Moving can be a stressful time for the whole family, but it can be especially tough for kids. On moving day, there will be movers coming in and out of your home, packing and moving heavy items. It can be confusing, and if your little ones get mixed up in all the commotion, they could be injured.
Let’s keep your children happy, comfortable, safe and entertained throughout the whole process with these easy tips:
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Encourage your kids to pack themselves so that they are involved in the moving process.
They can have their own boxes and suitcases that they are responsible for. Give them color codes, paint, markers or fun stickers to stick on the boxes that belong in their room. It will keep them busy and make it easier for them to identify which boxes hold their possessions when they arrive in your new home. This can help ease any apprehension about their most treasured toys being lost during the move.
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Give each child a backpack to fill with overnight items so that you don’t have to search boxes when the moving truck arrives to your new home.
Include a toothbrush, pajamas, favorite stuffed animal, favorite blanket, favorite bedtime story, pillow, handheld electronic games and a change of clothes. They should keep their favorite toys with them to offer comfort as well as ensure safe passage to your new home.
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Keep them occupied.
If your children are old enough, have books, board games, coloring books or other low-maintenance toys to keep them occupied as you may be tied up helping with the moving process. Keep a cooler with snacks and drinks in the room as well.
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Wait to throw away items.
If you’re planning on getting rid of items your children no longer use, try to do the weeding out well in advance of the move or wait until after you are settled in the new home. This will prevent the children from associating moving day with an unsettling loss.
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Plan their new bedroom.
Tell your children that they will have the opportunity to help decorate their new room by allowing them to pick out room colors or other fun items such as a bean bag chair, inexpensive tent, or a wall decal of their favorite cartoon character. You can give them a floor plan before you move in, so that they can decide where they want their belongings to go.
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Let children unpack their belongings first.
Moving somewhere new is quite the adjustment for your kids, so make them feel important. Before you dive right into unpacking the kitchen, living room or dining room, allow each child to select one of their own boxes and take a few items out.
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Hire professional movers for your local or long-distance move.
From full-service moving capabilities to storage options, Elite Moving & Storage can assist you with every aspect of your move, even unpacking your boxes and putting every last item where it belongs! If you don’t have to bother with the logistics of your move, you will have more time to focus on tending to your children.