Although children are very resilient and usually adapt well to new surroundings, they can initially struggle when moving to a new home. It’s even more likely to happen if moving to a new area, which involves a change of school and non-familiar territory. It may cause you a bit of concern, as you don’t know how long it will take for them to adjust, but there are things you can do that may make it easier.
Here are 4 tips for moving to a new home with children.
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Take them to visit the property before move-in day
If they haven’t already seen the property, arranging with the current owners to have another viewing with the kids in tow is a good idea. Make a point of showing them their bedroom and having a brief chat about some of the things they might want to do when they move in.
After seeing their new home, your kids will hopefully be excited rather than concerned about the move.
Let them get involved in packing and unpacking
Involving the kids with the packing and unpacking is a great way to keep them busy and make them feel included. Once you move in, let them sort and put away their own belongings. It will help with the settling-in process and make them feel like they have some responsibility.
Once they have unpacked, spend a bit of time finding out if they would like any décor changes made to their room or if they need any additional furniture. It will give them something to look forward to and help to take their mind off things.
Make them feel safe and secure
Your kids might find it difficult to sleep in their new home when they first move in. It can be daunting, and they may worry about how safe they are. The good news is there are several things you can do to make them feel more at ease. If your kids are older, explain to them that you have security for your home in place to keep you all safe.
If you have a home automation system that allows you to do so, set their lights on a timer so that they are on before they go to bed and don’t go off until they go to sleep. Tuck them in with any favorite toys they have and try not to worry – in a few days, they should feel a lot more content.
Get to know your neighbors
A great way to make kids feel settled in a new home is knowing that other kids live nearby. If your neighbors have children of similar ages, why not pop by and introduce yourselves? The idea of having some new friends to play with will be a great weight off your children’s minds and a huge relief for you too.
Moving home can be a stressful time, and although your kids might not feel settled straight away, it shouldn’t take too long for it to feel like home.
