Make Your New Town Feel Like Home
How You and Your Family Can Make Your New Town Feel Like Home
Moving to a new town can be difficult, especially for children. Doing so often can compound things and make socializing a challenge. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the distress our families may feel and integrate seamlessly into new communities.
Making a House Feel like Your Home
Unpacking and moving into a new house can be intimidating, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. If you have children, start with their rooms. They need as much normalcy as possible. Next, dive into your linens, as you will need towels and sheets. If possible, wash everything before putting them away. Things can become stale in transit, and nothing feels as good as clean sheets. Laundry is an opportunity to make the home clean, too. Wipe down cabinets, and give bathrooms a thorough scrub. Your bedroom comes next, as you need enough clothes for the week. You may have takeout your first night, but get your kitchen ready for meal making quickly. Once you have the basics accomplished, put up some familiar things to nurture comfort and coziness — anything that gives you a visual reminder that you’re home.
Keeping Pets Happy
Pets, like children, may not understand moves. Unlike children, you can’t explain why you have a new home in a new town. Instead, try to replicate their old space to keep them content. Make mealtimes the same, and prepare their bed or crate so they can retreat when overwhelmed. If you have a dog, they will want to explore their new surroundings and get to know the neighborhood as well. However, before you take them to a dog park, however, you need everything prepped and ready. Make sure your pet is vaccinated and microchipped, in case they escape in the chaos of unpacking or at the park. Do your research on the various dog parks in your new town. Knowing which are on- and off-leash will be important, especially for your dog’s personality. A nervous dog may prefer a park where everyone stays on a leash.
Exploring Your New Neighborhood
Many of us want to know where the locals get their coffee. Scout out what’s around you, and see which atmosphere you enjoy. Otherwise, start with your area’s community or visitor center. If there is a local newspaper, check it out to find some fun outdoor activities. Consider throwing yourselves a house-warming party, and invite your new neighbors. You might cook, have finger food, or buy some platters to set out to keep things simple. It’s a nice way to meet the people you will live near and, hopefully, help any little ones make some new friends at the same time. You can also check out any groups that align with your interests. Maybe a local book club or biking group — or whatever your cup of tea is — that you can join.
Helping Your Kids Adjust
The best way to help your children relax in their new home is to get them outside and meeting new people. Don’t throw them to the wolves by themselves; instead, go out with them and introduce them to any neighborhood kids you see. There may be an after-school group they can join or a club they might enjoy through school or the local community center. Encourage them to make new friends, but to also stay in contact with old ones. Have your little one sign up for a library card and see what the library offers. Depending on their age, there may be different activities perfect for meeting people, especially if school is currently out of session.
It may seem like a good deal of work, especially after another big move, but it’s worthwhile to make your new house feel like home. Set up, organize, and help the whole family settle into your new town. When you move often, it can be easy to not want to spend time investing in your homes or exploring your new town. However, it will be well worth the effort to truly be at peace in your home and get to know your neighbors in your new town.
Sent in by Kelli Brewer
Image Courtesy of Pixabay and
Real Estate with Mary (Home is where the Heart is)