Moving with Your Kids – Settling In – Part 3

Moving with Your Kids - Settling In - Part 3

The last part of this "settling in with kids" in-depth will help you and your family establish new routines as you arrive at your new home. The tips offered here are important to help your children get back to normal after this long moving process.

Unpacking

As your moving company shows up with your household goods, your last task begins, unpacking. Unpacking wisely is as important as packing wisely. When you approach your unpacking task, keep in mind that pack took you a while, so don't expect to unpack in one day.

One of the best tips for unpacking is priorities. If you prioritize your unpacking process, you are more likely to do it in an orderly manner and save time and energy.

Unpacking and setting up your kids' room should be a top priority as that will help your kids feel more comfortable in their new room, and therefore more comfortable in the new house.

The New Neighborhood

Getting to know your new neighborhood is important for comfort and safety. It is even more important for your kids. As they learn more about the neighborhood, they will get more and more attached to it and that will help them forget any fears they might have had.

As you take your kids to walk around the new neighborhood, be sure to explain them as quickly as possible the boundaries of where they can go and where they can't. Taking walks together is the best way to discover the new neighborhood and any surprises it offers.

Re-establishing Family Routines

When moving to a new neighborhood, there is always a time period that the family goes "off course" as living without your household items for a while requires certain adjustments such as eating out, sleeping at friends or relatives etc.

As your family settles in its new residence, it is important to re-establish the old day to day routines. It is possible the moving to a new home will lead to changing some of the old routines; however, getting back to a day to day routine is important for your kids.

Once you've moved in, aim to get back on your normal family schedule as quickly as possible. This will help younger children, in particular, as they need more consistency. It also sends the important message to all family members that you are the same family, just in a new setting.

Re-establishing the family routines includes setting up mealtimes, play times, bedtimes etc. try to enforce the rules gently to prevent any additional stress and to make it easy for your kids to get back to a day to day routine.

Recommended Reading
Moving With Your Kids – Settling In – Part 1
Moving With Your Kids – Settling In – Part 2