Santa's Little Helpers: How to Involve Kids in Your Holiday Move
Moving during the holiday season can be challenging, especially with children. Balancing packing with holiday activities can feel overwhelming for parents and kids alike. Children may feel like they’re missing out on their favourite traditions and spending time with loved ones. However, involving them in the process and turning the move into an exciting new chapter,
can help ease the emotional stress. In this blog, we’ll explore several ways to make moving during the holidays more manageable with your children. From packing together to maintaining holiday cheer, these tips will help make the transition smoother for everyone.
1. Acknowledge the Emotional Effects of Moving
Moving with a child, especially a toddler, can be challenging. Young children may feel upset about leaving their familiar surroundings, including their home, school and friends. During the holidays, these emotions can intensify as kids often participate in special family traditions and connect with loved ones. Experts say that home relocation can disrupt a child’s sense of security and routine, causing them to feel anxious, sad or confused, especially if they don’t fully understand why the move is happening. Moving with a toddler, specifically, can be difficult as these young children struggle to express their emotions verbally, leading to tantrums or changes in behaviour. Older children, on the other hand, might feel a deep sense of loss over leaving their friends and the community they know. Whether you’re moving with a toddler or a pre-teen, it’s important to acknowledge the emotional effects of moving and give your kids space to express their feelings. Have open conversations about the move, letting them know it’s okay to feel sad or nervous. Encourage them to talk about what excites or worries them and reassure them that while some things will change, others, like family traditions, will remain. Framing the move as an exciting adventure can also help. For example, highlight fun things to look forward to, like decorating their new room or exploring parks in the new neighbourhood. This approach can make the move feel less overwhelming and more like a fresh start.
2. Make Packing a Family Activity
Packing up an entire household can feel overwhelming, especially when it falls on one person. Instead of shouldering the burden alone, why not turn it into a family activity? Involving your kids not only makes the process more manageable but it also gives them a sense of responsibility and control over the move. For younger children, this can be as simple as having them pack their toys or books into boxes. Toddlers, in particular, love being given tasks, and even if their “help” is small, it makes them feel included in the process. You can make packing more enjoyable by turning it into a game – see who can pack their toys the fastest or who can label the most boxes with colourful stickers. While it might not be the most efficient way, it creates fun, lasting memories for the whole family. Older kids can take on more responsibilities, like sorting through their belongings and deciding what to keep or donate. This is a great opportunity for them to declutter and learn the value of giving, especially during the holiday season. If you plan to donate items, take your children with you to drop them off at a local charity. This allows them to see how their actions make a positive impact, which can be a rewarding experience. Once you arrive at your new home, allow your kids to choose which items they want to unpack first. Giving them the freedom to decide helps them feel more comfortable and in control of their surroundings, making the move feel less like something that’s happening to them and more like an experience they’re actively involved in.
3. Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive
One of the biggest worries about moving during the holidays is that the magic of the season might get lost amid all the packing, moving and unpacking. To keep the holiday spirit alive, try to find creative ways to incorporate festive elements into your move. For example, you could play holiday music while packing, set up a small craft station where your kids can make decorations for the new home, or build gingerbread houses together in the middle of the home relocation chaos. If your house is already packed up, consider bringing a mini tree or some favourite decorations to your new home ahead of time. Creating a “holiday corner” where your children can help decorate will make the space feel festive and inviting, even if the rest of the house is still in boxes. You can also start new holiday traditions around your move. Perhaps you could have a “first-holiday dinner” picnic in your living room, surrounded by moving boxes yet filled with holiday cheer. The goal is to blend the excitement of moving with the magic of the holidays so that your children don’t feel like they’re missing out on their usual traditions.
4. Plan a “Welcome to Our New Home” Scavenger Hunt
Children thrive on routine and familiarity, so one effective way to help them adjust to their new home is by creating positive associations right from the start. One fun way to do this is by organizing a scavenger hunt around the new house. This interactive activity lets your kids explore their new space in a relaxed and enjoyable way, helping them become comfortable with their surroundings. To set it up, create a list of fun and engaging items for your kids to find, such as “the coziest corner for reading,” “the spot where we’ll have a family movie night,” or “the best place to play in the backyard.” To add a touch of holiday magic, you can include holiday-themed items like “find the best place for the Christmas tree” or “find a spot where Santa might land his sleigh.” This scavenger hunt can spark excitement as your children discover their new home, helping them shift their focus away from what they’re leaving behind.
5. Create New Holiday Traditions in Your New Home
Moving with children during the holidays can be stressful, but it also offers a great opportunity to create new family traditions or refresh old ones. For instance, you might bake cookies together in your new kitchen or take a walk around your neighbourhood to admire the Christmas lights. You could even start a tradition of having a holiday movie night once all the boxes are unpacked. These activities can help foster a sense of comfort, even in unfamiliar settings. Establishing new traditions makes the move feel like an exciting fresh start rather than a disruption. Plus, these shared experiences create unforgettable memories that help your children bond with their new home, making the space feel more personal.
6. Keep all Lines of Communication Open
Throughout the home relocation process, it’s important to regularly check in with your kids. Ask them how they feel about the move, listen to their concerns and offer reassurance. Moving with children requires additional patience and understanding, especially since they might feel like they’re losing out on something important. Keep reminding them of all the exciting opportunities that await them at their new place – like making new friends and enjoying new experiences. You can also share your own stories about moving, whether from your childhood or as an adult. This helps them understand that moving is a common life experience and something they can successfully navigate. Normalize their feelings and reassure them that you’ll be there to support them through this transition.
7. Involve a Professional Moving Company
One of the best ways to make your holiday move easier is by hiring a professional moving company. Let the movers handle the heavy lifting so you can concentrate on your family. A professional moving company not only take the stress off logistics but also has the experience to manage any unexpected challenges that may come up during the process. By choosing a reputable moving company like Bird’s Moving & Storage, you can free up time to focus on making the move a positive experience for your children. Whether you’re moving with a toddler or an older child, professionals can help lighten the load, giving you more energy to keep the holiday spirit alive.
Make Holiday Moves with Kids Stress-Free with Bird’s Moving!
Moving with kids during the holidays doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By involving your children in the process, keeping holiday traditions alive and creating fun activities in your new home, you can transform a challenging situation into an exciting new chapter. Remember, it’s not just about relocating; it’s about bringing your holiday spirit and family traditions along for the journey. With these tips, you can ensure that your little ones, and even your older kids, feel like Santa’s helpers instead of bystanders during your holiday move. For a stress-free move this holiday season, reach out to Bird’s Moving & Storage, your trusted partner in making home relocation a breeze. Happy holidays!