Moving with Kids? Here’s How to Ensure a Seamless Transition
Whether you are relocating across the country or the street, moving can be particularly stressful when kids are involved. Uprooting children or teens from their familiar surroundings can make the process difficult for the whole family. Fortunately, you can take several steps before and after the move to lessen your kids’ anxieties and alleviate their fears. To ensure a seamless transition, we have highlighted ways to make the transition into the new home as smooth as possible for you and your entire family. Good luck!
Before the move
Prepare, prepare, prepare! To make moving with kids easier, take proactive steps before the move to ensure a seamless relocation. Here are some tips:
- Start by sitting down with your children to discuss the move. Listen and answer any questions they have. Doing this will put them at ease and help them know what to expect before the move. Telling stories about your own moving experiences can help reassure them that everything will be fine.
- Stay calm. Young children (and even babies) often pick up on their parents’ emotions, especially when the parent is stressed or anxious. Do your best to remain calm and collected throughout the packing and moving journey.
- Make packing fun. If you have small children, I recommend getting them boxes to play with while you pack up their rooms. Teach them how to pack correctly and involve them in the overall process.
- If your children are changing schools, you have to make sure you have their records transferred to the new school.
- Explore the new neighborhood with your kids and encourage them to research the area to make it feel more familiar before the move. Look into sports teams, clubs, and local groups to find the best ways for your family to get involved in the new community.
- Read books together! Help ease a young child’s anxiety and sadness about moving by sharing positive stories about the process. You can find plenty of moving-related children’s books on Amazon.com. Great options include The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day, My Very Exciting, Sorta Scary, Big Move: A Workbook for Children Moving to a New Home, Big Ernie’s New Home: A Story for Young Children Who Are Moving, Tigger’s Moving Day, and Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move. For more other options, check out these books to help your kids deal with the big move.
Moving Day
Packing efficiently for moving day and preparing for the first night in your new home simplifies the entire moving process with your children. Be sure to pack essentials moving day and a first-night bag for your kids. Here are a few suggestions for what to pack:
- Diapers and wipes
- Medications and a first-aid kit
- Clothing and pajamas
- A sort of pack ‘n play, high chair, or bouncy seat to contain them for a short period
- Toys
- Breast pump and breast-feeding pillow
- Extra bags for dirty diapers and messy clothes
- Formula, juice, and/or food
- Snacks, sippy cups and bottles
- Extra pacifiers
- Ipad with games
- Blanket
- Stroller and carrier
- Bath items
- Car seat
On the first night of the move, set up a calm and familiar space in your kids’ new bedrooms. Set up their beds and fill the room with familiar items such as their favorite toys, stuffed animals, and books to help them feel comfortable immediately.
Settling in
Both adults and children need time to get comfortable settling in a new home and town. Here are a few ways to help your kids adjust to their new environment:
- First, introduce your kids to the house by giving them a tour and letting them explore independently. Point out unique, fun areas such as hidden doors or stairwells, great backyard trees for climbing, and more.
- If your kids want to help unpack, let them! If little Suzy starts unpacking her bedroom boxes and insists on placing her bookshelf in a specific spot, let her do it! Allow your kids to enjoy both the new home and the unpacking process.
- If your kids are old enough, let them pick out the paint color for their room – and possibly help you with the painting themselves.
- Consistency is key. If you have a baby or young child, ensure their routines—like meals, playtime, nap time, and activities—stay as consistent and usual as possible. It will help your kids feel secure and help you maintain your peace of mind.
- Stay positive. If you maintain an upbeat attitude about your new home, your kids will also.
- Set up a playground in the backyard and spend time outside with your children in your new yard.
- Meet the neighbors! Find out if other kids in the neighborhood are around your children’s age. Once your kids have playmates, they will not feel so lonely.
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