Moving House with Children

When moving house, don't forget to take the children's needs into account.

Its very easy to forget about children's needs during a house move, as you'll be so wrapped up in the practicalities of moving house yourself. But moving house can be a difficult time for children too. They're also leaving behind familiar places and important friends. They, too, will be starting a new chapter in their life: adjusting to a new home, a new neighbourhood, and a new school.

Preparing for Moving House Let your children know about moving house as soon as you realise that the move is really going to happen. The more time the childrenhave to think about and prepare for the move, the easier it will be for them.

Give your children a chance to express their feelings, and try to be honest about your own. Most children will feel some anger, sadness, or worry about the move. These responses are natural and to be expected.

Help older children make an address book. Knowing they can stay in touch with their friends is an important part of a successful move.

In this day and age - perhaps you could help them set up their own email address or their own blog or profile on a social networking site - then they can keep in touch with their friends over the internet.

During Moving House During the house move, try to stay as positive and calm as you can. Not always easy at such a stressful time!

Babies especially pick up on their mother's mood and are very sensitive to stress, leading to a very unsettled baby - the last thing you need when you're packing.

Younger children may have spent extra time in childcare or with friends, so don't be surprised if they are more clingy when they're around you.

Involve your children in the packing. Older children can put their own belongings in boxes, and kids of all ages will enjoy decorating the boxes containing their things. Doing this will also make finding your children's things easier once you're at the new house!

Try to stick to the children's normal routines. Have meals and naps at the same times as usual.

Stay with the usual bedtime routine. Remember not to pack their favourite blanket, teddy bear or book.

Help your children say goodbye to the important people in their lives. Perhaps have a little 'going away party'.

Help the children make a scrapbook of the old house by taking their own photos of the house, their friends, even a piece of the wallpaper!

Getting Settled after Moving House To start with just unpack the essentials around the house. It really doesn't matter if all your books are on the bookshelves for the first few days, even weeks!

Try to make the children's bedrooms safe and comfortable. Make sure they've got their familiar things around them. And try to re-establish their normal bedtime routine as quickly as possible.

Let the children have a say in how they want to decorate their new bedroom. This will help them feel in control of their environment again.

Spend time exploring your new neighbourhood. Especially the things the children loved best about their old house. Knowing they can still go for a pizza or to the park etc will help in this transition.

Encourage them to make new friends by letting them know its ok to invite friends round or call them on the phone.

Moving house is a big time of change for children and adults alike. So don't expect them just to sail though it.