Moving can be stressful, so here are some tips from one of our partners on easing the stress for the youngest members of the family.
- Before you go, take a camera and visit your child’s favourite place(s). This is a great opportunity to let your child record favourite places.
- Encourage your child to stay connected with friends they are leaving behind through social media, or even as pen-pals. Let them know that staying in touch with friends is a great way of sharing news of their new home. Encourage to take photos of friends as a lovely memory.
- As much as possible, try to keep the children informed when planning the move. Where possible, take them along when visiting your new home. It may help to ease some of their ‘fears of the unknown’.
- Talking about the move with your kids is very important. Ask them to talk about how they feel. Name emotions: do you feel scared, nervous or excited? Create a forum for them to ask questions. It helps you understand how they are feeling and helps to set their minds at ease. Explain to them why you are moving. If possible, let them know what their new home will be like. Find things that they would love about the new area and discuss them. It may be just the thing for them to start to feel more positive about the move.
- Encouraging the kids to learn about their new home will also help to ease worry. Search online or in book stores to find more about your destination before you go, or ask your moving company to help.
- Once you are there, visit the library, tourist information centres or the local Chamber of Commerce; they are all good sources of information.
- Discover places like zoos, parks, museums or malls (especially for teenagers) in the new neighbourhood that they might enjoy. The internet is a great place to start.
- Before the packers arrive, make a package for each of the kids with their favourite things. Label it with their name and keep it handy during the move.
- Don’t throw away old tattered toys that are favourites. The kids will be looking for them in their new house. Let them unpack well-loved toys and put them in their new room. Give them some say in how their new room will be arranged and decorated.
- Once you arrive in your new home, assess it for possible accident areas and let the children know of unsafe and no-go areas.
- When you can, take a break from settling into the new house and spend time with the kids. New schools and new friends will mean lots of news from the kids. Stop and take the time to listen to what they have to say.
- Starting a new school can often be difficult. If you can, accompany your child for the first few days. Watch how they progress, and don’t hesitate to make an appointment with the teacher if you feel the need to.
- If you are moving to a completely different environment – a new culture or from urban to rural – let the children know about the differences and help them interpret their new home.
Visit Crown Relocations here for more information on their relocation services, or get in touch with their expert consultants for a seamless move.
