Moving tips
Smooth Sailing: Moving With Children
By TLC Moving & Storage · Published 14 September 2016
Many parents focus on the bigger picture of a move and forget about the children. Prepare them honestly, plan their moving day, and help them settle in, and the move goes smoother for everyone.
Three stages of moving with children
Plan for each stage:
Preparing with kids
Moving day
Settling in
What moving with children involves
Moving with children has three stages: preparing them before the move, moving day itself, and settling in afterwards. Preparing means telling them honestly why you are moving, giving them time to say goodbye and letting them help pack. Moving day works best as a family activity, and settling in means checking in with the little ones a few weeks later.
Why children need their own place in the moving plan
As many of us have no doubt experienced at some point, moving can be a stressful experience. Many parents make the mistake of only focusing on the bigger picture and forget about the children. Say for example that you are moving for a new job, you’ve just bought a house, or you simply want a better place for your family.
The little ones in your household will be affected by the move regardless of what the bigger picture looks like.
Preparing With Kids
The first thing you’ll want to do after you have decided to move is to make sure moving will not be unnecessarily stressful for you as a parent. If you are located or are moving to Ottawa for instance, think about visiting moving services in Ottawa.
You will be provided with practical advice on how to arrange for a smooth transition from your old place to your new home. Moving companies in Ottawa, Ontario can help you organize your schedule and provide you with tips for packing milestones.
Once you have your moving company on board and a working schedule in hand, now is the time to talk to your child. Depending on how old your children are, you may want to make sure you give them enough time to digest the news. Explain to them why you’re moving, why it is best for the family to change homes, and (most importantly) be honest.
They will probably miss their friends, so give them time to say goodbye and time to collect souvenirs. It also helps to let your child participate in the packing process. This will help with the transition process. If the child knows where the box with their special items is, they will be able to enjoy something they are already familiar with.
Families moving to another city can read about long-distance moving.
Moving Day
Think about moving day as a big family activity. If you have friends and family who are able to join in, the more people the merrier. That being said, don’t get carried away by the moving itself that you forget to check on the little ones. Remember to pack fresh drinks and snacks in a cooler.
Have a plan for lunch and dinner beforehand, because you may not have time to actually cook on that day. Remember to pack disposable plates, cups, and utensils, as well as paper towels and a garbage bag.
Settling In
A few weeks after your move, you may want to check in with the little ones again to see how they are doing. How do they like the new place? Have they made new friends? Do they feel safe? At this point, you’ll also want to double check whether you know where all your important documents are.
Perhaps there is one more box in a corner somewhere. Do not wait too long to unpack medical records, school papers, and other documents of the sort.
And there you have it—you’ve moved successfully! Take the time to plan ahead, and stick to your plan when moving day comes. Don’t get too caught up in the finer details, and be ready to adapt as need be. Your kids will take their cues from your behaviour, so if you’re relaxed and upbeat, they’re bound to enjoy the moving experience too.
Questions about moving with TLC
How do I prepare my kids for a move?
Once you have your moving company on board and a working schedule in hand, now is the time to talk to your child. Depending on how old your children are, you may want to make sure you give them enough time to digest the news.
What do I do with kids on moving day?
Think about moving day as a big family activity. If you have friends and family who are able to join in, the more people the merrier. That being said, don’t get carried away by the moving itself that you forget to check on the little ones.
How do I help kids settle into a new home?
A few weeks after your move, you may want to check in with the little ones again to see how they are doing. How do they like the new place?
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