Moving into your dream home can be a real ordeal when you have to deal with children, so here are some top tips to help you move into your new home without losing your mind.
Talk to your children
First of all, you should talk to your children to explain what is going to happen and why they have to leave their old home. It is very important to clarify the whole picture in advance, so that they can be better prepared for this new reality.
Depending on the age of the children, you should give them details about the new house, how many rooms it will have, what the neighbourhood is like and the exact date when the move will take place.
It is also essential to make them understand the whole process involved in moving, i.e. collecting their personal items, packing them properly and getting rid of some things they will no longer use.
If the children are very young, it is likely that you will not have to explain so much to them, as they do not really understand what is going on around them. However, when children are older, you should talk to them to help them understand.
Moving process started
Before the move takes place, it is important to involve the children in the activities to be carried out. A few weeks before, sit down with them and plan the tasks, explaining what the process will be like and everything they will have to do.
Make a detailed plan outlining the stages of the move in chronological order, including the search for packing materials and supplies, the classification of the objects to be transported, the actual packing, the identification of the boxes, among other aspects.
Together with them, make a list of the pending tasks so that they can review it continuously, and as they carry them out, it is important that they cover them. Also, establish a daily routine and concrete goals.
Packing with your children
Children generally do not like to work and even less so when they know they will be moving to a place far away from what they know. For this reason, it is important to continuously motivate them by setting challenges, goals and rewards at the end of each activity.
To start, you can sort items into items to keep, items to discard and items to donate. Ask your children to help you identify which items go on which line, and as they do so, group and pack them.
As they pack, play with them – there is nothing more tempting for a child than to be invited to play. In this case, you can have a competition to see who can do it best, and the winner will get a prize.
When it’s time to pack, you may find items that you don’t have room for in the new home, or that you simply don’t use anymore. When this happens, you will have to decide what to do with them – throw them away, donate them or sell them. In the case of toys, involve the children so that they can decide what to do with their things.
Finally, be patient, remember that they are children and the younger they are the quicker they will get bored. So talk to them assertively, explain everything in detail and encourage them to prepare for a new life.