Moving With Kids? How to Make It Easier

Moving when you have kids is hard. You’re dealing with an upheaval in their routine, the logistics of packing and moving belongings to a new house, and the stress of finding your way around a new place. Moving with children can be difficult under any circumstances. Kids need stability, routine, and familiarity. Moving is anything but stable, routine, or familiar. So how do you make it easier? Follow these tips to ease the process of moving with kids.

Create a New Routine

New kids on the block will want to institute a new routine, including new schools, new friends, and new activities. You can plan some activities to help your child become familiar with the new neighborhood. You could sign your child up for a local sports league, visit nearby parks with playgrounds, or take them to meet their new neighbors. All of these can help them feel more at home in their new surroundings, making the transition less stressful.

Look for Help

Consider hiring a babysitter or a nanny to keep your children entertained while you struggle with heavy boxes. You might also consider asking if they could bring their stuffed animals or toys in the car. Kids often try to help out as best they can, even when they are too young to do a lot of heavy lifting. If your child is into trains and tracks or similar things, you could encourage them to help you sort and pack those items. Or they could help you sort clothing and pack up toys. Older children can also help you make lists of items to be packed, or you could have them make a list of items they want to take with them to their new room.

Plan Activities for Your Child

Kids like to know what to expect, and planning activities for your child ahead of time can help ease their anxiety about the move. If your child is a bit older, you could ask them to list things they would like to experience in their new town. This can include favorite restaurants or places they’ve been told about. You could also ask your child what items they want to pack from their toys or favorites from their bookshelf. If your child is younger, you could ask them if they want to make a poster or picture of their current neighborhood or school. You could also ask your child if they want to take something from their current neighborhood or school to their new town or school.

Use Professional Movers

Many people think of hiring professional movers as a last resort, but they can be a great option if you have young children. Some companies, like Anytime Moving Solutions, know that you can hire someone to pack up your belongings and then move them without your children having to lift a finger or break a sweat. This can provide you with extra time to make travel arrangements and visit the new neighborhood before your belongings arrive. Plus, your children will feel like they got VIP treatment as part of the service. If your movers can bring your stuff on the same day as the move, your children will be able to sleep in their beds that night, rather than sleeping on the floor in a different house. This can make the transition much easier for them.

Make the Move During School Vacation

Kids adapt better to change when they have more time to adjust. If you can make your move happen when most schools are on vacation, your kids will have more time to get used to their new surroundings. You can also visit your new neighborhood and meet your neighbors when you’re less likely to be exhausted from moving. This can also alleviate extra stress from missed school work due to moving.

Moving is an exciting time for kids but can also be very stressful for parents. Your child’s new school will likely be located in a different neighborhood, so your child must adjust to a new set of peers, teachers, and activities. When you move, you are also likely to change your child’s routine, which can also take some time to get used to. If you follow these steps when moving with children, you should be able to reduce your child’s stress and help them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings sooner than later.

By Anita Ginsburg