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Long Distance Moving with Young Children: Packing, Planning, and Patience

Moving to a new city or state is stressful. Stress is compounded by the nature of moving with kids, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Following the three Ps of planning, packing, and patience may help you discover that moving need not be bad at all. You will also teach your child how to handle new situations with confidence and poise, which will make you feel good.

Planning: How to Help Kids Prepare for a Move

You will be speaking with them in the first weeks and even months leading up to that first taped box, calming yourself so you do not get anxious about it. Explain where you are going and what it will be like. Describe some of the process, like packing the items in the boxes and giving away things that they do not want. You will tell them the movers will bring everything, all the furniture and belongings to your new home.

Consider Age as you Prepare the Kids

Children too young to really understand everything that’s going on can just be given a few basics. You’re going to live in a new house and a new city and neighborhood. Your things are being packed up, but they’ll be in your new house when you get there. The older children will be much more aware, so you can have some discussions about what to expect – even with regards to the packing process, where you are going, how long the move will take, and other topics helpful to them. Even with the youngest, allow them to ask questions and hear concerns.

Focus on the fun

Though you know moving with kids isn’t all games, they don’t have to be told it can be stressful. Talk to them about the fun part of moving. Let them help visualize what their new bedroom is going to look like or what colors they want in their room. If you know an interesting feature of the home, discuss it. You may have a bigger yard for a trampoline or hammock. You might have a second living area in this house or space for a toy room. Make your kids feel as if moving is an adventure, which will help them adjust to leaving home.

Understand the sadness

Even as you are trying to help them feel excited about the change, do not prevent them from talking about the sad parts of leaving. Let them know it’s okay that they’re going to be sad to leave their friends or their favorite hiding place. Help them realize that it’s okay to grieve at the loss of something even as you are excited about what’s new.

Packing: Getting Kids Involved

One way of letting your children be enthusiastic about moving and understand the change in their lives will be through the act of allowing them to pack along. Talk to them about what they’d like to keep and what they have outgrown. Now is a good time to purge the whole house, including your kids’ toys and clothing. If they have toys that they no longer play with or clothes that are too small, help to pack these up so you can donate them. Explain that another child will love to get those things, which makes it easier for them to feel okay about letting them go.

Never scrimp on supplies when it comes to packing. Before the actual process of packing, ensure that you have many supplies with you, including boxes of all types, and packing labels and markers. A professional moving company may provide the materials needed for packing, which would make the actual packing process much easier.

Designate a “first night” box for the kids, full of goodies they will want right when you get to your new home. This is a box that could contain some casual clothing, pajamas, a blanket and a pillow, some toys, and snack foods. Once you get to your destination, they will have enough to survive while you work on unpacking.

Allow yourself fun breaks as you pack. Younger children don’t sit well for long and even older children start getting restless after a few hours of work. Spending time at the park or just sitting down to read with your children will have you feeling refreshed, and crankiness will decrease in children, especially if they get a nap in. With toddlers, preschoolers, and babies, you might have to pack while they sleep. If you complete your work during their nap time, then you will have more hours for them when they wake up.

Patience: How to Avoid and Manage Stress

Moving with kids can increase your level of stress, especially with long distance moves. However, some of this stress can be learned to be avoided and the rest managed with these tips.

Get organized early

If you think it will take two months to pack, it is wise to start three months ahead. Plan on spending much more time than usual on all of your moving activities, so you won’t become stressed by the delays that will surely come up. Develop a moving checklist with everything you have to do before you move in. Put this list in a binder so you can refer it back to you and your household. It will be a huge stress relief having everything written down and not relying on your memory.

Schedule breaks

Okay, so we’re going to make a moving timeline, take breaks that will help you keep your sanity. Take a ten-minute break from the task of packing to sit down and play with the kids. Schedule a longer lunch break so you can take a picnic to the park or even just in the backyard. Take a whole day off from packing during the week to do something fun with the kids. And not only will the break help you, but also alleviate a lot of the kids’ grumpiness as they don’t get to spend time with you.

Decide on Stress Relievers

You can’t avoid all stress; thus, the alternative is learning to work with it. Establish what de-stresses you and your children. This may include reading or playing video game. Walking or basketball can help to de-stress. Put them into your daily schedule, but use these too when someone suddenly feels overwhelmed.

Communication is very key to dealing with the challenges that come from moving with kids. Carry out these tips in your move and make it smoother, happier for you and your kids.

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