So, you have decided to move house and avoid the costs of self storage. But, there are children involved and you are worried how you are going to cope on moving day?

This is a problem faced by many young parents when moving into a new home, and looking after children during a move can be a trying and stressful time. But there are plenty of things you can do to make the move a lot easier, especially if you have a large group of friends or extended family!

When moving house, it’s time to call in some old favours and get as many people as you can involved in looking after your children. Believe me; you will have plenty on your plate on moving day without having to worry about the kids.

Moving into a new house can be a big adventure for kids, and that’s one of the best things you can do. Make the move an adventure! It might be easier to say this than to put into practice, but if you follow a few simple steps it can be a lot easier than you think. It’s going to be a busy time but let’s put a plan into action.

• First, start talking to the children as far in advance as possible about the move to a new house. Always sound upbeat and talk with excitement whenever you mention the move. Don’t forget to take some pictures of the new house so you can show them what it looks like. Of course, if you are moving within the same city, you can take them for a drive to have a look.
• If the children will be required to change schools, it’s important that they understand that they will always be able to keep in touch with their old friends. In fact, some parents say it is a good idea to involve friends in planning the move so that there are reassurances all round.
• Find out about the new neighbourhood, learn about things like parks and playgrounds and discuss these with your children. Remember to tell them how exciting it will be, and how they will be able to enjoy all the new amenities in their new neighbourhood.
• Prior to moving day, get your children to start packing their rooms. Give them plenty of boxes and also offer them some assistance, but let them do the majority of the work themselves. Help them to label the boxes so that they know where their things are, but remember to take out special toys that they will want to play with when moving day comes around.
• If you think it is really important, you might want to consult a child psychologist. This would be indicated where children are showing signs of distress or fear, especially if you are moving to a new state or country.

On moving day, ensure your children are looked after well by friends or family. This is one task that you can’t be expected to do by yourself so, forget about the self storage facility and the packing, just make sure the children are well looked after.