Moving house is stressful for anyone, no matter what age or stage of life. As a parent, moving home gets even trickier when you need to pack up all your child’s favourite things and get them settled in a new environment.
Change is scary, and for children, it can be very unsettling. So how can you make your house move a more positive experience?
Our experienced team of estate agents at Brookings operate in Romford, Upminster, Barking and throughout East London and Essex. We know how difficult moving with children can be, so we’ve pulled together our top tips for making that big move a kid-friendly adventure.
Read on for 7 ways to make your family move less stressful.
1. Get Talking
No matter how old your child is, it’s never a good idea to keep the move a secret or to avoid talking about it. Moving house will affect them, especially if it involves a new area and/or a new school. It’s important to talk about the reasons why you’re moving such as a lack of space or bigger garden. Focus on the positives of the new house and get them used to the idea of change as early as you can.
2. Get Them Involved
Once you’ve found the right property and you’ve exchanged contracts, see if you can arrange a viewing and take your child or children with you. Let them explore their new home and discover it for themselves. If it needs renovations or decoration, talk about how it will look different and how you will make it feel homely and cosy. Once they have seen the new property, they will be able to imagine themselves there rather than just talking about the idea of a new house.
3. Let Them Choose Their Room
Whilst this may not always be possible, if you can give them a choice, it might help make the transition a bit easier. Giving them the choice of their room will help them feel in control. Alternatively, if their room has already been allocated, talk them through where they want to put their favourite toys or where they want their bed to be.
In addition, make the room feel their own by letting them choose how to decorate or what pictures they would like to put up. For example, choose a small selection of suitable wallpapers or paint colours, and then let them have the final say.
4. Take them Exploring
If you’re moving to a new area, then it’s worth planning a family day out. Whether it’s a trip to the local park, a nearby coffee shop or even a walk around the area, help your kids discover the new neighbourhood so the concept of moving feels less frightening. Helping your children become more familiar with the new location is a great way to calm those nerves
5. Special Moving Box
When you’re packing up and heaving boxes back and forth, it’s easy for things to get lost in the chaos. One way to avoid misplacing special toys or trinkets is by giving your child a special moving-in box. Encourage them to pack their favourite things in their box to help them feel less stressed about losing things, to make your life easier when you get to the new place and to give them a sense of ownership.
6. Make it a Celebration
Moving in day will be a big deal for the whole family, so make sure you celebrate it. You could order everyone’s favourite takeaway or get a celebratory cake or even give your child a moving-in gift. By marking the day as a special one, not only will your child feel excited and more relaxed, but they’ll feel like the new home is a new beginning for you all. Buying a new home is cause for a celebration, so make sure you all enjoy it!
7. Stick to their Routine
You might be knee-deep in boxes and tired of unpacking, but as a parent you will know that sticking to routine is only going to help calm those first night jitters. Focus on getting your child’s/children’s rooms sorted first. And when it comes to bedtime, keep things as similar to their normal routine as possible. The more relaxed they are, the more likely they are to sleep in their new environment, giving you the chance to relax and unwind too.
About Brookings
We’ve been helping families move and sell their homes all over East London and Essex since 2008. And we’re ready to help you take that next step on the property ladder too.
If you’re looking for a new property, or you’re planning to sell, give us a call on 0208 591 9088 so we can help.
