Preparing a Serene Move
Hopefully (keeping my fingers crossed, since I cannot even begin to describe the obstacles and delays one faces when building a house from scratch), we should have moved into our brand new house by September, which is an hour away from where we live now. Let me just say: it will be a drastic change. For our son, who has only ever known our current apartment, the change will be rather disorienting.
What can one do in a situation like this? How can this move happen as smoothly as possible?
Take your child on a tour of the new house
It might be wise to bring your child with you when taking a tour of the new house (or the new apartment) before you move in. But I believe it’s wiser not to bring him too early on in the process, just so that he doesn’t become obsessed about it.
Just last week – for the first time since the beginning of the constructions two years ago – we took our sons on a tour of the interior. We showed them their rooms, explained them who will sleep where, showed them the garden where they will soon be able to play, and we will keep talking to them about it up until the time we actually move in.
If the apartment you happen to move in is still occupied, and therefore you cannot bring you child to see it with you, be sure to ask to take pictures of the rooms so that you can share them and discuss them later on together. Take a walk around the neighborhood and show him the places he will go to (the park, the school, the speech therapist’s practice, and so on).
Avoid arriving in the evening
Give him some time to get familiar with the premises. If you arrive late, he might have a hard time going to bed in these unfamiliar surroundings.
Prepare a survival kit
Spare yourself the panic of franticly looking for an item he cherishes. Fill a box with things he likes so that he can regain familiarity in his new room. Pack his favorite stuffed animal if he has one, prepare a CD player with his favorite songs, rearrange the furniture in a similar set up… Everything that you think can help him transition smoothly!
Make a picture board
How about making a collage with pictures of your old house? For example: pictures of his room, of the kitchen, of the living room, and so on. You can also hang another board beside it with pictures of the new house, in order for him to grow more and more familiar with it. (Even better: give it to him before moving in so that he recognizes these familiar places).
You can also make a “parallel collage board” that shows which room replaces which: photos of the old and the new kitchen side-by-side, old and new bedroom…
Associate the move with something pleasant
I know how hard a move can be, and that time is of the essence. But if you can involve him in an activity he enjoys on the big day, it will help him bare the changes.
For example, you could serve his favorite cake for dinner, or buy him a toy or a game he’s been wanting for a long time, and so on. You can also promise him a nice walk in a place he likes the next day (zoo, park…). And maybe you can insist on the fact that it’s only possible because of the move and the house’s new location.
Bring out hidden toys
This tip might seem lame, but you’ll understand in a minute. One month in advance, arrange to hide a few toys: some that he likes, some that amuse him and while you are at it, why not add a few knick-knacks he’ll be interested in.
Upon your arrival, let him discover this strange box in the middle of his room. For all you know, it might keep him busy for a good little while and he might forget all about the stress of moving. Allow him to be a bit messy during the first few days. If it helps him find his marks, it doesn’t matter so much.
These were the few ideas I had about moving. Do you have other tips? Have you moved recently? How was the transition for your child? Feel free to share your experiences in the comment section.
Translation: Eleonora
