It’s normal for children to feel like they have no control over a move. Additionally, they find it hard to say goodbye to friends.
Help children transition to a new home following tips from experienced movers:
Talk about the move:
When you include the children in your move, they will handle the move better. Explain to them why you’re moving and let them understand how important the change is to the entire family.
Take a virtual or personal tour with the children:
Walk the children through each room and discuss the activities which will happen there. Ask how they would like to organize the space and allow them enough time to explore.
Use an essentials box:
Encourage the children to collect and pack their treasured toys, books and games together in one box. Involve them in packing their own rooms and creating an essentials box.
When to unpack children’s rooms:
After the essential items in the kitchen are unpacked, start unpacking the children’s rooms. The sooner they unpack their rooms, the quicker they adjust to the new space.
Stick to routines:
Children like schedules and routines from mealtimes to playtimes and bedtime. Stick to what your children know as their normal day so they adjust more quickly and feel more settled.
Meet the neighbor kids:
Help the children settle in the new neighborhood by walking outside to explore the new neighborhood. Consider hosting a neighborhood get-together to meet the other kids in the neighborhood.
Take a week off work:
Be home for the first week to allow yourself routine time with the children, especially if you are starting a new job.
Enroll the kids in school:
Let your children join school as soon as possible. This will help them make new friends and also adjust very quickly.
If you plan to move within the state of Oklahoma, call 918-271-7400 for more information about K-BOX.