Moving house can be a tricky time for children too. Children are
very receptive to our feelings and would have picked up on your stress about
your upcoming move, whether or not they are outwardly showing it. Children love
routine and when they’re suddenly eating breakfast with a plastic bowl off of a
make shift box table, they can be pretty unsettled. I’ve put this blog together
to give some tips about how to make moving house less
stressful for the smaller people in the household.
Books
To help children with moving house, adding a new story into the
bedtime routine may help them feel more settled and give them a better understanding
of what will happen. Shirley Hughes has a lovely book called ‘Moving Molly’,
available on Amazon –Moving
Molly. Usborne also have a more factual book called ‘Moving House’ that
takes the child through the process of moving (although the family going for a
walk on moving day seems a bit unrealistic!) This title is also available on
Amazon – Usborne-Moving
House. Sharing a book will give you the opportunity to answer any questions
that might crop up as a result of reading the book.
Packing
Having your favourite things crammed into a box must be pretty
traumatic for a child so try to leave the packing of their things to the very
last minute. A few weeks before you move, make a plan of when you will pack
each room, including materials you’ll need (boxes, tape, tissue paper etc) so
you can keep a track on how much you are using and ask your removal company for
more if you are running low (as opposed to once you have completely run out of
boxes two days before your move). If money allows, ask your removal company to pack for you.
This takes a lot of stress off of you, and definitely makes the ride easier for
the little ones too.
Visit
If possible, once you are getting close to completion, arrange an
extra visit of the new house with your estate agent. Encourage your child to
bring their favourite toy and they could give their toy their very own private
tour of the new house, to get them excited and give them a sense of ownership
of the house. While you’re there, ask your child where they would like their
bed etc to go and maybe ask them to help you measure some spaces to help them
feel useful. Visit your local park and any other points of interest so they get
used to their surroundings and become excited, not anxious about your upcoming house move. Check
out local playgroups and attend one if possible. It’s also worth checking
Facebook for local chat groups such as Whitstable Mum’s. Join
the group in advance and suss out local events and groups.
Moving house with a child doesn’t have to fill you with dread.
If you plan well ahead, including extra childcare where possible, and include
them in the move where you can, explaining the day and process carefully, it
should all go well. Failing that, there’s always snacks and Fireman Sam to help
you through the packing process (and wine for you). Mounts Removals can also
help with the packing if you’d rather leave it to the professionals. Call us on
01227 656301 for a free quotation and to talk to us about our many packing
options.
