It’s no secret that moving can be difficult, time-consuming, and stressful in even the best of circumstances. Moving when you have children is even more complicated. Anyone who will have their teenagers with them when they move into their new home should make a plan for how the teens can occupy themselves when there’s nothing for them to do around the house. It’s always better to be prepared with activities than having bored, frustrated kids all day long. If you’re planning a move, read on to learn what you can do to keep your teens occupied on moving day.
How can you prepare your teenagers for a big move?
On a practical level, you’re likely going to need your teenager’s help with packing. Giving them the supplies they need and teaching them how to pack effectively is a good idea. Your moving company can also often provide you with wardrobe boxes and other types of packaging that you can give to your kids. Some movers, like Movers in Maryland, also offer packing services. This can be a big help for teens who are busy with school or their jobs and don’t have hours of free time to spend packing up their room.
A move to a new home can be exciting for families, but many teens struggle with relocation, especially when it’s a long-distance move or their first time moving. Switching schools, being farther away from close friends, and adjusting to a new environment can be difficult and cause stress and anxiety. It’s important that you talk to your children about their feelings throughout the moving process.
If you notice that your teenager is having a hard time with the move, especially if it goes on for an extended period of time, you may want to consider investing in mental health care. Symptoms of conditions like depression and anxiety often first present during the teen years, which can exacerbate feelings of unease, sadness, or anxiety in a significant way. Even a few talk therapy sessions might be enough to help your child work through their feelings in a healthier way.
How can you keep your teens occupied on moving day?
It’s a good idea to bring some entertainment for younger kids. Portable game systems or tablets are a good bet. Your child can read the latest gaming news on HotSpawn.com or play Fortnite with their friends. A portable gaming system like the Switch or a tablet with internet connectivity can allow your child to play Overwatch online, participate in tournaments, check their social media channels, or watch videos so you can focus on the task at hand.
If your teen has a driver’s license and access to a car, one great way to spend the day of the move is to take a drive around the neighborhood. They can see what restaurants are close by and where the closest movie theater is, and begin acclimating to their new surroundings. One of the major reasons for moving anxiety is related to the unknown and not knowing what to expect, so let your teenagers explore their new city.
The day you move into a new home or apartment can be chaotic, stressful, and extremely busy. If you have teenage children, there’s often not much they can do to help while the movers are unpacking, so you should come up with a few ideas to help them pass the time. Bring entertainment options on moving day, like a portable game console or a tablet. Not only will this help them pass the time, but they’ll also be able to stay away from high-traffic areas where your movers are doing heavy lifting or unpacking. While it’s never easy to go through the moving process, making a concrete move plan and hiring the expert help you need can make settling into your new home a little easier.
