For a child, moving home can have a greater emotional impact, certainly in terms of the losses the move represents. This may be the loss of a safe and familiar environment, the potential of leaving friends behind, having to start again or being a new person at school. The impact can be huge, but there are ways to keep your children re-assured and enthusiastic about the future move.
So, here is some advice on keeping children involved
– Talk to children about the move and do it at an early stage so that they have time to get used to the idea – offer re-assurance every step of the way.
– If your child can’t join you when undertaking viewings, take some photos or a video of the area.
– Discuss the new home with them, and give them lots of facts and information, not only about the new home (where they will eat, sleep and play) but the surrounding area too – use facts that are appropriate for their age group and level of understanding.
– Although children can’t get involved in the bigger aspects of the home purchase, they can get involved in helping decide on colour schemes and decorations, by doing this they will feel part of the process – have them draw pictures of how they will arrange their new room.
– Moving day can be stressful for parents – children are always listening and may pick up on your anxieties, plus on this busy day, it may be a good idea for children to be with relatives or friends, if the children are with you, get them to document the move through pictures and then create a ‘moving’ chapter for the photo album.
– Just before you leave your old home, walk through each room and say “goodbye” – this helps young children to develop closure.
– When toys are being packed into boxes, explain why and where they are going, otherwise, a child may worry that they are disappearing for good.
– Don’t buy a new bed or bedding when you initially move home – this can create a feeling of insecurity – old things keep it familiar.
– If you have a school-age child, the big question is whether they will like their new school and make new friends – if the move takes place over the summer holidays then the child has more time to get used to the idea and is making a fresh start with the rest of the children – although the child may have to spend summer without their old friends – organise things so that children are not bored or lonely.
– Arrange for friends and family to visit – if they are too far away arrange a video call and before you leave your old home – give your child an address book, arrange a party and have each friend add to a ‘goodbye memory book’.
Once you have moved, get back to the status quo as quickly as you can, children are resilient and will adapt well to the move quickly – they will almost certainly enjoy their new home and the lifestyle that goes with it as much as the old one.
Hand-holding you through the process whatever the age
At David Phillip Estate Agents, we understand that moving home can be a challenging time for children, but even if the move is for a positive reason it can be stressful for adults too – we like to think we handhold you not just through the ‘looking for a buyer’ time but right through to completion.
If you would like a free market appraisal, and advice on selling your home then
t: 01134 676 400,
w: davidphillip.co.uk,
e: info@davidphillip.co.uk
a: 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN
*This is an advertorial blog for David Phillip Estate Agents
