When you move house, it can reshape everything your child relies on; routines, familiar sights and sounds, nearby friends and their small comforts that make their daily life feel steady. Moving house can be overwhelming for children, with a lot of change. Here are some tips you can try, to make your new home feel welcoming and safe for your children.
Unpack The Comfort Items First
Start by unpacking the items your child or children use every day. Put their favorite blanket, stuffed animal and pajamas where they can reach them. Seeing familiar items right way, will help them to feel safe.
You can let your children decide what comes out first, from the boxes. Older kids can unpack their own bed, or a box of treasures, to give them control, and make the new space feel more like theirs.
Set up their beds, and a small area for play or reading next. A made bed, and a few familiar toys will make the room a clear rest spot. Keep their clothes and toiletries easy to find, so the routines stay the same.
You can use a simple, labeled box for their “must-haves”, including nightlights, comfort items, a small book, and any sensory tools your child used. Keep the unpacking small and steady. Focus on comfort and routine, before working on decor or organization, so your kids can adjust faster to the new place.
Bring Familiar Scents And Sounds Into The Space
Smells and sounds are both important to kids, so use familiar scents and tunes, to link the new home to memories of the old one.
Start with small and safe scent cues. Bring their favorite blanket, pillow or stuffed toy, that will still smell of home. Use mild comforting room sprays, or a diffuser with a favorite and familiar scent, like vanilla or citrus, but keep fragrances light to avoid overwhelming little ones.
Play familiar sounds during key times of the day, like morning playlists, bedtime stories or recorded lullabies, to recreate routines your child knew before.
You can create scent-and-sound spots in the room, by putting a scented cloth and small speaker by the bed or chair. This will help the space feel personally yours, and builds a quick emotional anchor.
Let your child pick scents and songs, as they get comfort and control, from doing so, and will help make the new place feel more like their place.
Create A Cozy Corner That Feels Theirs
Give your child a small and defined spot that they can call their own. Place a soft rug or beanbag, a low shelf for their favorite books, and a few plush toys. Let them pick the items, so the space reflects their tastes, and creates a sense of belonging.
Switch on some calming lighting, like a small bedside lamp or some fairy lights. Soft light is always comforting, but it’ll help with reading, drawing or quiet play, or even overnight whilst they get used to the new house, if they’re feeling anxious.
Keep Sleep And Bedtime Routines Consistent
Make sure you keep your child’s bedtime and wake time steady, even on the weekends. Having a regular routine will help their body clock settle, so they fall asleep easier, and wake up more rested.
Create simple, predictable wind-down routines for them, where you’ll do 3-5 calming activities, like a warm bath, quiet reading of books they enjoy, or playing some soft music. Repeat the same order each night, so your child learns the signals for sleep.