Swapping one home for another is a stressful experience for just about anyone. It’s messy, time-consuming, and an overall hassle. However, it’s an even bigger stressor for children. They have absolutely no idea what’s going on around them and can’t possibly control the situation. This causes a whole lot of frustration for both them and you as a parent. On the other hand, if you thought that organizing a family move without losing your mind was impossible, think again. As long as you deal with the situation early on and follow the tips we’ve compiled in this guide, your move can definitely be a success.

Organizing a family move without losing it

Of course, nobody can guarantee that your relocation will be entirely pain-free. Nonetheless, knowing that other people have successfully gone through the same process with their loved ones should bring you some comfort. Also, there are certain steps you can take to ensure a seamless and simple family move.

Talk to your children beforehand

The key to helping your little ones cope with moving is to have an honest conversation with them. If your kids are small, the best you can do is talk to them. On the other hand, if they are a bit bigger, you could even include them in the actual process. While explaining the situation and the details of your relocation, try not to focus just on the things that will change. Instead, talk about the things that will remain the same. Knowing that your kid’s favorite teddy bear will be making the move with them can be quite a reassurance.

Get your kids to help

Since you will have plenty of tasks to complete while organizing a family move, getting help from your youngster could be just the thing both of you need. By letting them take part in the actual process, you give them a sense of control in a situation that would otherwise be out of their hands. As for what exactly the kids can do, it’s entirely up to you to decide. Just make sure their assignment is neither too challenging nor something that can end with them getting hurt. For example, letting them pack their own stuff could be a perfect task for the older and younger children. They could also help you label the boxes so you’ll have an easier time unpacking. And if they would like to choose the color of their new room, let them; anything for the peace of mind.

Still, involving your kids in the move doesn’t necessarily mean they will accept it straight away. Once you’ve successfully relocated, you must give them time to adjust to a new place. It could take a day, a week, or even a couple of months. Just make sure not to rush it and let them deal with it on their own terms.

Get help from relatives and friends

On the other hand, if your children are small, chances are you don’t want them inside the house while you deal with the packing. Seeing their favorite toy stashed away inside a box could cause a tantrum you don’t really want to deal with during the process. To avoid the scenario, try asking your relatives or friends to keep an eye on the little ones while you handle the family move aspects. Additionally, if you need an extra pair of hands to finish the work, you could ask for their assistance as well.

Declutter your old place

Decluttering should be done regardless of whether you are relocating with your family or not. You could also make it into a game. Cover each room and task your kids with finding items they think you no longer need. You can also create two bins. The first one can be for things you don’t need but can sell, and the second one for the things you will throw away. Your children can also help you organize the sale and earn a percentage from each sold item.

Pack smart

We cannot stress enough the importance of labeling boxes when organizing a family move. It can save you an enormous amount of time and help you stay safe and organized while moving houses. In addition to naming the boxes, you should also strive to keep all essential things, such as documents, in one place. Also, if your kid doesn’t want to be separated from their toys, you could get them a box or a bag that will stay with them during the entire transport. They can keep all their valuables here without worrying that someone will lose them.

Familiarize yourself with the place you are moving to

Take as much time as you can to learn as many things as you can about the place you are moving to. Once you’ve done your research, make sure to inform your children of everything you’ve learned. Talk about the activities they can perform in the area, about the weather, schools, pretty much anything that might interest them. The older kids can even research on their own to find out exactly what kind of opportunities the new place holds. Since most kids are visual learners, taking them to see the actual neighborhood and the new home could help curb their anxiety even further.

Remember that emotions are a big part of the process

You can’t just expect children to accept the idea of moving without having an emotional reaction. After all, how would you react if someone told you you’d be leaving everything you know behind? Your friends, your family. You would feel devastated, wouldn’t you? The difference between children and grown-ups is that, while we may be able to hide our feelings, little ones cannot. They deal with feelings the only way they can, by expressing them.

When organizing a family move, keep in mind that, sooner or later, you will certainly need to deal with emotional outbursts. Thankfully, social media is capable of providing kids with some relief. It allows them to stay in touch with their friends and loved ones, thus lessening their overall sadness.