A house move can be a stressful event. In fact, according to recent polling, it’s considered by the British public to be the fourth most stressful life event, behind bereavement and divorce, but ahead of childbirth and job interviews.
When children are a factor in your house move, it’s easy to see how the stress might escalate. However, there are a few small things and considerations you can do to make everything run more smoothly when it comes to little ones.
Prep Their Hearts and Minds
Children can have emotional reactions to moving, especially if they’re being uprooted from a school and from their social circles. When the uprooting comes as a surprise, the shock can be even worse, and some children might even lash out.
To combat this, it’s important that you prepare them by telling them about the move in advance. Talk about the place you’re moving to, show them photos or videos, and explain the benefits of the move to the new house. You might even involve them in certain decisions to get them invested. If they’ve been allowed to decide what colour their new room is going to be, they’re more likely to feel that they belong in their new surroundings.
School Catchment Areas: Timing Is Key
The catchment areas of the local schools should always be considered. You’ll want to make yourself aware of any deadlines and of the rules governing admissions. Try to time your house move to ease the transition for kids. It’s often easier to start a new school at the beginning of a new term rather than a random week mid-term. For many families, access to a good local school is the major motivating factor behind a house move.
Energy Efficiency & Future Proofing
If you want to slash the cost of running your new home, then you’ll want to take energy efficiency seriously. A new-build home is the best option in this respect. They often come with heat pumps and insulation, and they’re compliant with modern regulations, which leads to countless small gains. For growing families, these advantages can vastly reduce energy use over time.
Safety First: Child Proofing from Day One
If you’re welcoming very small children into a new home, then you might want to consider a few changes. Stair gates, locks on certain kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and bookshelves that are securely fixed to the walls might all be essential. Don’t bother to cover plug sockets, as the covers are actually quite dangerous. British plugs come with shutters that make them inherently safe.