Moving is one of the most stressful experiences that you can have in your life, especially when you’ve got a family household in tow. Team that with a growing amount of furniture and belongings, not to mention switching your utilities and setting up new ones, there’s a lot to handle all at once.
Adding children to the mix can only add to the chaos, but if you plan it right, then it’s a logistical hurdle that can become more of a fun adventure for you and your family.
When it comes to moving with your kids, you want to think about everything from preparation and the emotional validation required to the structural involvement that’s required to turn the moving day into a positive and memorable milestone.
Phase 1: The Pre-Move Prep
It’s all about being prepared and making as much use of that pre-move prep as you can. Give your kids early notice and use age-appropriate language to build trust.
It’s better to help make them feel involved in the process rather than making it something they’re not allowed to get involved in. Even the younger members of the household can do their bit when it comes to moving house.
The ‘First-Night Box’
As a pre-planned task, it’s a good idea to have a ‘first-night box’ where you pack a dedicated box with all the kids’ favorite toys and items that will have them feeling comfortable in their new space. Chances are, you’re not going to be able to get everything unpacked on the first day of the move, so it’s good to have a few boxes you can prioritize by opening first.
Declutter together
Before you move, you’re going to need to declutter everything and anything around the home. That’s a task that’s worth doing together, rather than just doing yourself as the parent. Take some time to go through your child’s room with the child in question. That way, you can do a proper clear-out of each room so that you’re moving with only the stuff that’s needed/wanted.
Interactive scouting
It’s good to spend some time looking at the new area you’re moving to, whether it’s five minutes up the road or in a different city altogether. Check out maps, virtual tours and photos to find what’s nearby. If you’ve not yet bought a place, then taking a look at some featured properties ahead of time will help you to scout out some of the local amenities available.
Phase 2: Packing and Saying Goodbye
Now comes the tough part, packing up all your belongings and saying goodbye to the home that your kids may have lived in for most of their lives or even for just a few years.
Allow them to pack and decorate their own boxes so that they’re actively involved in the process. The packing part might be something they need help with if they’re too young to do it themselves and to do it properly.
Rituals of closure
It’s a good opportunity to have a ritual of some sort where you say goodbye to the home. This could be taking photos of your child in their now empty rooms or around the home. You could always host a playdate or little get-together with friends to say goodbye.
Maintain routines
It’s important to maintain routines when it comes to moving house. Even if the routine is a little askew, the more rigid you stick to it, the better they’ll adjust to moving to a new place.
Keep bedtime, meal times, and nap schedules identical to preserve that sense of safety.
Sitter strategy
Arrange childcare for the actual moving day, as this can often make the day itself go a lot smoother and keep toddlers safe from any moving furniture being transported out of the home.
Phase 3: Moving Day Magic
If you plan to have your kids with you on the move, especially if they’re older, then it’s good to assign everyone their own jobs. Giving older kids more specific, manageable jobs like checking empty closets to carrying down lighter boxes from their rooms is helpful.
Prioritize the kid spaces
When you’ve moved into your new home, you’ll want to unpack the children’s bedrooms first so that you’re establishing a safe and familiar haven.
The first meal
The first meal can become something of a tradition for future house moves or for the anniversary of the move each year, whether that’s eating a picnic on the floor or having the same type of fast food or meal.
Phase 4: Settling Into the New Normal
Settling in is going to take some time. It’s certainly going to be an adjustment for your child, especially in cases where they’ve had to move schools or are too far away from neighborhood friends.
Take immediate walks around the local area to locate the nearby playground and to introduce yourselves to your neighbors once you’ve arrived.
You can expect to have a few problems with your kids, especially when they’re younger. Expect and accept regression to occur, tantrums, or sadness as normal signs of adjustment. It’s helpful to communicate openly and regularly with your children to address any emotions they may be struggling with.
You’ll want to reestablish any of the routines that you’ve lost or had to adjust due to the moving stage of the process. Get school, sports, and extracurricular activities locked into the calendar quickly.
Make Your Moving Day Easier
Moving house doesn’t need to be stressful, but it can be when you’re faced with this task and with kids in tow.
With that being said, look at how you can be prepared and involve your kids in the moving process both before, during, and after the moving day itself. While a new home environment can be hard for kids to adjust to, if it’s done right, it can be easy enough to get through with the tips mentioned above. Use these tips to help transform a stressful move into a core family memory.
