Even though moving to a new home can be an exciting experience, it doesn’t come without it’s stresses and hassles, especially when there are children involved. Whether it’s just a few blocks or to a whole new city, moving can be an overwhelming endeavor that can take a toll on the whole family. Thankfully, there are a number of things you can do before, during and after the move to lessen your children’s worries and ensure the moving process goes as smoothly as possible. Here are some guidelines for making your upcoming move simple and stress-free:

Prepare your children in advance

Moving can be a drastic change in your child’s life; not only will their room and living environment change completely, but the neighbourhood they’ve gotten used to and the friends they see every day are suddenly replaced by new ones. While it’s best to make sure your children are out of the way when the boxes and furniture is being moved, to ensure their safety, you should talk to them about the moving process, so they are aware of what’s going on. Tell them that their furniture and their favourite items aren’t going away forever, but that they are simply being stored away temporarily so that they can enjoy them in their new home. When you talk to your children and keep them in the loop, they’ll manage the moving process much more easily.

Pack your items as early as possible

The earlier you start packing, the less chaos and unexpected setbacks you will have to deal with as the moving day approaches. Start packing several weeks in advance, so that you only have a couple of quick and simple tasks to complete the night before the move. In order to avoid a radical change in your home that might affect your children negatively, pack up your least used rooms first, such as spare bedrooms, home offices and other rooms where children rarely spend time in, and always leave your children’s rooms until the very end, to make the move as comfortable as possible for them.

Choose the best moving option

Even though hiring a full-service moving company seems like a good idea, it might be best to opt for Budget truck rental when you’re moving house with children. This will give you more freedom to move at your own pace, since you won’t be constricted to a tight schedule and you won’t have to depend on other people. Not only will you be able to organize the move according to the needs of your family when you decide to rent a truck, but you might even save some money on moving and transport costs. What’s more, you will get the opportunity to turn the moving process into a fun bonding activity you can do as a family, helping your children feel more positively about the experience.

Create a detailed moving day schedule

To avoid the turmoil and confusion that often comes with moving and ensure a smooth and stress-free moving day, get organized and construct a detailed schedule, as well as a to-do list. If you can, start planning the move at least two or three months in advance. Make lists of everything you need to do, then divide those tasks up so that the list gets shorter every week. Even though there will always be some last minute changes and unexpected setbacks, having a detailed plan will help you tackle them more quickly and efficiently. Including your children in this plan is also a good idea, as it keeps them in the loop and helps them feel actively involved in the moving process.

Get settled into your new home

Get your kids’ rooms situated as quickly as you can by unpacking their boxes as soon as you arrive in your new home and making the space as familiar as possible with their favorite bedding and stuffed toys. It would be a good idea to include your children in the unpacking process to keep them occupied and help ease your own workload. Once you’re settled in, feel free to play lots of games, such as tag or hide and seek, which will encourage your children to explore their new home. As they deal with the stresses of moving, you might expect some tears and tantrums, which is why it’s always best to create a safe space for them where they can talk about their feelings.

Lastly, give both your children and yourself plenty of time and space to settle in. Moving house can be a drastic change, and it can take a while for life to feel normal again.