Moving is difficult for anyone, but the problems that can be associated with packing your entire life into boxes are often exacerbated if you have kids. After all, it is more difficult for children to understand why it is necessary to move, and they are also likely to get in the way when you are trying to take care of everything. Therefore, it is important to take steps to reduce your stress level, and you will also need to spend some time making your children feel more comfortable with the entire situation.
Tips for Making a Family Move Easier
1. Explain the Process from the Beginning
Children are more likely to feel anxious if they do not have a firm understanding of a new situation. Because of this, you should have a family meeting to let your kids know why the move is happening, and you should also verbally walk them through the steps that will be happening between the moment of your discussion and when you get to the new house.
2. Utilize an Online Real Estate Locator
Looking at a steady stream of potential houses with your children in tow can be a nightmare. Fortunately, you can skip this mess and focus on narrowing down your options by using an online real estate locator. Whether looking for Los Angeles or Alexandria real estate for sale for relocation, utilizing an online real estate locator will simplify your search and save lots of time. This will make it easier to find the right home in your price range, and it will also let you limit the number of house hunting trips that your children are forced to take with you.
3. Give Children a Chance to Say Goodbye
If your kids have only lived in one home, it is natural that they will feel emotionally attached to it. To help them deal with the move, you should encourage them to discuss their feelings about leaving, and it is also important to give them an opportunity to say goodbye to the house.
4. Hire a Babysitter for Moving Day
After everything has been packed, your children are more likely to get in your way than to help you when it is time to load the moving truck. Therefore, it is best for everyone if you hire a babysitter to keep your kids entertained while you get everything prepared for the final drive away from your old home.
5. Let Your Children Decorate their New Rooms
Getting your children excited about moving is definitely a good way to reduce your family’s overall stress level. One of the best ways to do this is to let your children decorate their new bedrooms. After all, most kids love to be creative, and they will also appreciate the freedom that comes with getting to select paint colors and the items that will adorn their walls.
As long as you remember to keep everyone’s feelings in mind, you should be able to get through the move without having any major issues. However, it is common for young children to become emotional when they are in the process of moving, so make sure that you are prepared to provide them with comfort and support.
As a mother of 4 and a former military wife, Lisa Coleman understands the difficulties that can accompany relocating with children, and the stresses that come with it. She utilized Movoto, an online real estate locator, when looking at Alexandria real estate properties for sale and was also able to view local school information, demographics and find agents in the area online.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barretthall/205174369/