Hello, and welcome to this packing and moving ecourse brought to you by GoMovers.com. Whether you're moving across town, across the country, or even across the world, we've got tips that will help you minimize stress and make your transition to your new home as easy as possible.
Sometimes moving is a joyful experience, as when you're upgrading to a larger home for your family. Other times it is a process full of stress: you're moving across the country for a new job, the kids are unhappy they will have to leave their old friends, and you aren't sure you'll like the new community as much as your old home.
No matter which situation you are facing, there's a kind of loss associated with leaving behind a place filled with memories. Remember to take time out as you are thinking about moving and in the days before the move to talk together as a family about what's going to happen and give everyone a chance to express how they feel about it.
Tips for Moving with Your Family
Allow for Transition Time: Give your family time to get used to the idea of moving and understand what to expect before, during and after your move. The more structure and moving tips you can provide to them, the easier the move will be.
Keep a Positive Attitude: If you show them your enthusiasm, they'll share in the excitement. Positive attitudes are contagious!
Prepare your Children for the Move: Negative comments and reactions from children are to be expected. Anticipate their questions and concerns, and prepare possible solutions in advance. This will help minimize their anxiety. If you don't know the answer to their questions, be honest with them and tell them that you don't know. If appropriate, let them help find the answer with you. This shows you care about their concerns and makes them feel more important.
Share your Thoughts: Regardless of what your children say, thank them for communicating their thoughts with you. Older children may especially find it awkward to express their vulnerabilities; therefore, it's crucial to thank them for sharing their concerns with you. Often, just listening provides them with the reassurance and validation they need. This leads us to another important moving tip: Keeping the lines of communication open is critical for a smooth transition.
Let your Children Participate in the Move: Children’s anxieties often stem from the unknown. Involving them in the move gives them a sense of control, which makes for an easier transition. For example, children can help with the packing or with running a garage sale.
That's all for today. After everyone is in the right mindset, you can get down to the real business of moving—the packing. Next time we'll have all the tips you need to make packing easier.
