Moving homes can be very stressful and particularly if you have children! From making sure your children feel comfortable and at ease with the move to actually physically packing up your home, the task at hand can seem very daunting!

From the moment you decide on making a move, it’s important to involve your children and take them along with you when you’re searching for a new home. This will give you a chance to get them excited about their new neighbourhood and for you to reassure them if need be. Encourage them to start planning their new room and what special things they could include in their new room. Maybe a new paint colour, doona cover or picture for the wall.

In the weeks leading up to the move, make sure everything is planned out and you have a detailed timeline of what needs to be done and by who!

Let the kids help with packing up your home. They can help pack the non-fragile items and label the boxes. This will make sure they feel included. Remember to stay positive and when things start to become stressful, take a deep breath.

If you can arrange a friend, family or a baby sitter for moving day, make sure this is booked in in advance. This will give you free time to organise and focus on moving day. If this isn’t possible, then try to be as prepared as possible to keep the kids busy and out of your way. Lots of snacks, games, colouring in books, books to read etc can all help pass the time quickly.

Try to be flexible! Even with a fool proof plan, things sometimes don’t always go the way they should. Try to be tolerant of tantrums in little ones and moody behaviours in teens. It’s a big change for them as well! Before you know it you will be able to put your feet up as you and your family settle into your new home