The Best Tips You Can Get For Moving With Your School-Age Children

In the recorded history of moving, moving with children will be in the list of top most difficult moves to manage.

When only adults are involved in moving, you can get a lot done in little time. It’s also less emotionally taxing.

But with children involved, your focus is always divided between two things – moving stuff and moving children. Therefore, as a parent, you got to do a lot in a little time whilst making sure you don’t emotionally drain out.

That is why, we, at Movevan, have come up with the best possible tips you can get for moving with your school-age children.

This is our second blog in the series – How To Plan Your Move When You Have Children.

The first blog is about moving when you have a baby on board.

The third blog is about moving with teenage kids (Coming soon!).

So let’s get started.

1. Start With Discussion

Do not hesitate to break the news to your children. As soon as you know for sure that you have to move, share it with your children. Do not wait to tell them till you get things done, thinking that it would be the right time to say.
Telling them as soon as possible will give them plenty of time to process the news and will help you and your children to be on the same page.
If the move is happening due to events like divorce or death, you should consider counselling sessions for your children.
Encourage your children to speak in the discussion. Answer their queries honestly regarding why they are moving, how their life will change, will they be able to meet their friends, etc.

2. Understanding Your Child’s Current Environment

Your school-age children have a little world of their own. They have their schedule to follow, things that they like to do, etc.
Knowing their schedule and likes will help you keep things normal for them as moving day approaches.
Make sure their schedule doesn’t get disrupted, encourage them to do things they like, get involved in their activities. This will make your child less nervous about moving and prevent any mood swings.
Knowing their environment will also help you to get them settled once you are moved. You can try your best to set the same routine and indulging your kids in their favourite activities.

3. Considering Moving From Academic Perspective

School-age children are generally new to the concept of schooling. They are yet to develop a strong foundation and get used to schooling environment.
Therefore, moving can become difficult for your children when it comes to schooling. Moving means a new school, new teachers, new curriculum, new classmates, etc. That’s a lot to manage for your kid.
It’s important to give extra attention to your children’s schooling. Meet your kid’s teacher to know his/her strong and weak points. You can convey the same to your child’s new teacher and even help him/her with their weak points.
If your child is joining a different education board, you should understand the difference between the boards and help your child in preparing for the new board.
Managing the admission of your children to the new school should be your first priority as soon as moving is confirmed. This will help you prepare your child in advance for the new school and for any admission tests. You can help them cover the course that’s already been covered in the new school so that they can join effortlessly.

4. Treating Them As Responsible Adults

Now, let’s touch the practical aspects of moving. Moving means unravelling everything from your storage, getting them inside boxes, loading them to the van, and then repeating the process in reverse at your new place. Not to forget, heavy furniture items and other accessories that need to be moved as well.
Whilst you are busy managing all this, your children might feel left out, as you won’t be able to attend them. You can assign small tasks that are not too big for their age and at the same time, it keeps them engaged.
Prepare a to-do list in advance for your kids. You can assign these tasks when you know you will be busy. These tasks can involve packing toys, cleaning the backyard, check if anything is left to pack, etc.
You can research about the new locality with them. Tag them along with you if it’s local. You can check on the internet with them whilst looking for schools, nearest supply stores, etc.

5. What’s Best For Your Child During The Move

It’s advisable that your children shouldn’t be in the house when everything is being moved. There are risks of them getting seriously injured.
Plan in advance where your kids will stay during the moving day. If you do not find any alternative, make sure they are in a room under adult supervision during the moving day.
Pack their essentials in a different bag. It should have enough supply to get you through the moving day and till the time you get things settled enough to start life at the new place.
If the travel is long-distance, carry with you their favorite toy or game, which can keep them engaged.

6. How To Help Your Child After The Move

Follow all the points mentioned above. Discuss with them how they are feeling at the new place, how their day was at the new school, if they are facing any problems, etc.
Try to set the same routine for them as in the previous house. Try including new things to routine that your children would love. This would help them like the new place.
Help them with their school chores. If you cannot be available, make sure you get them right tuitions or any kind of help they require.
Let them settle their new room. Ask them how would they like their new home to be and incorporate their ideas wherever possible.

What’s Really Important? Being There For Your Kids

School-age children are most sensitive when it comes to moving. They are not small enough to not understand and they are not big enough to act maturely.

They can be left pretty confused, nervous, and scared about moving.

Their only support system is you.

Whilst you manage everything – work, house chores, and moving; make sure your children do not feel that you have become absent from their lives.

The best you can do here is – commit less when it comes to work and delegate work regarding moving so you have plenty of time with your kids.

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