Moving house is stressful in any situation, but moving to another country can be overwhelming. There are so many things to think about, and this all becomes even more complicated when children are involved. Making sure the transition is as smooth and stress free as possible is any parent’s biggest concern, then. Such a big change can at first be tough for the little ones, but once settled in, their resilience and adaptability will shine through. To make the switch as serene as possible, here are 5 IDEAL ways to make moving with kids easier.
INVOLVE THEM IN THE MOVING PROCESS
Once you’ve made the decision to move and have got on top of various administrative asks, it’s time to start packing those boxes. If it hadn’t sunk it that change is afoot, now is the time that things will start to seem real.
Frame the move as an exciting adventure for all of you by including them in the packing process, discussing what is most important to them and asking them to help out. Sure, this may be a little less time-efficient than cracking on with it whilst you sit them in front of the TV, but it’s worth the sacrifice to help them feel included and important; helping you to build a feeling of involvement and dialogue. This is especially true of older children, who will probably find it harder to leave their friends and family behind when moving overseas
DON’T FORGET THE TOYS
Having your children’s favourite toys at hand when moving house is crucial. Some comfort and nostalgia, of course, needs to exist, offering continuity and warmth in what can sometimes be quite a turbulent time.
The toy experts at Darlington Diecast, who stock rare diecast model cars UK, recommend that for more expensive toys, it’s essential that you ensure they’re packed away safely and securely. Unpacking on the other side only to find your child’s beloved toys have been damaged isn’t exactly going to herald the start of a harmonious new era.
What you should remember is that any big shipments of ‘stuff’ will take an average of 6 to 14 weeks to be delivered to your new home – depending on which country you’re making home – so make sure you have some packed in the hand luggage, as it were.
BE RUTHLESS
Children will most likely want to take everything with them, or at the least be very non discriminatory – random, even – in their packing. So, what should they take? Well, it’s important to exercise a fair bit of discipline, as shipping boxes costs money, and stuff can accumulate pretty quickly. Of course, anything of sentimental value to your little one should take precedence, but ask yourself do you really need a fifth box of lego?
TAKE ENTERTAINMENT
We all know that laptops, computers, iPads and mobile phones are the number one thing you and your older (or younger) children will need to take with you. Other electronic items like stereos and PlayStation also bring great value in helping everyone to settle in to their new life. Remember to make sure that they will be working in other countries as some televisions, videos and DVD players do not work properly in countries like Australia and New Zealand.
BE FLEXIBLE
Every family is different, and in the end it depends on the parents, the kids and shared decisions. Some families prefer to do is as quick as possible without letting the children know, some of them plan it long way in advance to prepare the kids for the departure. Nevertheless, if you feel like it is getting too much or you are scared to do all of this on your own, it can be easier if you use an international moving company as they can help you with the moving and you have one less thing to worry about.