Make no mistake, moving into a new apartment can be tough - there's a new part of the city to get used to (or a whole new city entirely!), new roads and bus routes to learn, figuring out where all of the different stores are ...
It's hard enough to do when you're by yourself, but when you bring kids into the equation, moving can become an even greater challenge.
Changing schools, leaving behind friends and classmates, giving up familiar routines, and living in a brand new environment can be very difficult for many children.
Before moving with kids into your new Ottawa apartment, we've put together a quick moving checklist to help make your move into a new apartment as smooth as possible - both for you and your children.
Before the Move: Tell your children about the move as soon as you can.
The more time they have to get used to the idea of moving, the easier it will be for them when the big day finally arrives.
Involve your kids as early as possible.
If you give them specific tasks to do early on in the moving process, you can help your children have a sense of control over this potentially scary situation.
As an example, you could let them participate in the apartment-hunting process by getting their opinions on the pros and cons (from their viewpoint) of the different apartments / neighborhoods that you look at.
Take a tour of the new neighborhood.
Before you move in, take your children to your new apartment and explore the new neighborhood together.
Let them see the nearby parks, schools, stores, etc.
, as knowing about these places ahead of time will help ease their fears of the unknown (and possibly even make them look forward to visiting these cool new places on a regular basis once you're all moved in!).
Put together a friends list.
When moving with young children, leaving behind their old school and friends is perhaps the hardest part of the entire process.
To help ease the transition, help your children prepare a list of phone numbers and email addresses of all of their close friends and relatives.
Knowing that they can stay in touch with the important people in their lives, even when they're in the new apartment, is a very important part of a successful move.
During the Move: Involve your kids in the packing.
Packing can be a tedious process at the best of times.
To make the whole exercise a little more fun for everybody, you can have your kids decorate the boxes containing their things.
As an added bonus, doing so will also make finding their things easier once you're at the new apartment! Don't pack up everything.
It's important that you don't pack away everything before the big move.
Special items such as blankets, stuffed animals, books, etc.
, should be placed in a separate container that can be taken in the car with the kids.
This way, the kids get peace of mind knowing that their favourite things won't get lost or left behind.
Stay positive.
When moving with children, it's very important to stay as upbeat and calm as you can, as your own mood will greatly impact the mood of your children - if you hate moving, chances are they will, too.
After the Move: Don't spend all of your time unpacking.
Yes, you'll need to get all of those essential items out of the boxes as soon as possible, but try to spread the unpacking process out over a few days, if possible.
For most kids, unpacking is boring - they want to explore! It's important to put down the boxes and take the time to really explore your new neighborhood and spend time with your family.
Go for a walk, check out the nearby stores and restaurants, relax at the park ...
how you spend this time is up to you.
Ask for your child's input.
Give your children a chance to pitch in some ideas when you're settling in to your new apartment.
Openly ask for their ideas, especially when choosing items for their rooms or deciding on the layout of the apartment.
If they feel that they've helped "create" the new apartment, your kids will be more inclined to think of it as their new home instead of a scary, unknown place.
Try to maintain daily routines.
While children are adjusting to new homes, neighborhoods, and schools, parents can provide some comfort by keeping some things the same.
For instance, having the same morning and bedtime routines, meal times, etc.
might be extremely comforting, especially for younger children.
Above all, listen.
Regularly ask how things are going for them at the new apartment.
Some kids have a hard time opening up - spending some relaxed time together may help them to bring up whatever is on their minds.
It's hard enough to do when you're by yourself, but when you bring kids into the equation, moving can become an even greater challenge.
Changing schools, leaving behind friends and classmates, giving up familiar routines, and living in a brand new environment can be very difficult for many children.
Before moving with kids into your new Ottawa apartment, we've put together a quick moving checklist to help make your move into a new apartment as smooth as possible - both for you and your children.
Before the Move: Tell your children about the move as soon as you can.
The more time they have to get used to the idea of moving, the easier it will be for them when the big day finally arrives.
Involve your kids as early as possible.
If you give them specific tasks to do early on in the moving process, you can help your children have a sense of control over this potentially scary situation.
As an example, you could let them participate in the apartment-hunting process by getting their opinions on the pros and cons (from their viewpoint) of the different apartments / neighborhoods that you look at.
Take a tour of the new neighborhood.
Before you move in, take your children to your new apartment and explore the new neighborhood together.
Let them see the nearby parks, schools, stores, etc.
, as knowing about these places ahead of time will help ease their fears of the unknown (and possibly even make them look forward to visiting these cool new places on a regular basis once you're all moved in!).
Put together a friends list.
When moving with young children, leaving behind their old school and friends is perhaps the hardest part of the entire process.
To help ease the transition, help your children prepare a list of phone numbers and email addresses of all of their close friends and relatives.
Knowing that they can stay in touch with the important people in their lives, even when they're in the new apartment, is a very important part of a successful move.
During the Move: Involve your kids in the packing.
Packing can be a tedious process at the best of times.
To make the whole exercise a little more fun for everybody, you can have your kids decorate the boxes containing their things.
As an added bonus, doing so will also make finding their things easier once you're at the new apartment! Don't pack up everything.
It's important that you don't pack away everything before the big move.
Special items such as blankets, stuffed animals, books, etc.
, should be placed in a separate container that can be taken in the car with the kids.
This way, the kids get peace of mind knowing that their favourite things won't get lost or left behind.
Stay positive.
When moving with children, it's very important to stay as upbeat and calm as you can, as your own mood will greatly impact the mood of your children - if you hate moving, chances are they will, too.
After the Move: Don't spend all of your time unpacking.
Yes, you'll need to get all of those essential items out of the boxes as soon as possible, but try to spread the unpacking process out over a few days, if possible.
For most kids, unpacking is boring - they want to explore! It's important to put down the boxes and take the time to really explore your new neighborhood and spend time with your family.
Go for a walk, check out the nearby stores and restaurants, relax at the park ...
how you spend this time is up to you.
Ask for your child's input.
Give your children a chance to pitch in some ideas when you're settling in to your new apartment.
Openly ask for their ideas, especially when choosing items for their rooms or deciding on the layout of the apartment.
If they feel that they've helped "create" the new apartment, your kids will be more inclined to think of it as their new home instead of a scary, unknown place.
Try to maintain daily routines.
While children are adjusting to new homes, neighborhoods, and schools, parents can provide some comfort by keeping some things the same.
For instance, having the same morning and bedtime routines, meal times, etc.
might be extremely comforting, especially for younger children.
Above all, listen.
Regularly ask how things are going for them at the new apartment.
Some kids have a hard time opening up - spending some relaxed time together may help them to bring up whatever is on their minds.