Date Published 26 July 2021
How to Make Moving House with Children Easier
Moving house is often listed as one of the top life events which can cause stress levels to rise, and things can certainly prove even more tricky once you add babies, toddlers or older children into the mix!
Luckily, there are things that you can do to make the move easier on the whole family. Here, we've listed our top ten tips to make moving house a smoother process when children are involved - we'd love to hear your tips too!
1. Be open and honest about the move
Children are very intuitive and will often pick up on conversations, even if you don't want them to! It's a personal decision when it comes to involving your children in the details of the move, but you may choose to tell them when everything is signed on the dotted line to remove any uncertainty.
The whole process can take a while, but if things are looking pretty promising and you're sure you're going to move house one way or another, being open and honest about your decisions can help them prepare and get used to the idea.
2. Emphasise stability
It's important that children have stability. With this in mind, make sure you emphasise that although you'll be moving to a new property, they will still have a safe and secure home.
It may help to let them know how far you'll be moving away from the things they know - e.g. if their school is just an extra 10 minute walk away, or if close family will now be just round the corner. By reinforcing where all of their most important things are, you'll help put the move into perspective for them.
3. Get familiar with the new area
When moving to a new area, city or even country, it's important that your children are familiar with the new place they will be calling home.
If you're not visiting your new home regularly due to distance, it could help to show them the listing online or to take additional photos when you do view the property so they can see how things will look and how the space is laid out. If your new place is close by, including it on your walks or car journeys can make the move seem a lot less scary too!
4. Create lasting memories of your current home
A childhood home is an important part of growing up regardless of age. If children make happy memories of their time there, it could help make the transition a lot smoother. You could ask for help taking photos of each room for a scrapbook, or create a memory box of their favourite wallpaper and stones from the garden.
Try to take as much with you too - for example, if you have a height chart or markings on the wall, ask for your child's help to trace it onto some paper so you can put it up in your new home.
5. Involve them in some of the decision making
Although there may only be a few things children can be involved in during the house move, it helps to make them as involved as possible. Ask them to think of ideas for decorating their new room - whether that's simply picking a paint colour or looking through magazines for inspiration and furniture ideas.
Another top tip is to give them a few boxes of their own to start packing up (even if that involves just throwing some random bits and pieces in there) and let them decide what they want to keep when it comes to decluttering.
6. Unpack your child's room first
It's always a good idea to label each box so that it's clear which room it belongs to, and it may help to unpack your child's room first too. Making their bed and ensuring that all of their home comforts are around can create a familiar and calming environment for them, even if the rest of your home is in the process of being re-decorated or is a little bit all over the place when you move in!
7. Plan some fun activities for when you move
A great way to get used to a new area is to go out and explore - especially if you can turn it into a big adventure! If you've moved closer to a new park or play area, make it a priority to visit in the first couple of days. Similarly, finding a new library close by and taking out some books, or just visiting your new local shops can all help make a new place seem more friendly and appealing.
8. Consider childcare if it's available on moving day
Moving house can be chaotic when it comes to loading boxes and lifting heavy objects so if you have the option, it could save a lot of time and energy to make sure your children are looked after by someone else when it comes to the big day. Plus, it means they're not around for the uncertainty of where bits and bobs are going, and they can join you later when things are a bit more in order.
9. Stick to your regular routine
Although it can be tempting to let routines go out of the window when you're moving house, it's important to keep things as normal as possible for little ones. Try to make sure bedtimes are kept as closely as you can and that their day is as predictable as your new circumstances allow.
10. Have a overnight bag ready
Another handy tip is to keep a bag of all of the most important bits together so you're not left searching through boxes when you need something the most.
Along with all of the essentials such as toothbrushes and medication, having your child's favourite toy, book or comfy clothes on hand will make things feel a lot more together - even if you know it's not!
Searching for the perfect family home? Marshall Property can help
Once you've decided that you'd like to put your home on the market and begin the search for a new property, it's important to work with a team who know exactly what you're looking for.
We are an independent, family-owned business, which means we guarantee a personal service every time. Whether you're looking to get onto the property ladder for the first time or simply trying to find your next dream pad, we're on hand to help.
If you'd like to sell your property in Liverpool or start the search for your next home, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Marshall Property today and get the ball rolling.
