Moving is a big event, and this is even more true when you move as a family . It is sometimes difficult to get everyone to accept this change, which can cause conflicting emotions and tensions. Here are 5 tips that will help you get through the move smoothly with your whole family.
Moving with family
1. Discuss the move in advance
Not everyone reacts the same way to change, which is why it is important to discuss it as early as possible . This is even more true when the move is “forced”, for example during a transfer. Explaining why you are moving will allow everyone to spontaneously express their anxieties, but also to raise questions that you may not have thought of.
Be reassuring and emphasize the advantages of moving : a bigger house, the sea nearby… Focus on the most important points such as the children’s schooling , and the impact on your professional life and that of your spouse. You can then look for accommodation according to these needs.
2. Make it a family project
A successful move requires dialogue . You will not be able to make decisions alone and impose them on your family without creating arguments. Take advantage of this event to make it a real family project in which everyone will feel involved.
Choose your new home together, taking into account (as far as possible) each person’s desires and needs. Involve your children (from 3 years old) in preparing their boxes and decorating their new room. Delegate some of the formalities to be carried out to your spouse . If everyone is responsible, the move will be less stressful and will take place in a good mood.
3. Take your time
Moving for the rest of your life is not something you can improvise at the last minute! Allow two to three months to be ready on the big day. Make a checklist to complete the administrative formalities at the right time (termination of the lease, energy contracts, etc.) and start packing 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
Moving also means accepting to project yourself into something new . It takes time… Listen to your children : prepare the little ones for the stages of the move with a book ( The Pig Family Moves ), reassure your teenager that he will stay in touch with his friends and that he will make new ones. Once settled, give everyone time to unpack their boxes and take possession of the place.
4. Sorting
Sorting takes time but allows you to move light , both in your boxes and in your head! However, do not underestimate the sentimental value of objects: starting your boxes early will allow you to keep what you really want to take with you.
Take part in a yard sale with the children: it’s a friendly moment, and the prospect of a little pocket money (to buy new toys, etc.) can motivate the most reluctant to get rid of what they no longer use. However, make sure to keep their reference points : if your child is used to having a night light next to their bed, they should be able to find it in the same place in their new room.
5. Take breaks
Preparing for a move is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to take breaks from the preparations in order to enjoy time together and with family . Cinema, restaurant, weekend in the mountains… Plan a small budget for these activities in order to “escape” from your daily life filled with boxes.
You can also approach your move from a different angle, for example by discovering your future environment as a family (park, leisure area, etc.) or by preparing the decoration of your new home together (customizing furniture, DIY workshop, etc.). These breaks will allow your family to approach the change in a positive way and to consider your move as a path to your new home.
