday or Sunday so your kids will have time to adjust before heading back to class.
If you’re moving on a weekend, your child’s schedule mustn’t be interrupted too much. If they are in sports or other activities, you’ll want to plan around those events and holidays and family obligations.
Make childcare arrangements for moving day.
One of the best ways to make a moving day less stressful is by making sure that you have childcare in place. Asking family or friends to help you with even a few hours of childcare can be a lifesaver, or even consider moving partially during school days so you know you have a set block of time where you can get started and organised without too much upheaval at once. The trick is to know what will work best for your family, so you know you have the move under control while still keeping the best interests of your kids at heart.