Before we had kids, moving didn’t seem like too big of a deal. Sure, there were boxes to pack, and logistics to manage, but moving was filled with excitement about starting the next chapter of our adventure.
We’ve now moved four times with kids, and it’s an entirely different experience! Not only are there more logistics as you’re moving more people and a lot more things, but you’re also responsible for helping to guide them through one of the biggest changes in the world as they know it.
It’s a tough job for any parent.
But as hard as it can be on you, it’s even tougher on your kids. Sure, they’re not the ones worrying about the downpayment or wondering whether you picked the right mortgage option, but young kids tend to be more emotional than logical.
A move can be a fraught time for a child, especially as they contend with leaving their old neighborhood friends behind and heading into a new school.
But by taking the proper precautions, you can soothe their concerns and make move-in day a walk in the park.
8 Tips to Your Kid Ready for A Move
Here are a few strategies you can use to prepare your kids for a busy move-in day:
1. Tell them about the move as soon as possible.
As a kid, there are few things worse than a last-minute notification that they’re going to be uprooted from their home and neighborhood full of friends.
Help them through the transition by letting them know about the move early on. During the conversation, outline exactly what they should expect:
You’ll have to start packing up at some point.
There will be a big move-in day.
You’ll need to carefully unpack all of your belongings in the new home.
They’ll get to make new friends.
While your kids may become upset, be sure to highlight the great parts of the move and the features of the home and new neighborhood they’re bound to love.
2. Help them visualize life in the new home.
Kids like being hands-on, and a big move can feel scary largely because of the unknowns.
You can help stomp out their uncertainties by giving them a concrete idea of what the moving process will look like, especially when it comes to the new house.
Show them pictures or a digital walkthrough of the home so they can get excited about the new place (Pro Tip: We didn’t want to let our kids choose their own rooms for logistical reasons, but letting them choose what color to paint the walls helped them feel more in control).
And, if possible, get them inside before the move so they can see the new home for themselves.
3. Show them around the new neighborhood.
You know your kids better than anyone else, so keep an eye out for the local amenities they’re sure to love in the new neighborhood.
Then take them for a drive or walk so they can get a feel for their new town—all while you point out some great attractions.
A few landmarks worth covering:
Their school
The local park
The local ice cream shop
The local pizza shop
Other nearby shops or attractions they’ll enjoy
4. Help them say goodbye.
One reason moving can be so difficult for kids is the friends they’ll leave behind.
If your kids have friends throughout the neighborhood, throw a small party before you leave to give everyone one last chance to hang out and have some fun.
And while you’re at it, make plans for staying in touch—something that’s much easier today with social media and video calls.
Remember: It doesn’t have to be “Goodbye.” It can easily be “See you later!”
5. Let them make some choices.
As a child, knowing a move is on the horizon can make you feel powerless, and that powerlessness can lead to negative emotions.
Give some of the power back by letting them make a few decisions. For example, you could let your kids decide:
What color their new rooms will be
How they’ll decorate their new room
What they can order for dinner on move-in day
Which toys they can avoid packing until the very last minute
How they can set up the playroom (Check out our blog on creating safe and fun places for the kids to play at home for more ideas!)
The more decisions they can make, the more control they’ll feel throughout the moving process.
6. Pack when the kids are at school or when they’re sleeping.
If you’re a parent, you know how kids are.
They can go months without playing with a toy, but the moment someone else has it, they want a turn.
You could very likely run into this situation while packing up. Those old video game systems, board games, and other toys may suddenly seem much more interesting when they’re headed into a cardboard box, and that could lead to complaints, crying, and even fights.
Avoid that scenario altogether by packing away the kids’ old stuff when they’re not around.
7. Let them ask questions.
Your kids are bound to have questions about the move, especially if they’ve never seen the house or neighborhood before.
And although their questions may eventually grow tiresome, don’t discourage them.
Your kids are going to be naturally curious—and worried. The more information they have, the more confident and excited they’ll feel about moving.
8. Continue the old routines.
Whether you realize it or not, your family probably has certain routines or traditions.
Family dinner at 6:00. Bedtime at 8:00. Game night on Friday. Church on Sunday. We all tend to adopt certain regularities without even realizing it.
But the stress and demands of a move can cause us to temporarily ditch our little traditions. For a few days after the move, dinner happens whenever you have a chance to, bedtime is whenever the kids finally settle down, the game night gets postponed, and you head to church whenever it’s most convenient.
Don’t let that happen. That sudden lack of structure can be disruptive, and it can make your kids anxious. Maintain the same routines throughout the move, and it’ll help create a greater sense of normalcy.
Additional Resources for Your Move
Once you’re unpacked, take a look at our 5-step checklist for settling into a new home. The faster you and your family get familiar with your new surroundings, the smoother the transition will be for everyone!