Moving house can be stressful and upsetting for everyone, but particularly for young children, especially if they’ve only known one home. But with a plan, a little foresight and creativity, moving to a new home need not be a traumatic experience.

BEFORE MOVING
Keep the children as involved as possible in the process of moving house. Before you start looking for a new place, talk to them about what they’d like a new place to have, or even draw pictures of what they want their new bedroom to look like.

Once you’ve chosen and/or purchased the new house, take the children for a walk-through so they can see their new bedrooms and play area like the back garden. Or have them look at the house online.

If possible, make a few visits to the new neighbourhood before moving so the children can see where their new school is, where the local playgrounds are. Take some time to walk around the area so everyone can get their bearings.

Have your children research the new neighbourhood or town themselves and make a list of places they want to visit.

DURING MOVING
Let each child pack a box of their favourite toys, then have them write their name on it, and decorate it if they want to. And make sure they help load it into the car or moving van so they know it’s going with them to the new house.

Keep calm! Children will pick up on your stress and anxiety about moving, so try and focus on making it a fun adventure. It may even ease your own state of mind!

Keep a picnic basket available and well-stocked with plenty of snacks and drinks to keep children happy and refuelled.

AFTER MOVING
Once you arrive in your new house, unpack and set up the children’s rooms as a priority so they feel more at home. Make sure the rooms are welcoming and recognisable as theirs with familiar duvet covers, furniture, toys and books.

If they are old enough, perhaps give each child a responsibility such as unpacking books or toys to keep them occupied and the day running smoothly.

Keep a few large moving boxes for having fun and making forts.

Plan a special celebration “first night” dinner, that’s easy to prepare and fun – perhaps a pizza picnic on the lounge floor?

Set up a treasure hunt in and out in the backyard of the new home so the kids become familiar and positive about the house.

After moving day, try and return to the normal routine of bed times and meal times, school and play as quickly as possible to help everybody settle.

If you are looking to sell or buy, contact your local real estate professionals on 4628 7444.