METCALF MOVING BLOG
Moving? How to Get Your Child Comfortable the First Night in a New Home
Moving is strenuous and trying. It is also a big adjustment for everyone in the family. If you have children, it can affect their schedules and their sleep, which can cause problems for them during the day. Fatigue and exhaustion are difficult for adults to deal with, let alone children.
School-aged children need 9 to 11 hours of sleep to function at the optimal level. When you move into a new home, sleep can be disturbed because of the unfamiliar environment.
To reduce the chances of this happening, you must be strategic. Here are some tips on how to get your child to sleep.
1. Prepare Kids Ahead of Time
Preparation for that first night of restful sleep should ideally begin before you move in. Visit the new home several times if possible, let your child see their new room and start discussing with them where you will place their furniture and how you will decorate it.
This creates a sense of familiarity that will come in handy and help them to get that first night of rest.
2. Unpack Your Child’s Room First
There will be a lot to do and unpack when you first arrive at your new home. If you want your child to get a good night’s sleep, the best thing you can do is set up their room first. While you may not be able to do all the decorating you spoke about in the pre-moving stage, getting things organized will make a world of difference.
Go ahead and set up the bed with familiar linens and comforter. Unpack favorite toys and start putting them in the correct places. When you organize your child’s room and make it comfortable there is a greater chance that they will get a good night’s sleep.
3. Stick To the Routine
If before the move you had a routine such as reading a bedtime story, tucking in, and goodnight kisses, then it is essential that on that first night you try as much as possible to stick to it.
If you find that sticking to the routine isn’t working, then don’t be afraid to discard it and improvise. Perhaps have a co-sleeping arrangement for the first night. For smaller children, this may be necessary until they get used to the surroundings.
Try to take time off work, if possible, or schedule your move during the holidays; this will make it easier to adjust and help sleep time fall back into a routine.
Final Thoughts on How To Get Your Child To Sleep
Knowing how to get your child to sleep after a move is essential. If your child does not get enough sleep, it can lead to exhaustion which can lead to health issues.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can get your child to settle in and get a good night’s sleep on that first night in your new home. If you prepare your child ahead of time, try to make their room as comfy as possible, and stick to some old routines, you should do well on that first night.
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