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Kids of all ages will challenge parent’s patience when a move is happening. The key is knowing what to expect and letting some of it happen. Planning ahead helps, but cannot alleviate all kid meltdowns. 
Here are some great ideas parents can use to get kids adjusted to the idea of moving and on board with their new life.
In This Post:
Give Them Advance Warning
Parents says that children need to know in advance of a move to process the change. The younger the child, the more time they need to adapt. The youngest children need a month or more notice. Older children can adapt with just a week or two warning. Sometimes making a scrapbook with pictures of favorite places in the home and neighborhood is helpful.
Allow for Tantrums
All kids rebel at one time or another. A family move or constant house viewings can disrupt schedules and make children cranky. Younger kids are likely to throw temper tantrums or regress behaviors like sleeping on their own or going all night without wetting the bed. Be understanding and stick to schedules as much as possible to ease the stress.
Welcome Them Home
Put together your children’s favorite candies, savory snacks, juices, and games. Put in a few new things to peak their curiosity and add their comfort items, an electronic device with a charger, and a maybe a note of encouragement from mom and dad. Putting in a special gift for the child to open in the new home is another idea to make a move easier.
Grant Some Control
Using color coded boxing systems is a fun way to get younger kids and teens involved in the packing process. Let them decide which boxes to pack stuffed animals, clothes, and toys. Give them a bit of say about what to keep and donate as you pack. Pregnancy says to let the older kids take care of pets during the move or assign them tasks like taking down curtains, checking closets, or moving boxes to the lower level of the home so they feel like they are contributing something important to the process.
Customize
Make kids feel like things are new and fun by personalizing some of their luggage and packing materials in a fun way. Order custom equipment cases for their most precious items like musical instruments, trophies, stereo equipment, and electronics. Allcases even offer a flat screen tv transport case that can be fun for the kids to see. Letting teens and little ones know that their valuables are important to you too will help them appreciate the entire process. Making a home move is an organized mess at best and tends to stress everyone out. By thinking about ways to make things easier for the kids, you can ease your worries at the same time. Find some time to spend with each other before and after the move, including making time to reflect on moving and the emotions that come along with leaving people they love if moving long distance.