Families on the move

Total Realty director and mother of four Rachael Cone shows families moving house how to set the scene for a smooth transition.

Whatever the reasons are for moving home it’s important to discuss and involve the move with your kids. Involve them by taking them to open homes and asking which room they like best and what they love about the home. Once they feel involved, your children may get more excited than you are, and you have won half the battle.

Here are some ways to ensure that your house move is a bonding and positive experience for your family.

Decluttering

A garage sale is a great way to minimise and offload any extra items you no longer need while making a fun family activity of it. If you don’t have time for this, consider donating to charity.

Packing

Pack away non-essential items as early as possible, including extra linen, blankets, and toys. Then get your children to name and decorate their own boxes!

Cleaning

Write a list of what needs to be done and check who wants which jobs on the ‘to-do’ list. You could consider having a reward beside the job once completed.

Start cleaning walls, ceilings, surfaces, windows and skirting boards before the move. This way, cleaning on the day will be quick and relatively painless.

Inspire and entertain

Find books about moving house and read them with your children. It’s also fun for younger children to draw pictures of their new home to inspire their enthusiasm and imagination.

On moving day, make sure you have activities, breakfast, lunch and nibbles and water bottles full. Empty a room in the new home and make this the playroom for the younger ones. You could even put up a temporary gate, especially if there are a lot of vehicles going in and out of the property moving furniture.

Ask for help

Always accept any offers of assistance and do ask for help. If you are lucky enough to have family or friends nearby, organise assistance on moving day.

Say goodbye

Before moving day, have a ‘Goodbye Party’! Have a party with the kids to celebrate the good times and if you are moving out of town, have a party with friends and family at your place, the local park or a club. A chance to say goodbye is really important and not just for the kids.

Moving with children may seem like a momentous task, but this is also a family adventure that will bring moments to cherish for years to come.

For more advice or to discuss the current market, please call our friendly team, South Island wide!

0800 663 737 | totalrealty.co.nz