Moving house is stressful enough when there’s just one or two of you, but throw a child or two into the mix and the tension can ramp up tenfold! If you’re buying a property in Cheltenham for you and your family to live in then we have a few pointers for you to make the transition nice and smooth (ish).
Explain exactly what “moving house” means
Younger children sometimes think that “moving house” means you’ll be taking the house with you! When they find out they’ll be getting an entirely new bedroom, they might feel unsettled and worry that they’ll be leaving all their toys and possessions behind. Reassure them that while you won’t be taking the house with you, all the things inside it that make it a home are coming with you. Talk them through what to expect in the run up to and on moving day so they’re prepared.
Take them to see their new home and neighbourhood
Visiting the new home and surroundings is a great idea as you can point out all the great things they’ll have to look forward to. Go for a day out in Cheltenham so your children find Pittville Park and all the ice cream places they’ll be going to. If you have a Cheltenham school already lined up, ask if your child can spend a morning there to get familiar with the place, as well as any new uniform involved.
Ask them if they have any worries
There’s the obvious worries, such as leaving toys and friends behind, but your children might also be worrying about things you haven’t thought of. It’s not unheard of for children to worry about the old house being lonely or neglected after they’ve gone, so listen to their worries, no matter how trivial or unrealistic, and reassure them.
Choose moving day wisely
For some children, it’s easier to move during a school day (if you’re not moving far, of course!) so that they’re occupied and in a familiar routine. Older children might want to be more involved with the final packing up and saying goodbye to neighbours and friends, so a weekend or holiday period might be better for them. You know your children best, so make sure you choose the easiest day for them.
Make a game of it
From seeing how many squishy toys can cram together in a box to drawing a nice picture for the new owners, you can get your children engaged with the whole moving process. You might be feeling the stress, but keep it light and find enjoyment in this major life event.
Get them packing!
The best way to allay fears of leaving prized possessions behind is to get your children to wrap up and pack their essentials and treasures so they know they’ll be making the journey to the new house. Even if your children only pack away a few things, it’s a few things that YOU don’t have to pack!
Label boxes very clearly
It’s very easy to label boxes with “clothes”, “books” and so on and tell yourself that you’ll remember which box contains which. You can’t! When it comes to labelling your children’s boxes, make sure you list the contents in as much detail as possible and reserve a very clearly-labelled special box for the most prized items. You can thank us later.
You don’t have to pack everything
Some of your children’s toys, books, squashies and clothes are simply non negotiable – they stay in the picture no matter what. These items can travel with you in the car to the new house – younger children will find having their favourite things around them comforting and they’ll also not worry so much about them getting lost en route.
Unpack your children’s things first
Better still, let them unpack their toy boxes while you unpack the kettle… Getting reacquainted with all their books and special items will help your children to make their new bedroom theirs – as well as keep them occupied for a few minutes.
You can pitch in with the big stuff like beds later and, depending on their age and understanding, decide whether to stick to your usual bedtime routine or let them stay up a bit longer to mark this momentous occasion.
