So the keys to your new home have been turned over, and it’s time to settle in! Moving into your new home can be one of the most exciting chapters of your family life but without the right preparation, it can cause stress and heartbreak for your little ones.
Here are tips on how to make your big move as smooth and painless as possible.
1. Break it to them gently, and get them ready.
For toddlers and preschoolers, share the news at least a month in advance to give them enough time to process the information and think about the changes that are going to happen.
If possible, take them on a tour of the new house and neighborhood and explore places that are important to them: the park, playground, new school (if applicable), and restaurants serving their favorite food. This will help them worry less about the move.
2. Be patient.
Experts believe that it takes children six months to get used to new surroundings and routines, so expect tantrums and periods of sadness, especially if the move separated them from people they trust like grandparents or a yaya who’s been with them since birth.
Help them gradually adjust to the distance through calls and chat sessions with those they left behind.
3. Lead by example.
Children will take cues from your behavior. If you keep on comparing your new house and neighborhood with the old one, they will begin to resent moving into your new home. If you maintain a positive attitude and highlight the wonderful things they can look forward to, they will be as excited as you are.
4. Stick to beloved routines.
Continuing to do activities they’ve grown used to like family dinners, game nights, and storytelling sessions before going to bed can be reassuring in a world which, from their perspective, has undergone a massive change.
5. Give them a voice.
Kids like to be in control, and not having a say on the decision to move or not can make them feel hurt, helpless, and unimportant. Make up for it by giving them the opportunity to voice out their opinions on concerns like what the color of the bedroom wall should be, or what pet should the family get.
6. Create opportunities for them to meet new friends.
Take them with you during meet and greet sessions with the neighbors, who might have kids in the same age group. Allow them to sign up for sports and other recreational activities where they can find peers who share the same interests. This will boost their confidence and help you worry less.
Enjoy your new home!
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