Moving is already pretty stressful on its own; everything from coordinating with movers to packing and setting a moving date and then some are on the agenda. But nothing takes the stress level to a peak quite like moving with children. Moving is a big adjustment for adults, so naturally, it’s all the more drastic for younger individuals who don’t quite understand or like the concept of change.
Moreover, there’s also the concern of conducting a move safely so children aren’t exposed to any injuries, accidents, or frights. If a move with children is in your near future and you’re hyperventilating at just the thought of it, we’re here to lend a helping hand. We’re discussing all the tips you’ll need to ensure a safe move when children are involved.
Get everyone in the loop.
A good way to start a seamless move process with children is to brief them beforehand. Children respond well to communication, and when you show them that their input and feelings on the matter are important to you, you’ll be able to secure their cooperation as well. Let them know with as much detail as possible why a move is necessary in the first place as well as what is going to change.
Once all of that is out of the way, move on to the specifications of moving day and what contribution and expectations you have of them. Having a game plan for moving day that involves everyone in the family is a smart way to make sure no surprises or accidents pop up. Providing kids with clear blueprints of what they’re expected to do before, during, and after the move will ensure a seamless experience for everyone.
Let kids make some decisions.
Since a lot is going to change for the children once the move takes place, it only makes sense that they have a say in the new aspects of their life. Take them with you when finalizing the house or apartment you’re going to move in. Take in their opinions about the location, the schools they’ll be enrolling in, and so on and so forth. This will help keep them grounded and accept the move with a better attitude.
Similarly, ask their opinions on facets of the moving process such as packing, which items of theirs should go where, and the like. Nothing makes a moving day as hard as children throwing fits during it. Manage this beforehand by making them feel that they have a say in everything happening around them. If you’re knees deep in the move and haven’t implemented these steps yet, start by asking them to help bring their own small belongings to the car, so they approach everything with a sense of duty.
Make kids feel useful.
Children enjoy being involved and are great assistants when given a chance. Since it’s always a good idea to distribute moving tasks across family members, try to allot appropriate responsibilities to your younger ones. Having them help pack their own room or declutter their things to figure out what needs to be thrown away and what should be kept are excellent ways to get a two-fold job done.
If you decide to have a yard sale with all the surplus items, make sure to involve them and make the activity a fun and educational one for them. This is also a good time to teach them the importance of learning to part with things and donating to those in need. You’ll also find that a lot of the pressure is taken off of you when you let children handle the little things instead of controlling everything on your own.
Child-proof the house.
A packed-up house is not the safest place for a child. Broken-down furniture, unattended electric plugs, and towers upon towers of packed boxes are hazards in the making. Not only should you make sure to supervise your children at all times during the move, but also immediately put out of reach anything that could possibly translate into an accident or injury.
This is why it’s essential to have disassembled furniture packed and away with every nail and bolt it comes with out of sight as soon as possible. Unplugged sockets are best covered with tape, and heavy loads should be locked away in an unfrequented room until the morning of the move. Take a look at everything around you from the perspective of a child; it’ll help you figure out what could potentially be a hazard if approached the wrong way.
Make guidelines for moving day.
Children thrive off of structure, and the same holds true for moving days when having them follow the rules is important for their own safety and well-being. With so many people and professionals coming in and out of the house, children are especially vulnerable. This is why it’s best to create a set of guidelines for them and then revise them with the children, so they know what they are and aren’t allowed to do.
Easy-to-follow regulations like staying in a particular room until you tell them otherwise or waiting in the car when so and so things are being loaded are good places to start. Having them come to you in instances when they might need a snack or use the restroom is also excellent and easy guidelines that they can follow without much difficulty. Remember to be thorough when you take into consideration everything you should think of when moving with children.
Prepare a first-aid kit.
While the importance of first-aid kits is known and discussed in abundance, there is still a long way to go before it’s exhausted. Children are very susceptible to accidents and injuries during moves, which is why even though precaution is an excellent approach, being ready for anything to pop up is the next best thing. Whip up a detailed first-aid box that can address any possible injury arising when children are involved in a move. You’ll be grateful you did this precautionary measure despite any outcome.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Consider When Picking A Moving Date