Tips for Moving with Children

There are a lot of reasons for moving. Maybe you got a new job. Maybe you want to be close to other family members. Maybe you’re upgrading to a bigger house, or downsizing to something more affordable. Whatever the reason, moving can sometimes be difficult, and for children it can be especially tough. To help make things a little easier, we put together some tips for moving with children.

Talk to Your Children

One way to make things easier is to talk to your children about the move, and you want to start talking to them as early as possible. By talking to them early on in the process, you’ll be giving them the most time possible to adapt to the changes that they are going to have to make.

Try to give them as much information about the move as you can. When they have questions, answer their questions truthfully and be supportive of their responses to the answers you give them.

Your kids may not like the answers they’re getting, and they may be angry or frustrated. It’s okay for them to feel the way they feel, and as a parent you have to help them through this tough time. Your children may have a lot of anxiety about leaving the house they grew up in, the school that they go to, the friends that they have made etc. Try to be understanding and supportive. Remind them that the whole family has to make some changes, but in the end, moving is the best thing for the family.

Involve Your Kids in the Home Selection Process

Of course, the home you move into is your choice, but you can ask your children what they like or don’t like about a particular home. If you have narrowed your choices down to two or three potential houses, ask your kids which one they like best and why. This will help give them a feeling of ownership, and a sense that they have been part of the decision-making process, which will make it a little bit easier to accept the changes that are happening.

Packing, Moving and Settling in

For adults, moving is a time to get rid of some things that you no longer want, or are no longer using. But you should be careful when it comes to your children’s belongings. Young children especially can be very attached to things like an old doll or a tattered blanket. Try not to force your kids to get rid of these treasured items before you move because doing so will make things a lot more difficult. If you simply don’t have room in your new house for a lot of their toys and other belongings, it would be best if you waited until after the move before sitting down with your children to try to figure out which things they can keep, and which things they must get rid of.

Once you’ve moved into your new house, try to help your children settle in as quickly as possible. Introduce yourself to neighbors, especially the ones who have kids in the same age range as your kids. Get involved at their new school. Doing things like this can help them establish new friendships quickly so they can more easily adjust to their new surroundings.