Moving house is an exciting new chapter for your family, whether you're relocating for a lifestyle change or starting your dream renovation project.
However, for many, packing up your life and relocating finally is a daunting task, especially with young children in tow. Professional removalists often become your greatest allies for a smooth move. With that, here's our comprehensive guide to a moving house with kids, including tips for keeping your little ones happy while making the process easier for everyone.
Preparation is key
Preparing your home for a move is important, but preparing your kids is just as crucial. With all new changes, children often need time to adjust, so:
- Tell your children about the move as early as possible, so they have time to accept that change.
- Explain the benefits moving like a bigger backyard, or new places to play.
- Plan the transition. Quality removalists can help you plan the entire transition, from creating a realistic timeline to strategising with handy moving tips and tricks.
Get the kids involved in the move
One of the best ways to build excitement around moving house is to have your children involved in the process. Give them a sense of control during the move so they have something to look forward to. For example:
- Let them decide on their bedroom colour, theme or layout
- Declutter together - let them choose which toys they want to take with them and which can go into storage for a rainy day.
When choosing a storage facility make sure to find somewhere secure and trust-worthy, so that your little ones belongings are safe for the future.
Maintain the children's routine
This tip may be the toughest to uphold in the process of moving with kids but it's important. Children thrive on routine and moving can disrupt their patterns. For a seamless transition from one home to the next:
- Stick to regular meal times and sleep patterns, especially if you're moving with babies and toddlers.
- Organise moving or packing for the weekend so that their regular school week is not disrupted.
- Work with expert removalists so you have time to focus on keeping a good routine.
A steady routine helps children feel safe and reduces anxiety during the move.
Be strategic about packing
With busy lifestyles and little time to pack, it can be tempting everything in one go, especially when little ones are asleep or out of the house.
But, this can sometimes lead to chaotic packing and losing items. The last thing you want for your little one is to lose their favourite teddy or comfort piece in a frenzy of last-minute packing.
Plan ahead by:
- Packing in stages: Avoid last-minute chaos by organising rooms and items ahead of moving day.
- Prioritise essentials: Keep comfort items like favourite toys, blankets, or books accessible.
Invest in top-quality removalists
Hiring experienced local removalists is one of the best ways to reduce moving stress. They can do all the metaphorical and literal heavy lifting. But you should know who you're putting your trust in. To choose a reliable removalist, research customer reviews and look for AFRA accreditation (Australian Furniture Removers Association).
The right removalist for your family can then help you with every step along the way. Letting the experts handle the move means that you can focus on what’s important, taking care of your family.
Take care of yourself
Whilst trying to make it as stress-free for the kids as possible, don’t forget to make time for yourself in the process. As parents, it’s easy to put yourself at the bottom of the priority list. But making sure you are giving yourself the same grace you give your children is very important.
Delegating work to your removalists will help take some of the weight off your shoulders, after all, it is what they do best.
Additionally, reach out to family and friends and ask for help where it’s needed. Moving house is a huge task and not something that you should be taking on alone. If you are relaxed so will your children be, so prioritising your wellbeing is crucial to taking care of theirs.
Final thoughts
Moving with children can be seamless if you plan ahead, involve your kids in the process, keep routines, and ask professional removalists for help. Remember to take care of yourself along the way. When you’re calm and organised, your children are more likely to feel secure and happy in their new home.
