Holiday Moving Tips

Moving can be a stressful time no matter what time of the year it is.  But moving during the holidays can add to your stress levels, especially if you have kids.  You can't always time the purchase of a / home.  You may have a job change, a sick family member that you need to move near or it may simply be that the purchase of your / took longer than you expected and now it's the holidays.  Here are some helping holiday moving tips to make your move go smoother when you have children.

Kids pick up on a parent's frame of mind and adopt it for their own.  So, the best thing to do first is to take a positive attitude about the move.  Don't lament missing out on family functions or how hard this move will be during this time of year.  Instead focus on how great the new / home is going to be, the new friends your kids will make and all the fun things you guys will be able to do once you're settled in.

Encourage good behavior by giving little rewards where you can.  A bump in allowance, choosing something fun for their new room or maybe even letting them choose a place for the family to go to dinner are all ways to help kids keep a positive attitude about the move.

Since the older kids can be tougher to convince, you may need to do a little research of the new area for types of entertainment, youth groups, community sports or other things that appeal to your child's interests.  If they have something to look forward to that interests them, it will help them stay in a positive frame of mind.

With all the changes happening right now, it is more important than ever to keep the family traditions alive.  If caroling is your thing, make sure to go door to door in your new / neighborhood.  Does your family love stringing popcorn and decorating the tree?  You might have to do it twice this year (once at the old place and once at the new), depending on when you move.  Your family traditions may need to be modified a little bit to fit your situation this year, but don't neglect them altogether.  Kids need the security of knowing that, while the scenery may change, their basic schedule remains the same.

Finally, talk to your kids.  Make sure they know that you are always willing to listen to anything they have to say.  Acknowledge their concerns as valid and focus on the positive things coming from this big change.

I hope these holiday moving tips will help both you and your family during this sometimes stressful time.  Congratulations on your new / home and have a happy holiday season!

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/11/10/holiday-moving-tips/.