Moving day is a big experience for your children. After all, they are leaving familiar surroundings to move to a new home. Your child may be feeling excited or anxious about the move, so it is important to help them through the experience. One idea is to keep them involved during moving day.
Involvement May Help Them Feel Better
Involving your children in the move may help them to feel better about moving to a new home. Small tasks such as packing a bag for the car and choosing their new bedroom give them a sense of control in the situation. Involving your little ones can also help them to process their feelings about the move.
They Can Create Their New-Home Wishlist
You can also help them to get excited about the move by asking them to create a wishlist for their new home. They may want a new toy box for their bedroom or a shelf for their snacks in the pantry. You can even ask them to draw a map of their new bedroom to prepare for unpacking and decorating their space.
Assigning Roles Keeps Them Occupied
If your child is excited about the move, they may run around and get in the way of your movers and peers. This could lead to frustration on what may already be a stressful day. It is best to assign roles as a way to keep your children occupied and out of the way. Smaller children can help you pack toys and games, while older children can help you pack and label boxes.
You Can Keep Them Safe While Moving
The last thing you want is for your children to get hurt during the moving process. You can get them involved without putting them in harm's way by keeping the above tips in mind. Encouraging them to draw a map of their new home or pack up their bedroom keeps them away from tripping hazards, sharp objects, and heavy furniture.
It may be tempting to set up a tablet or provide puzzles to keep your children busy during your move. However, it is important to find ways to involve them in the moving process. You can assign roles such as packing up their bedroom, or you can ask them to create a new-home wishlist. When you involve your children during moving day, you can help them to process their feelings, gain a sense of control and feel excited about the move.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke @BrookeChaplan