The moving process is equal parts exciting and exhausting, depending on many factors. These may range from choosing the right moving companies to figuring out where your new home would be. Additionally, if your family has a number of little kids, things can get quite hefty as moving is much more impactful on them than you’d think. They are emotionally much more sensitive to any changes around them. The very idea of leaving behind the surroundings they grew accustomed to can lead to many emotions in their innocent little hearts.
However, as a parent, you don’t need to worry. With a little compassion and some expert tips, you can comfort your tiny tots and make their experience of the move a breeze.
Let us first take a look at how the process of residential moving in New Jersey truly impacts the mind of children. We’ll also share some expert insights on simplifying the move and making it much easier for both you and your little ones as you all settle into your new home.
The Impact of Residential Moving on Kids
Kids are innocent and imaginative. However, they are also equally sensitive to change and hence, the moving process could be quite an emotionally charged journey for them to take up. For toddlers, the change might simply not even be detectable since they have a limited understanding of what’s going on around them. But school kids would probably feel a lot of excitement, and sadness as well for leaving behind a lot of their loved ones like teachers, friends, and other familiar faces.
As parents, you might find it doubly burdening to get grappled in the emotional rollercoaster of your child while also taking up the various moving tasks at the same time. It is hence, extremely important to acknowledge, accept, and address the feelings of your tiny tots from each age group and not let them get emotionally isolated during such an important part of their life.
Moving With Toddlers
Toddlers are tiny sailors, always excited to discover what the world around them holds. When you undergo local moving, toddlers may not immediately understand what is going on exactly. But they do have the gift of five senses, and they can certainly detect changes in their environment. They might show some behavioral changes during this period. Perhaps they’d be clingier than usual, or irritable. They might have changes in their eating and sleeping patterns as well.
Easing their worries is fairly easy. Start with ensuring that their daily routine is maintained as much as possible, be it their story time or playtime. This would help them comfortably adjust to the changes happening around them, and nothing would come off abruptly.
Keep in mind – The best way to keep toddlers calm throughout the moving phase is to keep their attention focused on something fun. Engaging them in simple things like packing their toys while occasionally checking in with them would keep them happy and content, and they’ll be assured that everything is going alright.
Pre-Schoolers and Moving
By the time toddlers learn to speak and articulate, they also develop a rather vivid curiosity about things around them. So, expect a lot of questions coming from them regarding everything. Keep them engaged and in sync with the whole moving process so that they don’t feel alienated. Show them what your new place looks like to generate excitement in their innocent minds. If time permits from the tasks of your residential moving, go ahead and take them on a tour of the new neighborhood to show the interesting places nearby like parks or playgrounds. This way they feel a connection to the newness in their surroundings and also get reassured that their excitement and nervousness are okay.
School-Going Kids and Moving
If your kids are old enough to go to school, things can be moodier and a little more challenging. Unlike younger children, school-going kids would have to leave behind lots of friends and other acquaintances, which could make them very sad. Leaving a familiar environment and getting into a new one could be difficult as forging new friendships takes time.
Schoolkids require a lot of healthy communication so that their fears and concerns are heard and addressed aptly. Keep them involved in everything by encouraging them to take part in making choices like the colors of the walls in their rooms among other things. Perhaps visit their new school together in the new neighborhood before enrolling, so that the kids can feel a little more familiarized with it.
Valuable tip – A farewell party for your kids to bid their goodbyes to their old friends would be great if time permits. It would ensure your kids meet up with their near and dear buddies one last time before they move. Also, encourage them to keep in touch with their old friends while making new ones in the new neighborhood. It would ensure a seamless transition for them.
How To Help Kids Settle In The New Place After The Move?
Whether you are doing residential moving in New Jersey or any other area, the process doesn’t finish with the mere transportation of your belongings from the old house to the new one. Settling in is an important part of the move as well. For kids, this part is crucial because on their first day at the new home, they are bound to feel a little alien to the surroundings and they may have nostalgic blues about their old home.
To smoothen the process of moving as much as possible for them, consider these few tips: –
- Start by unpacking the items from their room and setting them up first. Set up the room similar to the older one with the books, toys, and their other belongings in similar positions.
- Let your kids chime in with their little contributions in the unpacking process as well, which might make them feel more engaged in their new surroundings.
- Once the rooms are set up, take a stroll around the neighborhood and find out where the recreational areas like parks or playpens are. Let the kids soak in the vibe of the new area through the local places of interest like libraries, shops, cinemas, or restaurants among other things.
- Eventually, introduce them to other kids in the neighborhood that could be their playmates so new friendships could blossom.