Moving is a very taxing process. It is very difficult for adults, and you can only imagine how hard it can be on kids. The children need to say goodbye to the home they’ve known since birth and to all of their friends. Often kids don’t feel in control of the situation, because they aren’t, and it can be a difficult transition. But, there are many ways you can make relocation easier on your little ones. So, how to prepare your kids for a relocation? You will need to prepare them emotionally, pack with them and explain each step of the way. But, remember that it’s worth it in the long run. You want your little ones to feel that the relocation is a normal step in their life and not a traumatic one. Our NJ movers have decided to share their professional tips and tricks, so be sure to listen up.
Discuss the move as soon as you make your decision
We often tend to think that our little ones can’t handle the truth. This is absolutely not the case. Your children will love to be involved in whatever you’re doing. They look up to you and feel like they can be a team with you. So, when you decide that it’s time to move, you should immediately tell your kids. Once you tell your little ones they might wonder how long this plan has been in motion. And if you tell them as soon as you make the plan, you won’t have to lie to them. As kids, they would love to help you out with whatever you’re doing.
When it comes to very small children, i.e. toddlers, you can let them know a month in advance. They will have enough time to mourn and accept the situation. Older children should know sooner and they can even help out during the moving process. Your little ones will have the time needed to emotionally prepare. Also, they will seek comfort from you, their parent, and not some unknown source. As soon as you start contacting moving companies Montclair NJ is the right time to tell your kids about the move. They, as well as you, need the time to process this news.
Let your kids say their goodbyes
Your little ones haven’t been a member of the Earth for a very long time. And it’s very likely that the only reality they’ve ever known is in the home and city you’re currently living in. Moving can be a very stressful and completely new experience for them. So, how to prepare your kids for a relocation? There are no right and wrong answers. But, an important part of the relocation process is letting your kids say their goodbyes. Even if they feel like saying goodbye to inanimate objects, or a park you used to play in together. Otherwise, they may end up angry and bitter about the move.
Make some time to go say goodbye to their little friends, grandma, and grandpa. It might also be a good idea to say buy to their favorite places. For example, take your little ones to one last pizza dinner at their favorite pizza joint. You can even allow your kids to talk to your movers Hackensack to get a better picture of the new location you’re moving to. A lot of times, children can accept change better if it’s coming from someone who isn’t their parent.
Create a “stay-in-touch” plan
A moving process is an ideal time to teach your children how to stay in touch with various people. It’s the perfect time to explain to your little ones that they can maintain their current relationships even if they move. Social media has made staying in touch with loved ones ten times easier. You can try out some video calls with grandparents as a start to show the babies that it’s not as scary as it seems. Another amazing idea is to schedule a time you will return to Hackensack and see all of their friends. The kids can place this date on their calendars and feel excited about the times that are yet to come.
But, remember to make realistic promises to your kids. To you, it might not feel like a big deal, but when you make a promise to a child, they always remember it. If you were to disappoint them, they might get really angry at you. Your local movers NJ will take care of the rest, you just need to calm your children and reassure them.
Allow your kids to make some decisions
Another way to answer the age-old question of “How to prepare your kids for a relocation” is to allow them to make certain decisions on their own. Kids love feeling like they are the ones in charge. If you were to allow your kids to make some decisions, it will not only build their confidence, but it will make them feel like they’re the ones organizing this relocation. For example, you can let them decorate their new room, or even just organize with a small budget. Let them pick out the color of their walls, the bedding, a rug, posters, or whatever they wish to have in their room to make them comfortable!
How to prepare your kids for a relocation has proved to be a pretty easy question to answer. Let them say their goodbyes, let them mourn, and let them make some of the “difficult decisions”. This will surely build a stronger bond between you and your little ones, as well as build their decision-making skills. A moving process is an amazing exercise for smaller children to manage their emotions!