Moving with Younger Children

Moving affects everyone in the family, and it can be especially unnerving for younger children. Kids tend to thrive on the consistency of their surroundings, and moving eliminates much of that consistency. Here are some general tips on making the transition easier:

1. Make sure you talk to your kids about moving, what the new place will be look, and what they should expect. Trying to keep it a secret is almost never a good idea.
2. Be reassuring- kids will pick up quickly on the fact that everyone is feeling the stress of the upcoming move. Be honest in telling kids that things will be a bit stressful and "up in the air" for a short period of time, but that things will settle down and feel normal again after the move. Remind them of things that won't be changing, whether that involves possessions, daily activities, family members, etc.
3. Let kids participate in age-appropriate activities prior to Moving Day, whether that's marking boxes, packing their toys or stuffed animals, organizing their belongings, etc.
4. Get a children's book on moving for smaller kids. Consider “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day.”
5. If appropriate, let children pick their room in the place.
6. If possible, let kids pick a decoration (poster, light switch, name banner, etc.) for their new room. If that doesn't work, let them pick from two or three different paint colors that you pick out so that they "get a vote."
7. Pack a kid's sized suitcase and let each child pick out a special toy to keep with them and a special outfit to wear on "new home day."
8. If the child has a special dish or cup, include it in the kitchen "Open Me First" box so familiar items await them at their new place.
9. Consider unpacking the kids' rooms first, or at least their "Open Me First" boxes to help them settle in.

Following these simple guidelines can remove a lot of stress in moving with small children. For more information, please visit our free moving checklist and moving tips at http://www.movers-edge.com. One of our more popular articles is on finding movers and moving companies, available at http://www.movers-edge.com/Movers-s/2.htm.