Ways to Make Moving Easier for Kids

By Angela Sellari

This post is sponsored by ABRAMS Books.

We have been reading the newest installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, WRECKING BALL,  where Greg and his family need to make renovations on their home. As the renovations start, so do the problems. There is mold, rotten wood, and all kinds of problems that make the family wonder if the house is worth the trouble. The question becomes, will the Heffleys stay or will they move out of town. Reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball got me thinking about the move we made over the summer and how crazy things can get when you’re moving homes.

Though we only moved one county over, this move was quite stressful. We temporarily downsized, and I grossly underestimated just how much stuff I have. Needless to say, I have a lot of stuff in storage until our next move.

Moving is never easy. It is stressful for all involved, including kids. There were some things that really seemed to help make the transition easier for my daughter, and I’d like to share them with you.

When dealing with moving, kids can have a lot of questions. Children are likely to wonder if they will like their new house or if their toys will be there. They are stressed thinking that everything they love and know will be gone.  They need assurance. Try these ways to make moving easier for kids.

Ways to make moving easier for kids

Make a Wish List

While it isn’t possible to get everything kids ask for in a new house because it isn’t possible to get everything the parents want in a house, it can be great for kids to feel like they have a say. Maybe kids want a bigger back yard or to be near a playground, or maybe they want a fun play space in the house. Explain to the kids from the start that there is no guarantee that they will get everything they want, but making a wish list can help ease some of the anxiety since it will feel like they have a say in their new home.

Make a Special Box

If your child is stressed thinking about their special things being lost, create a special box for the “best of the best”. Decorate the outside of the box with drawings or stickers or paints, whatever make your child smile. Then all their treasures, whether it is a special rock, coloring books, stuffed animal or whatever other toys are the most special to your child, go into the box. This box will ride with your kids when you are moving to the new house. Your child will know that their special treasures are safe, and it will make them feel more at ease.

Make a Memory Book

Before things start getting packed up for the move, create a memory book. Take pictures of everything. Better yet, let your child take the pictures if they can. Then, print out the picture to put into a book. If you are crafty, you can go way out and scrapbook it. If you don’t have the time or want something a little more sturdy, you can get a photo album. The book can be something that your child looks at when they are missing their old home.

Pick Something Special for the New Room

It doesn’t have to be something huge. It can be a new stuffed animal or a new bed set. The idea is to make it something that your child will love. Let them pick it out. Once they have something special for their room, the transition will be easier.

I hired a moving company this time around, so my budget didn’t allow for a new room makeover. I purchased a few new toss pillows for T’s bed, and she was thrilled with that. Her bed is now the perfect, cozy spot for reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball.

Let the Kids Decorate Their Room

By letting the kids decorate their own rooms, you are letting them feel in control. The kids will have their own space that is exactly how they want it. This will help keep kids excited about the move and their new space.

Using these ideas will help kids be excited about moving and all the new possibilities.

Now that we are settled in to our new home, I can implement some more of T’s ideas for her new bedroom. First up is replacing the toy box under her window with a small writing desk. She really wants a place of her own where she can write in her journal and do homework. She also wants a place to better store all of her books. There really isn’t room for a bookcase, so I think we’ll do some floating shelves on one wall.

Lastly, she wants more art on the walls. T is a terrific artist, so we are going to frame some of her own art and create a gallery wall. I’ll be sure to share this with you when we’re done!

About Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball

If my 11-year-old had to choose one book series as her all-time favorite, it would be the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. She has enjoyed reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball so much. Every time she got to a funny part, she would read it to me, which was almost constantly. She basically read this entire book to me.

Greg had a lot of ideas for the new addition to their home, and even more ideas about his future dream house. Of course, T has had a lot to say about her own dream house which is going to be a cozy cottage on the beach.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball (recommended for ages 8 – 12) is now available in-store and online.