1. Keep Your Children In The Loop
Moving can be a scary prospect to young kids. Before you get too wrapped up in house-hunting or packing, take the time to sit down and talk about moving with your little ones. Give them time to ask enough questions so that they feel confident that they understand the process.
2. Take Your Kids House-Hunting With You
Depending on your lifestyle, your current house could be the only home your child has ever known. Asking him to uproot and settle down in a new place can be just as hard on him as it is for you - and perhaps even more so, since he may not be able to understand the reasons for the move. Let your child see the potential homes so he can feel like he is a part of the decision-making process.
3. Let Your Kids Help You Pack
Kids love a good project - but even more than that, they love interacting with their parents and feeling like they have an important role in whatever is going on at the time. Rather than plunking your little ones down in front of the TV, let them carry boxes or help you label each box as it is packed.
4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
If you're married, keeping open lines of communication between you and your spouse while your moving is always important, but is especially crucial if little ones are involved. Make sure you both know which boxes contain what and what the plan is for organizing/packing. Being on the same page in the beginning will keep you from having to redo any work.
5. Let Your Kids Help Design Their New Rooms
Get your kids excited about their new home by letting them have some decoration input on their rooms. Let them pick out paint swatches, for example, and provide input on their new decor themes.
6. Take Advantage Of Naps And Early Bedtimes
A big part of moving is purging old crafts, toys, and clothes that you don't need anymore, and this can be done much more easily while your children are asleep. If she's awake, your daughter is sure to insist that she still needs that old stuffed giraffe, even though she hasn't played with it for years. If you get rid of it while she's asleep, though, she'll never notice the difference.
If you have friends or family volunteer to watch your kids for a little while or to come over and help you pack, take them up on it. Many parents overwork themselves because they believe they should be able to take care of everything themselves. Just because you can do something on your own, however, does not mean that you should.
8. Give Your Kids Their Own Boxes To Pack
Let your children pack their own box with whatever they want to put in it, such as toys, coloring books, or stuffed animals. Just like Mommy and Daddy have their boxes to pack, your little ones will have their own as well. They can keep these boxes close at hand and access the toys in there whenever they want to.
9. Label, Label, Label
Clearly labeling all moving boxes saves lots of time and energy in the long run, but it becomes especially valuable when little children are involved. Kids have a tendency to suddenly latch on to a particular toy and absolutely refuse to play with anything else, so it's important to be able to locate each toy when the time comes.
10. Don't Pack All Of The Clothes
Ask anyone who has ever spent extended time around young children, and they'll all tell you that kids have a knack for making big messes. You never know when you're going to need an change of clothes, so make sure you always have some extra outfits on hand.
11. Be Excited!
Kids look to their parents for direction and guidance. If you are stressed, chances are your kiddo is going to pick up on it and become fussy and uncooperative. Be sure to let your kids see how excited you are about your new home, and take the time to explore the things to do in your new area. If you are excited, your kids will be too.
Moving to the Lake of the Ozarks? The Property Shop Can Help!
If you're thinking about moving to the Lake area, you're invited to stop by and chat with any of our professional Lake of the Ozarks real estate agents. We are always here and happy to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you find your dream home!
The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760
No comments:
Post a Comment