How to Make Your Next Household Relocation a Family Affair

Moving to a new home or new city can be an exciting, yet stressful experience. This is particularly true in the case of families with small children. One of the ways to improve the experience is to get children involved by finding age appropriate tasks relating to your relocation that can give them a sense of ownership in the process.

We asked our relocation experts here at King Companies for their tips on engaging the entire family in the moving process and here are top five recommendations:

• Choosing a new home. It’s important to make children a part of the process from the very beginning of your relocation. When looking at new apartments, condos or houses, bring them along and ask for their feedback on what they like, or don’t like, about the home. Even though the decision is ultimately up to you as the parent or guardian to decide what is best for the family, let them know that they are being heard by validating their feedback and making them a part of the decision-making process.
• Out with the old. In most cases, moving to a new home will involve getting rid of items that are no longer needed. Ask them to go through their room and set aside clothing, books and toys they don’t plan to take with them to your hew home. This provides children with yet another opportunity to be involved in the decisions around the relocation.
• In with the new. Get children excited about the new home by giving them an opportunity to design elements of their new room. Ask them to draw a picture, print pictures from the Internet, or cut out magazine photos that illustrate furnishings or decorations they want to copy in their new room. Knowing they have some control over what their new space will look like can help them get excited about their new home.
• Have each member of the family create an “essentials kit” of clothing and other items they will need just before and right after the move. Having a small bag for each family member with pajamas, toothbrush and toothpaste, a cuddle toy (for the children), and other essential items can reduce stress during the move. And, having your children create their own “essentials kit” gives them ownership of the process and ensures that they have the items they want and need immediate access to during the move.
• Once your household goods have arrived at your new home, keep the children involved by engaging them in unpacking and organizing their own rooms. Having the ability to place items where they want them in their new spaces gives them more control and helps them make their new room special to them.

These are just a few examples of how to involve your children in your next household relocation. Remember, keeping them involved throughout the entire move by providing a list of tasks that will keep them busy can reduce the stress of your move on everyone.

Thank you to all of our valued customers who have placed their trust in King Companies to relocate you and your family. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again in the future.

About King Companies
As an agent of United Van Lines, King Companies has the resources and expertise to be your “go-to” resource for all relocation needs. Whether you are relocating your household, moving an office, or are in need of logistics services, we strive to ensure that your next move will be the best you will ever make. Call us today at 800-854-3679 to learn more.

We hope that you will consider King Companies for your future relocation needs. To learn more about our services, visit is at www.kingcompaniesusa.com. And, don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ for our latest news and updates!