Moving is often a mix of stress and anticipation of the new for adults. But for children, a change of home can mean a particularly big change, which can fuel fears but also hold a lot of excitement. With the right approach and a little empathy, you can make the move an exciting adventure for your little ones. Here are our best tips on how the change of home will become a positive experience for your children.
Involving Children in the Move: Communicate Early and Age-Appropriately
The key to a stress-free move with children lies in open and early communication. Talk to your children as soon as the decision has been made and explain to them, in an age-appropriate way, what a move means.
- Plan Together: Let your children participate in simple decisions. What new children’s room should it be? Where should their favorite toy stand? If they feel they can co-decide, they will feel less helpless.
- Arouse Anticipation: Show pictures of the new apartment or house. Take walks in the new environment, discover playgrounds, ice cream parlors, or other exciting places. This way, children will associate positive experiences with the new home.
- Books and Stories: There are many children’s books that deal with the topic of moving. Read them together to reduce fears and show that other children also experience this.
Saying Goodbye to the Old Environment: Create Rituals and Preserve Memories
Saying goodbye to the familiar is an important step that should not be underestimated. Allow your children to consciously say goodbye to the old apartment and their friends.
- Farewell Party: Organize a small farewell party for friends from the old neighborhood or kindergarten. This helps children say goodbye and make new contacts if their friends move with them.
- Memory Box: Create a “memory box” together for the old apartment. Here you can put photos, small finds from the garden, or drawings that remind them of their time there.
- Visit Favorite Places: Take a last walk to favorite places in the old environment – the playground, the tree under which they often played, or the ice cream parlor around the corner.
Settling into the New Environment: Provide Security and Routine
After the move, it is important to offer children security and a new routine as quickly as possible.
- Children’s Room First: Try to set up the children’s room in the new apartment first. Their own familiar space gives children a feeling of stability and belonging.
- Familiar Items: Make sure favorite stuffed animals, books, and familiar bedding are quickly at hand. These anchor points provide comfort in the unfamiliar environment.
- Maintain Routine: Stick to usual sleep times, meal times, and rituals as much as possible. Routine provides stability and security.
- Explore New Environment: Explore the new neighborhood, playground, school, or kindergarten together. Enroll children early in new sports clubs or groups to promote social contacts.
The Magical Moving Box for Children: Everything Important at Hand
On moving day itself, chaos is often pre-programmed. A special moving box for each child can work wonders here and provide calm and occupation while you take care of the big things. Pack these boxes last and make sure they are easily accessible.
What belongs in the children’s moving box?
- Favorite Toys: A few favorite stuffed animals, small cars, dolls, or figures that immediately provide comfort and invite play.
- Books and Coloring Supplies: A few beloved books and a small set with pens and paper for coloring or doodling.
- Small Snacks and Drinks: Cereal bars, squeezable pouches, a water bottle, and other favorite snacks that do not need to be refrigerated.
- Small Blanket and Pillow: For a nap or a cozy break in between.
- Toiletry Bag: Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, and if necessary, diapers or pacifiers – everything for quick hygiene.
- Change of Clothes: A complete set of spare clothes, in case something gets dirty.
- Flashlight: For the adventure in the new, perhaps still somewhat dark home.
- A Small Surprise Gift: A new small toy or book that increases the anticipation for the new home.
Moving with children can be demanding, but with empathy, good planning, and these tips, the change of home will become an exciting chapter in their lives. Remember that your calm and positive attitude will transfer to your children. Are you ready for the move and want to tackle the planning together?