While moving long distances is already hard, adding kids to the mix can make things even more difficult. Taking care of their feelings and energy while they move requires careful planning and strategic execution. This article will give you useful advice on handling a long-distance move with kids while keeping them busy and calm. We will also talk about the benefits of hiring professional movers to make sure your family has a smooth move.
How to Get Your Kids Ready for the Move
Open and honest communication is the first step in getting your kids ready for a long-distance move. For kids, moving to a new place can be scary because they like routine and being around people they know. Here are some ways to get them ready for the changes that are coming.
Talk About the Move Early
If you can, talk to your kids about the move right away. Tell them why you are moving and what they can expect. Listen to what they have to say, and answer any questions they may have. This openness helps them feel less anxious and gives them time to process the information slowly. Be honest about the problems, but stress the good things, like meeting new people and seeing new places.
Get Them Involved In the Journey
Allow your kids to be a part of the moving process to make them feel important and included. Let them help you pack their things, pick out decorations for their new room, or even choose the boxes they will use.
Putting them in charge can help them get used to the move and make it feel like a family project. Also, having them sort through their toys and clothes can help them learn how to be organized and get rid of things they do not need.
Visit the New Location Together
If you can, go to the new place before you move. Take your kids to see their new neighborhood, school, and home. Getting them used to their new home can help calm their fears and get them excited about the move. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, use online tools like virtual tours, Google Maps, and photos to help them visualize their new surroundings. For a sense of adventure and fun, talk about fun things to do and interesting landmarks in the area.
How to Keep Kids Busy During the Move
To keep your kids from getting bored and stressed out during the move, it is important to keep them busy and involved. Here are some strategies to keep them busy and entertained.
Pack a Moving Day Kit
Put together a moving day kit with the toys, books, snacks, and activities your kids love. Include comforting and familiar things, like a blanket or stuffed animal they love. This kit will give them a sense of security and keep them busy while the move happens. Along with their favorite things, you might want to add some new toys or books to make it more fun and surprise them.
Schedule Fun Breaks
Make sure your kids have plenty of breaks on long trips so they can play, stretch, and get rid of gas. Explore rest stops and parks that are good for families. Let the kids run around and take a break from the car. Taking these breaks can make the trip better for everyone. Travel bingo, audiobooks, and sing-alongs are just a few of the games and activities that can be done in the car to keep things fun and interesting.
Be Smart About Technology
Use technology to keep your kids busy and happy. They can download their favorite movies, games, and learning apps on a tablet or phone. Screen time should be balanced, but it can be useful for keeping kids busy while on the go. Use headphones to make the car a quieter place, and limit their screen time to make sure they do other things and talk to others.
How to Deal with Stress and Feelings
For kids, moving can be hard on their emotions. It is important to understand how they feel and offer support to help them get through the change.
Embrace Their Feelings
Take a moment to recognize and validate your kids’ feelings. Let them talk about how sad, angry, or scared they are about leaving their friends and the place they know well. Being empathetic and listening to them can help them feel understood and cared for. Talk about how you feel about the move to show them that it is normal to have mixed feelings and allow them to be upset.
Maintain Routines
Although you are moving, try to keep some of your kids’ routines. After all the changes, having regular bedtimes, meal times, and daily activities can help them (and you) feel more stable. Having routines can ease stress and make the change go more smoothly. Assemble a picture schedule to help them plan their daily activities and feel more stable about what is to come.
Make happy memories.
When you move, try to make good memories of it. Plan fun things to do or parties to say goodbye to their friends before they leave. Gather a lot of pictures and put together a scrapbook of your present home and neighborhood. These things can help your kids remember the good times and look forward to the next ones. To keep important relationships going, tell them to write letters, email, or video call old friends.
Getting Settled In and Unpacking
Children may find it hard to get used to moving into a new home. Here are some suggestions that will help them unpack and get used to their new home more quickly.
- Start by unpacking their room
Unpacking your kids’ room should be your first task. Make their beds and toys look nice, and make the room feel like home. Get their room ready first. This can help them feel at home in their new place and give them a sense of normalcy. Allow them to help you decorate by picking out where to put things and adding unique touches.
- Explore the new area
Spend some time with your kids getting to know the new neighborhood. Explore the parks, playgrounds, and other attractions in your area. Introduce them to nearby amenities, such as the library or community center. They may feel more connected to their new surroundings if they explore it with you. For them to make new friends and feel like they belong, joining local groups or clubs can also help.
- Help your kids make new friends
Get your kids involved in sports, community activities, or school events to help them meet new people. Maintaining social connections is important for their mental health and can assist them in getting used to their new surroundings more quickly. To help them make new friends and feel like they belong in the community, set up play dates or social events with neighbors.
Why You Should Hire Professional Movers
You can move across state lines with your kids if you do it yourself, but hiring professional movers can make the process a lot easier and less stressful. Cross Country Movers and other companies like them offer full moving services that are tailored to the needs of each family.
- Professionalism and Speed
Professional movers have the skills and knowledge to make sure that every part of your move goes smoothly. They will carefully pack, load, transport, and unload your things to make sure everything gets to your new home safely. They can save you time and stress by moving quickly and efficiently. They also know the best ways to pack and the best materials to use, so your things will not get damaged.
- Offering Customized Services
There are a lot of moving companies that can tailor their services to your needs. Professional movers can adapt their services to fit your needs, whether you need full-service packing, short-term storage, or moving your car. Families with kids may benefit the most from this flexibility. Movers take care of the details so you can focus on helping your kids and meeting their needs during the move.
- Peace of Mind
Hiring professional movers gives you peace of mind because you know your move is in good hands. With the movers taking care of the details, you can focus on taking care of your kids and supporting them. This makes moving less stressful overall and helps you get used to your new home more quickly. Trusting professionals to do the heavy lifting and transporting also lowers the risk of getting hurt or tired.
- Safety and Reliability
Professional movers know how to transport your things carefully, so they are less likely to get broken or lost. They also offer insurance to keep your things safe while they are being shipped. These dependability factors make sure that your move goes smoothly and that your belongings are safe. If there are any problems, their customer service teams are ready to help and get things fixed quickly.
Hire Professional Movers So You Can Spend More Time With Your Kids During the Move
Moving long distances with kids requires a lot of planning and thought. You can help your kids get ready for the move, stay busy, and meet their emotional needs so that the transition goes more smoothly and positively for your whole family.
We recommend Cross Country Movers if you want an easy moving experience. Our professional movers are here to help you with all of your moving needs. We offer customized services to make sure your move goes smoothly. Contact us right away to find out more about how we can help you move long distance with kids.
