Planning a move is never easy, and when children are involved, the process can be even tougher. You’re probably stressed by the logistics of the move, and kids are worried about their new bedrooms and being farther away from friends. Everyone has a lot on their minds at moving time. However, it is possible to make moves for kids easy.
Despite the stress, moving can be a great bonding experience for you and your family. Exploring a new area together is exciting. And children love to be included, especially in something as big as a move.
Here we’ve provided our top 5 tips for moving with kids, and now we have even more helpful ideas to make your move as seamless as possible.
Prep for Your Kids Moving
Every child can be involved in the moving process. That’s why we’ve put together a fun, easy checklist for you and your family.
- Explain the move to your children. Be honest and detailed.
- Make arrangements with new schools.
- Get copies of medical and school records.
- Find childcare or a friend or family member to keep them for moving day.
- Involve your kids with research on their new area. Visit if possible.
- Say goodbye with fun memories and pictures.
- Let them help pack up their rooms and choose items to donate.
- Have the kids pack their favorite items in a small bag to carry.
- Pack their favorite snacks and activities, especially if the trip is long.
- Be intentional about building excitement as you leave the old house behind.
- Set up their rooms as quickly as possible to make them feel at home.
Check out the infographic below for our top 5 hacks on making moving with kids stress-free.
Special Considerations for Moving with Young Children
Believe it or not, moving away while your children are still little can be a great experience. For one thing, they will have an easier time adjusting to their new surroundings than older children. Small children and their antics make great conversation starters, which will help you meet other families to bond with, and give your little ones instant playmates.
Still, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding little ones.
- Don’t leave them out of conversations because they’re young. Instead, speak to them on their level.
- Even the smallest child can join the excitement by helping sort items and draw on moving boxes.
- Talk about the upcoming move often, explain each step, and make sure you stay positive.
- Keep their favorite toys close at hand on moving day to provide extra emotional security.
Need Help Moving Your Family?
Moves for kids can be an emotional challenge. But hopefully, you have some new ideas on how to make the transition fun. The most important thing to remember is to treat them with respect and understanding. Thoroughly explain the moving process and include them along the way.
We have many years of experience assisting families as they move. We understand that children add an additional layer to the moving process. Stress-free moves are our specialty. Contact us today for a complimentary moving quote.