Moving
house can be a traumatic experience for young children. Whether you're moving
across town or across the country, having to pack up the house and move is
unsettling for children who may not understand. Using these tips can ease the transition
of packing and moving house with children.
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An
explanation of the move with a preschool-aged child could go like this: Billy, Dad got a new job and we're going to
be moving into a new house. In the next couple weeks, we will be packing our
things into boxes and on moving day, everything will go with us. All the
furniture, toys, the television, and blankets are going with us to our new
home. Does that sound like fun?
Go Through the Child's Room With
Them
During this step, be aware that children will try to hold
onto their things a little more tightly than they usually would. Moving is all
about change and the more their lives are changing, the tighter they'll hold on
to the things they can. Children often feel like their losing so many things
they love when they move - school, friends, teachers, playgrounds, a home they
love - that they'll want to keep that old doll or ragged sweater - things that
make them feel secure.
If
possible, provide older children with a blueprint or room dimensions of their
own space. Describe what things their room will hold or if new furniture may be
needed. Try to get them to imagine their new space and start to design how
they'd like their new room to look - talk about colors and designs, storage
ideas, work spaces and reading spots. This will help them sort and select the
items they want to keep for their new spaces.
Simplify
the process by making a packing plan and schedule. If possible, commit to
packing up one whole room every 2 to 3 days. Have less time? Get some pizza and
wine and host a moving party for your friends. Find a consistent,
out-of-the-way place to keep the taped-up boxes for each room, whether
it’s stacked up in the corner or in the basement.
