Make a scrapbook
Why not think about taking some photos of the children in and around the house and pick up some momentous items that will remind them of the old house and make up a scrapbook of their time in the old house. You could include images of their bedroom, perhaps use some of the paint from their room in the scrapbook, to create something where they can look back on their old house if they want to. This will be really helpful in the first few weeks of moving as they get used to being in a different environment.
Talk about the move
It is important that you talk about your house move with your children as this will affect them more than you think, especially if you are moving far away from your previous home and away from their friends.
By talking about the move with them this will make them feel part of it and help to control their expectations as well as showing them that the move is not just for you as parents but for them as well. Focus on the benefits of the move, for example if they have a bigger room at the new house or a playroom, this is likely to make them feel more positive and excited about the move.
Get them involved
If you haven’t been able to arrange childcare for the day of your move, try assigning roles to the children to involve them in the removals process, this will keep them busy but will also make them feel important which is crucial when they are not keen on the idea of moving house. Let them choose where things go in their room and perhaps where some of the items in other rooms should go, as this will help to make them feel at home by getting involved with where things should be.
Unpack their stuff first
Make sure that the boxes that contain children’s toys are packed last onto the removals van, or even into your car if there’s enough room. As not only will this occupy them and allow them the opportunity to play until the time comes to move, but this will also mean that this is one of the first boxes that can be taken out at the new house for them to play again once all of the furniture has been put into their rooms.
Make the children feel at home, by unpacking their rooms first, this will help them settle into the new house by ensuring that they have their own space to feel comfortable in and also a space where they can play whilst you’re unpacking the rest of the house.
