Some Do's and Don'ts for Moving With Small Children

For parents, having children around when preparing to move adds more complexity to what is already an often laborious process of moving houses. And many parents wonder how much - or how little - to involve their kids in tasks of moving. To help you find the right balance for your family, here are a few do's and don'ts for involving your kids.

Do Involve Kids in Decision-Making

One of the challenges little kids face is that they feel powerless about the changes they're experiencing. One way to help them gain a little control over their own lives - and therefore feel better about the move - is to be able to make some decisions for themselves.

These can be small decisions, like choosing which toys they want to take and which they're done with. Or it could be bigger choices, like which room in the new house will be theirs. You could even ask for input in unexpected ways, such as what they think of the movers you're interviewing or what sights they want to see on the road trip to the new house.

No matter what the subject, they'll feel empowered during a confusing time.

Don't Involve Kids in Your Stresses

Moving to a new house is a stressful time, but that shouldn't be projected onto the kids. Your own anxiety will ramp up your children's anxieties as well. If preparing to move is spreading you thin, consider outsourcing more of the work.

Professional movers, for instance, can often do much of the packing work for a homeowner so the homeowner can focus on other projects or spend time with the kids.

Do Involve Kids in Packing Their Room

The task of packing up your kids' rooms can be daunting, but it should usually be done with the child's help - even if this is inconvenient. If all their personal belongings simply disappear one day while they're away, their fears might be amplified.

Instead, let kids help pack up their own personal belongings and talk with them while you do it together. They can help put things in boxes - or at least think they're helping while you do the real work. Let them decorate the boxes. You might even let smaller children play in extra boxes while you work. The point is to be present and involved when their belongings are boxed up.

Don't Involve Kids in Sorting Practicalities

While kids generally benefit from being included in some packing, other packing jobs should be done while they're away. If you need to sort through outgrown clothing, broken crayons, and that collection of baby toiletries from past years, do so when the kids are gone. Otherwise, your kids may become too attached to that old blanket they haven't thought about in years.

Don't be afraid to get a babysitter during the final weeks or days so you can go through practical purging. If you can't do that, consider having the movers pack it all up so you can purge at the new house.

Do Involve Kids in Conversations

Communicate about the move with kids early and often. Kids are smart and they see what's going on around them. If you're preparing to move but are keeping it a secret, they may become even more anxious about what's going on. Instead, have age-appropriate conversations about why you're moving, how it benefits them, what the new house looks like, what's coming with them, and what questions they have.

Where to Start

Parents with little ones should start by meeting with professionals who have experience moving families. Their valuable expertise in working with other families of all sorts can help you plan the best move with the least impact on your kids.

Los Flores Movers has helped Texas families with all their moving needs for more than 15 years. Call today to make an appointment and learn how we can help yours.