Let's face it, moving can be hard. But for children, a big move is often accompanied by fear of the unknown and anxiety over new schools and leaving friends behind. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure a smoother transition for your children. Here are seven practical tips for making moving with kids easier for everyone:
Make a list of the best features your new apartment has to offer and share them when your children start feeling down about the move. For example, your new apartment complex may have a swimming pool or a game room, or there may be many families with kids in the building. Perhaps the location is closer to your place of employment, so you can get home earlier from work. Or maybe the new apartment is closer to school, so your child will spend less time in the school bus each day. Whatever the benefits, trot them out as often as necessary to chase away the moving blues.
If your child's favorite toys, videos, or books are packed away and inaccessible, you can expect to have a crabby child on your hands in the days and weeks leading up to the move. Stress the importance of getting belongings organized and secured for relocation, but allow your child to keep at least a few favorites unpacked and ready to use until the last minute. Then, provide a box your child can use to store his things on moving day and allow him to decorate it so that it's easy to find at your new location. If possible, let him take the box along on the ride to the new apartment. Don't forget to double-check that everything gets packed up and into the car or moving truck on the big day. Few things cause more grief than forgotten playthings.
No matter how well-planned a move is, moving day is stressful. Murphy's Law often steps in to ensure that the unexpected occurs. You, and your children, may find moving less stressful if you arrange for childcare or a play date during the hectic moving process.
A.D. Thompson spent the first half of her 25-year career behind the editor’s desk, including time at Playgirl Magazine. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Orlando Sentinel and a host of other publications, print and online. Now a full-time freelancer, she is the Orlando expert for USA Today’s 10Best.com and writes about everything from Mickey Mouse to marijuana-based tourism with equal levels of enthusiasm – and occasional bouts of the munchies.