As much as we do love them, there’s no denying that kids can succeed in making a situation a lot more stressful when we could really use the easy win. We have moved more than one with Emma Kate, and it has definitely not been my favorite. Moving day can be demanding enough, but when you have someone whose age is in the single-digits that has trouble seeing beyond their own wants and needs, it can get a lot more hectic. So, how do you deal with your kids to make sure they don’t add even more pressure to a big move?
Make sure they’re ready for the move ahead
If your kids are acting out, then it’s important to ask why. Is it just the extra stimulation of the move getting to them? Or could it be they are experiencing emotions about the upcoming change that they don’t know how to articulate, such as fear or anxiety? One way to lessen the potential of those problems is to help your child acclimate to the area before making the move. For instance, finding the opportunity to take a city break or stay in a B&B in the town you’re moving into so they can get used to the area, and maybe you can even meet some new friends or schedule a playdate for when you get there.
Get organized ahead of time
Often, it’s the unknown in the time leading up to moving day, and the day itself, that causes most of the stress. If you haven’t been preparing ahead of time, then having to pack, clean, and find movers all just before the big day is going to put pressure on everyone and your kids will feel that. They may be young, but they can definitely sense your anxiety and stress. Some tips are to arrange and secure your movers ahead of time, sell and donate what you don’t need, and start packing a couple of weeks in advance from the move, breaking it up into smaller, more manageable and less stressful tasks.
Distract them on the big day
If you want the moving day to go a lot easier for everyone, then having a little help in taking care of them, and even getting them out of the home can be a great help to everyone. If both parents are involved, one can oversee the movers and make sure all is going well there, while the other takes the kids out to KidsPark or a similar place until it’s time to make the big trip. Or the kids could stay at grandma’s and grandpa’s until the day after the move, giving you time to unpack and set up on the other side, too. We were lucky in that when we moved to Florida, she was starting school the next day so we were able to unpack while she was gone from the house.
Turn it into an adventure
Again, a lot of the “trouble” a kid might cause on the move might be due to a little anxiety on their part. If you’re worried about how they might take to the new home, you can make the first night a little more exciting for them by having an outdoor camping adventure in the backyard, for instance. A fun night with mom and dad is something to look forward to and can turn the anxiety into excitement!
Moving is going to be as stressful for your kids as it can be for you. It’s important to make sure the family has the easiest go of it possible, and the tips above can help with just that. Good luck!
