Moving with children can possibly be a traumatic experience for both the kids and the adults. Homes are more than simply shelters that we live in. They represent friendships, connections, memories and emotions.  Moving into a new house represents a giant leap into the unknown and this is especially true for children who are just beginning to understand their world and the home represents a safe anchor that the children find safety as they go out to explore the world.

Looking at a home from a child’s perspective will then give you a clue on why moving can be so stressful for children. The move can represent a distortion of all they hold safe and this turbulence in their lives can lead to tantrums, mood changes and other emotional reactions that will make moving much harder. How then can a parent make moving much easier for children? In this post, you will find out about some common mistakes that parents make when moving with children.

Not Telling The Children About The Move Earlier

One of the worst things you can do is to hide the fact that you are moving. While you might imagine that it might be easier for the children if they don’t know you are moving, children are very perceptive and can pick up on clues that something is about to happen.

But perhaps reflecting on how startling it would be for you to come home and find movers packing and shifting your household items, you can have a better idea of how this would impact on children who have a far greater emotional connection with their homes than adults, and understand the world less than we do. Explaining to the children about the move gently and carefully will help the children prepare mentally and be ready for the move when it happens.

Handling Everything Yourself

Moving is an extremely difficult thing to do and handling nervous and excitable children while moving simply complicates the process even more. While it represents an additional cost, one of the best things that you can do is to hire a professional mover to help handle the moving process while you focus on managing your children. This will help make the transition much smoother and less painful which will enable the kids to settle more easily in their new home.

Being Unrealistic About What The Kids Can Do Or Can’t Do

While it is a good idea to get the kids to help in one way or the other, it is good to be realistic about what the kids can actually do. Moving requires professional experience and at minimum adult intervention. Imagining that your kids can pack up as well as a professional mover is being unrealistic and at its worst, could lead to safely problems.

A better approach would be to have professional movers handle the move but let the kids also participate in packing a few items (like their toys) so that they feel part of the process. This way, you ensure a smooth and painless transition while giving your kids a role in the move.

As you can see, moving with kids doesn’t have to be painful. With some careful thought and planning, you can make your house move much easier for the children and even perhaps make it an exciting adventure that they can enjoy.