Moving house can be a very stressful event, and this is magnified considerably in children. Your child's fear of the unknown, fear of change and the desire to stay in the only home they've ever known, are a few reasons why your child may become anxious or scared at the prospect of moving home. Here are three ways to minimise the stress of moving house for your child.
1. Prevent their exposure to the packing and removal process
Although you will most likely want to start the packing process earlier rather than later, try to prevent the house from becoming too desolate and unrecognisable to your child. In particular, leave their bedroom as intact as you can until the last minute. This will provide them with the security that they need in the lead up to the move.
It's also a good idea to make sure your child isn't present when the removalists arrive to pack up your belongings. They may be quite traumatised by seeing their belongings being handled and moved by complete strangers. If possible, have your child cared for by a friend or family member on moving day.
2. Unpack and set up the new house before your child arrives
Walking into a chaotic house full of boxes and dismantled furniture can be distressing for your child. If possible, try to get as much of the arranging and unpacking done so they are able to see familiar furniture and belongings in the new environment. If you don't have time to do it completely, at least arrange the main pieces of furniture and store unpacked boxes and bags out of sight.
Try to make sure that your child's room is all set up. You may not get every single item unpacked, but make sure you have their bed set up and made up with familiar bedding. Unpack any especially-loved toys unpacked. You can make this easier for yourself by packing a dedicated box with the necessary items in it.
3. Be patient as your child adjusts to the move
Like any stressful life event, it may take your child a little while to adjust to moving house. The unfamiliar new home may feel scary to them until they get used to it. Leaving a light on at night can help with this. You may also need to be patient if they take a longer time to go to sleep or visit your bedroom in the night.
It's also a good idea to create some special and fun new memories in your new home. Having a family slumber party in the lounge room or a special movie and pizza night are good examples of this. You could also throw a small, child-friendly housewarming party to mark the occasion.
Children crave stability and familiarity, and moving house can make children feel vulnerable. By taking this into account you can dramatically reduce the negative impact it will have on your child.
For more information and advice on moving, contact a company such as Rumbles Removal & Storage.
Share11 November 2014
Hello. My name is Dean and this is my home and garden blog. Last year, I decided I needed to improve the look of my home. I visited several home and garden centres and various different shops but I just couldn't find the items I wanted. I had this dream of creating a really cool and funky look based on an African design I had seen. My friend suggested that I customise the items to create the look I wanted and began to give me some lessons. I really enjoyed the process and I learnt a lot about how to improve your home and garden.