Moving into a new home can be a stressful ordeal for an adult. With a new location comes the need to adapt to new cultures, people, and environments. Imagine a child going through that same process. The immense stress is doubled for these kids as they are forced to create new friends, move to a new school, and adjust to a whole new life.
This transitional phase is crucial for their development and if neglected could lead to the detriment of their mental and emotional health. As the adult guardian or parent, it is your responsibility to guide them through these tumultuous times and help them manage the stress that moving to a new home induces.
And it doesn’t have to be done in an overly serious manner. You can do it in a fun, creative way. Help your kids feel more adjusted and comfortable as you try out these 6 helpful tips:
- Give a Warm Welcome
The best way to make your kids feel at home in their new house is to give them a warm welcome! It doesn’t have to be a grand occasion or party, as it would only overwhelm them even more. Why not settle for a simple welcome basket that will be filled with goodies and knickknacks that they can play with.
Be it their favourite snack, a new nightlight, a cuddle buddy, bedtime book, toy, or wall stickers, these baubles can go a long way in distracting them from the stress of moving in. And, if you’re a family from a different country trying to adapt to a foreign neighbourhood that predominantly speaks English, you can also arrange for an English tutor from Markham to help your kids communicate better with other children.
- Decorate Their Rooms First
Moving into a new unfurnished house can cause twice the stress for your kids as your children will need to deal with a bare house in the first few months, it’s best to give them stability and comfort by prioritizing their own rooms first. As you move into a new home, make sure to decorate and finish their rooms, so that they’ll have their own space to de-stress and relax.
Make them feel involved by giving them the choice of paint colour, what kind of furniture they want, and what theme they’ll be choosing. If the rooms already have furniture that you don’t care to use, temporarily store them in storage in North York for safekeeping.
- Try a Scavenger Hunt
Exploring a new neighbourhood can be a daunting task for your kids. Taking the first step to explore the outdoors can be difficult. So, why not make them feel more comfortable by scouting the place first and looking for the best places to hang out, play, and meet new friends.
Once you’ve found them, create a scavenger hunt game or puzzle that will take them to these places. This way, they can have a personal experience of the new community.
- Have Fun with Unpacking
Unpacking can be a boring and tiresome job for your kids. Sure, having them involved in this journey can help them appreciate their home more. However, it doesn’t have to be dull! Add fun to your kids’ unpacking experience by using the boxes as forts and houses for play, paper ball fights, and sleepovers. This way, they’ll have the motivation to empty the boxes as quickly as possible so they can expand their forts.
- Talk Through Feelings
The stress of moving into a new home can trigger plenty of negative feelings. As they long for their old friends, schools, neighbourhoods, and houses, most children may opt to cry in silence and hide from their parents. Some children will do this, as they might think that telling their parents of their stress may make the whole moving-in process more difficult for the family so they might opt to stay quiet.
It doesn’t mean that if your kids are silent and uncomplaining that they’re not hurting. As the parent, you have to take the first step in helping your kids open up about their feelings. Let them process their emotions, listen to them, and make them feel valid. If it’s hard for them to talk directly, you can set up a drawing or painting session that will help them communicate their feelings better.
- Create New Memories
A new home can lead to fresh adventures and memories. However, that won’t always be the case in the first few days of moving in. As the parent, you can make your kids feel more excited and distracted from the move by creating new memories with them that will help them associate positive feelings about their new home.
To memorialize these moments, make sure to post them on social media. You can also start building your network in your new neighbourhood by adding new friends within the area. If you don’t have Internet yet, make sure to contact rural internet providers in Saskatchewan for easy communication and fast connection.
Moving to a new environment will always be a challenge. As you will be adapting to an array of changes and adjustments, you’ll need to have the mental and emotional fortitude to handle them. Children on the other hand may lack the coping skills to do that and if they are left alone to manage, it could lead to disastrous results for their emotional and mental well-being. So, don’t leave them alone to cope with the transition. Be their guide all throughout the process.
I am the content writer for Allblogsidea, where I love what I do. Writing is my passion; it’s what drives me in life. It makes me happy when people share their stories with the world so they can be heard.