Moving is stressful no matter what your age. It can be an especially anxious time for little children who need the comfort of familiar routines and spaces. As busy as you are during this time, it’s very important to recognize your child’s level of discomfort with the unknown and address it in a positive way. NYC moving companies we interviewed discuss ways you can involve kids in the process.
1. Use stories and toys to engage your kids
Go online to find books recommended by the professionals. Check out your local library for age-appropriate moving day books. As you read with your child encourage her to express the way her own fears mirror the characters in the book.
Set up a moving day scenario using your child’s favorite toys. Dollhouses, trucks, dolls, and stuffed animals can all be incorporated into the pretend move. Be sure to keep the story-line light and positive.
2. Plan a goodbye party.
Invite your little one to join in the planning, including who’s going to be invited, what the refreshments will be, and what the decorations will look like. This is a great way for kids to get the chance to talk about how much they will miss their old friends. You can explain that there are lots of ways to stay in touch even though there will be miles in between.
3. Create a photo album of your child’s favorite friends and places.
A going away party is a good way to start a memory album for your youngster. Let your child decide what to add to it. She may want to include pictures of her school, a favorite playground, picnic area, or swimming pool.
Don’t forget to include pictures of neighbors, daycare providers, and babysitters along with friends. You can also include written messages from the friends your child is leaving behind, as well as contact information so she can keep in touch with them. This will give your child a feeling of continuity and a reassurance that she isn’t being completely cut off from her old life.
4. Go online with your youngster and research the new town and neighborhood you’re moving to.
As much as possible you want your little one to look forward to the new surroundings. Researching the community you’re moving into, and what it has to offer kids, is one way to do that. You can download pictures of the new house, street scenes, and aerials that give a broader view of the whole neighborhood.
5. Give children their own boxes and let them help pack.
Even the littlest kids can do some packing. They may not do it exactly as you would, but letting them put some of their toys in boxes, that you carefully mark, will help make them feel part of the process. Let them unpack these boxes once you get to the new house. It will reassure them that they still have their favorite things.
Children are adaptable. It’s still important to stop and listen thoughtfully to their concerns though. You want them to understand that even though you’re moving to a new place, you’ll all be together just the same as always.