| Moving With Kids - Ten Important Tips |
Moving is a busy time for you. You'll probably have a million
things to do: packing, changing address, changing jobs, organising
removalists, attending farewell parties and saying goodbye,
booking flights, organising your car transport, transporting
pets, and the list goes on. Handling your children, if you have
them, can become a real juggling act and it can be hard not
to get swept up in all the jobs you have to do. Try to keep
in mind though, that they too are uprooting, leaving friends,
attending new schools, dealing with all the excitement, and
in need now, more than ever, of your love, attention and understanding.
Organising your time and bearing in mind how your children are
feeling is key to making their move as smooth and stress free
as possible - you'll reap the benefits too.
Here we try and
provide some tips on keeping your kids entertained and attended
to during your move.
1) Don't pack all of your children's toys
until last. Keep out some of their favourite things so that
they'll be occupied while you're packing and with all this change
it's comforting for them to have some familiar items to engage
themselves with.
2) Listen to, and validate, your child's concerns
about moving - leaving their friends, schools and familiar surroundings.
Let them know that you hear them, and try to remind them of
all the new experiences they're going to have. Children are
resilient and adapt to change well if you lend your ear and
try to remain in a positive frame of mind.
3) Make sure that
your children's important cartons are marked clearly with what
they contain. You'll want to get out their favourite toys, games
and blankets as soon as possible when you get to your new residence.
Having something familiar around can help ease their transition.
4) Use your support network. If family members and friends are
available to help entertain your children while you prepare
make sure to use them. They'll usually be more than prepared
to help - after all, they're going to be missing your child
too!
5) While you're researching and enrolling in schools at
your destination, make sure you take the time to enrol your
child in other extra-curricular activities in your new neighbourhood.
Getting your child joined up with and participating in their
local sporting clubs, scouts, guides, or other groups can help
them make new friends and assimilate quicker when you get there.
6) It can be helpful if your child feels like they're not making
a complete break with their past. It may be worthwhile retaining
the contact details of a few of your child's closest friends
so that they don't feel so isolated - having someone familiar
and their own age to vent with or share in the excitement they
may be experiencing.
7) At times your child may become upset
that you (the big bad ogre!) are dragging them away from everything
they know. Children aren't always as understanding as adults
when it comes to moving. Getting them involved (where appropriate)
can be key to getting them onside and excited. Think of creative
ways to allow them to participate in the move. Delegate some
manageable jobs to them and award 'gold stars' for getting a
job done. Kids love to feel like they're helping, and they're
ownership in the process can minimise resentment towards you
(limiting negative behaviour) and get them working happily towards
the family goal.
8) Naturally, you always make sure that your
child is being supervised properly. At this time, however, supervision
is doubly important. Moving in and out can seem like pandemonium.
Make sure that you remain relaxed so that you're level headed
enough not to overlook your most important assets with all the
commotion happening. There are hazards you should always be
mindful of when moving in or out: things are out of place and
ripe for tripping you or your child over, heavy and cumbersome
items will be lifted in, out and around your house. Be careful
for yours and your child's sake.
9) Make sure that you organise
and manage your time well. If you approach moving with a plan
and a checklist you'll waste less time. Time you can spend making
sure your children don't take a backseat in the whole process.
10) Always, always, always keep a first aid kit on hand. Don't
pack it until last or transport it on your person. You don't
want to be unpacking all your boxes searching for it should
the need arise.
Disclaimer: The information found on this page
is for information purposes only. Why man why ??? !! will
not be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this
material. |
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