Moving house is stressful enough when dealing with it yourself. But if you are a family person then you really have a problem. Kids rarely take changes well, and relocation is one of the big changes in life that can really have a negative impact on your child. But do not worry about it too much, there are always ways to handle even the most negative impact, and all you need to do is keep your child occupied and their attention away from the upcoming changes. 

Your child requires attention. This is something you know, of course, but it is also something that parents often forget when busy moving furniture and packing boxes. But you can integrate your child in the moving activities. This way they will have something to do and will not spend their time feeling ignored and unprepared with the future event. Give them a task, like helping you make the moving checklist, or packing their own room – something to make them feel helpful and relevant. Rewards for a good job will always be welcomed and you can offer anything from a chocolate bar to a new toy. Appreciate the child’s presence even when you are busy with a grand task like moving.

You should make the change as easy as you possibly can by packing the child’s room last. Anything else will bring them discomfort and the more discomfort your kid feels, the more restless they will become, and you do not want to induce stress for them. Help your child deal with the move just the way you are dealing with it. And when you arrive to your new address, unpack your child’s room first, that way they can immediately start acclimatising to the new environment without having to wait for the whole house to be organised. You are also then giving them a choice to either entertain themselves in the new place and return to the familiar room when exhausted, or help you with the unpacking.

Of course, you can always rely on a friend or relative to take care of your child while you prepare the house for your departure, but that means alienating them. It is much better if the child is around so that it gets used to such processes in case future events force another relocation upon you. Only the first move will be difficult, then the child will adapt, so do keep them close and keep them occupied so that they knows what it entails and what to expect if it ever happens again.

Some children can be a nuisance when trying to pack or plan out your move with the removal company. They will always want your attention and distract you which can lead to you forgetting something important. That is exactly why you should find the child something to do as often as you can and tire them out as fast as possible – a long afternoon sleep will both keep them quiet, and let you plan and pack in peace.

Kids can be a difficult thing to handle when moving, but there are always ways to circumvent that and make them a positive part of the moving process. Relocating can be fun as well, as long as you put your mind to it and prepare your child for the event.