8 Steps To Consider While Moving With Kids For A Stress-Free Experience
Moving with a baby or toddler can be quite challenging. There are several procedures that parents must take to guarantee a safe and pleasant relocation along with their child. Moving with newborns and toddlers doesn’t have to be stressful if you have the correct strategy in place. Here we are discussing some of the points that help you in making a move smooth with infants.
1. Discuss The Move With Your Kids
First and foremost, if you have a child, make sure to inform them about the upcoming relocation. It will put them at ease and prepare them for what is to come. Use simple words and make the possibility of moving sound like a pleasant and exciting experience when talking to your child about the relocation. Make every attempt to keep yourself calm during the relocation, as young kids are sensitive to their parents’ anxiety.
You’ll also want to get younger children used to the physical chaos that comes with moving. Allowing little children to play with safe moving materials such as bubble wrap gives a pleasant sensory experience while also helping them prepare for the move.
2. Prioritise Medical Needs
Make an appointment with your baby’s current paediatrician before you leave. Ascertain if they are up to date on all shots and routine tests. This step will give you some time to settle into your new home before you need to schedule another visit.
Consider selecting a paediatrician in your new neighbourhood before you arrive to get a head start. You can seek advice from your realtor.
3. Prepare A Kit Of Baby Essentials
Preparing for everything is the greatest approach to making moving with newborns and toddlers easier. We recommend putting together a moving emergency kit with everything you’ll need both on the road and at your new home, including:
- Your child’s favourite toy: Keep your child’s favourite toys within easy reach. It’s usually a good idea to keep more of these toys in your emergency kit than you think you’ll need.
- Extra stuff for your diaper bag: You’ll obviously need to prepare your kid’s diaper bag before moving. However, you’ll want to know where the spares are if you need to refill. Pack an additional diaper bag item in a separate bag that can be quickly retrieved when a refill is needed.
- Extra clothes: Pack a second suitcase full of outfits your child can wear for the following few days to prevent having to unpack all of your child’s clothes the moment you arrive. These are also useful in the event of a spill, leak, or other kid-related emergencies during the relocation.
- Snacks and drinks: Have food and beverages on hand at all times. Any circumstance can be made more stressful by a moody child, and angry parents just add to the problem. Keep food available for both you and your youngster, and don’t forget to remain hydrated.
- Cleaning supplies: Pack a box of cleaning items that are conveniently accessible. You’ll be able to rapidly clean a space in the new house for your child to lay, roll, crawl, or walk-in.
4. Seek For Help
With a move, you’ll need every extra pair of hands you can get, even your own. As a result, you should hire a babysitter, family member, or friend to watch your child while you relocate — whether to your old house, new home or somewhere else entirely. Ask for advice from family members or friends in hiring a babysitter to watch your children on moving day, as well as the days preceding up to the move so that you can focus on the job at hand. While sleepy babies may be easier to carry during a relocation, curious and energetic toddlers will undoubtedly be crawling around everywhere.
5. Keep A Consistent Schedule For Your Child
Consistency is important when it comes to raising a child. When planning your move, make sure you create a schedule that will assist your infant in keeping a consistent routine. This will not only ensure that your infant or toddler is as happy as possible, but it will also help your day run as smoothly as possible.
While keeping a regular napping and feeding schedule will be tough, do your best to make the baby’s routine as normal as possible while moving. Consistency is beneficial for children because it provides them with a sense of security, which is especially important throughout the stressful moving process. Not to mention that keeping your baby on a routine will help you preserve your sanity.
6. Take Extra Precautions To Ensure Safety
The relocation process is potentially very challenging, such as tripping or falling. Create a safe zone for your small kids throughout the relocation to keep them out of harm’s way. On moving day, keep potentially harmful goods away from your children, such as scissors, cleaning products, and furniture with sharp edges. Set up these items to ensure your child’s safety while loading and unloading.
- Playpen: To keep kids safe, set up a playpen and fill it with their favourite toys.
- Gate for the baby: Install a baby gate in the doorway so that your child does not get lost in their new home.
- Various caring items: If your child is too small for a playpen, try baby-wearing instead. This method can be helpful at the time of unpacking also.
7. Keep Yourself Calm During The Move
We understand how stressful moving can be. Unfortunately, toddlers and small children are sensitive to stress in their environment, particularly stressful emotions from their parents. If a child is already concerned about a move, this will only make things worse. Changes in a toddler’s sleep and eating habits, as well as unexpected temper tantrums and weeping spells, are all indicators that he or she is unhappy.
It’s essential that you should stay calm during the relocation in order to keep your kid as relaxed as possible. You can even ask your realtor about nearby parks or walking paths so you can get some fresh air when you need it. Throughout, do everything it takes to keep everyone cool, calm and collected.
8. Unpack Their Item First
You should unpack their belongings as soon as possible after arriving at your new location. Because they’ll keep asking for their favourite item, and you’ll become irritated. Children quickly adjust to their new surroundings, and they will also assist you in placing and organising their belongings. In the beginning, you should strive to keep their room looking the same as it did before. This effort will assist them in adjusting to their new surroundings.
Last Note
These tips will help you a lot while relocating with kids. We strongly recommend hiring professional movers to assist with all heavy lifting on moving day if it is within your budget. This way, you can concentrate on your infant rather than on the unpleasant difficulties of moving.
If you are planning to move interstate with small kids, then don’t worry; we are here. HAP Interstate Removalist provides the most cost-effective and efficient interstate moving service. We have a team of highly qualified and experienced removalists who are fully accountable for this job.
Call us at 1300 369 699 to speak with one of our helpful representatives.