Moving is tough enough, but moving with kids? That adds an extra layer of complication to the process. Planning is important for any long-distance move. Ensuring your family’s move goes smoothly means taking extra time to ensure everyone is on the same page. While sourcing movers and packing, you’ll need to keep your children occupied and happy, including on the day of your move.
Let’s explore the basics of moving with kids, including how to keep your kids in mind when planning, packing for, and executing your upcoming move.
The Importance of Early Planning When Moving with Children
One of the most important moving tips for families is to begin planning as early as possible. Starting the process well in advance offers plenty of benefits. These include reduced stress and ample time to address logistical and emotional needs. Whether you’re hiring long-distance moving services or plan on handling everything on your own, moving with pets and kids means taking extra care.
Creating a Family-Friendly Moving Timeline
A well-structured timeline is critical when moving with kids. But what does that timeline look like from a realistic perspective? While individual plans can vary — especially with long-distance moves — most of the time, it should look something like this:
- Two months before moving day: Start planning for your move. Request a moving quote for your preferred day/week.
- Six to eight weeks before moving day: Begin decluttering and packing non-essential items.
- Four weeks before moving day: Visit new schools and neighborhoods to familiarize your family with the area.
- Two weeks before moving day: Finalize moving arrangements and pack essentials. Schedule a “going away” party or event with friends and family where your kids can enjoy the company of their friends and others close to them.
- One week before moving day: Ensure your kids have comfort activities and items for the moving day.
Involving Kids in the Planning Process
One of the best ways to help kids during your move is to give them agency. Early planning allows you to involve children in the move. This can help them gradually adjust to the prospect of leaving their current home. Easing that transition can reduce anxiety. Use the time to research. If possible, visit new neighborhoods, schools, and fun places for your children in advance. Research ensures your new home and neighborhood are a good fit for your family’s needs. Ask your kids what they’d like to see in a new home and what’s important.
Preparing Kids for the Big Move
When moving with kids, open communication and positive reinforcement are keys to success. Use age-appropriate language to explain the move as early as possible. Highlight exciting aspects of your new home and the opportunities moving presents. Whether you’re moving as a military family or because of a new job opportunity, tailor your conversations to the specific reasons for your move. And always remember to be patient. This is a major transition for them!
Addressing Children’s Concerns and Fears
Acknowledge your kids’ concerns and fears surrounding your move. It’s normal for them to worry about losing friends, adapting to a new school, and feeling unsettled in their new environment. Your job as a grown-up is to help overcome those worries.
Maintain open communication and allow kids to express their feelings. Validate their emotions. If possible, reassure your kids by visiting your new neighborhood ahead of time. Consider arranging playdates with soon-to-be classmates. If these options are out of the question, do whatever else you can to keep familiar routines. Routine can help ease anxiety for both you and your kids during the move.
Kid-Friendly Packing Strategies
Creating a kid-friendly packing strategy is important. Making the process fun eases stress for everyone. Turn packing into a game by setting up challenges like sorting toys by type or color. If you’re moving with a toddler, give them stickers to label boxes or let them draw on the boxes for a creative touch. You can give your older kids agency and responsibility by offering rewards for completing tasks on your checklist.
Of course, sometimes you may not have time to worry about making things fun. In that situation, hiring professional packers to handle the bulk of the work can help. Many moving services offer packing options so you can spend more time focusing on your children’s emotional needs.
Labeling and Organizing Boxes for Easy Unpacking
Labeling and organizing boxes are major parts of every move. An efficient system for labeling and organizing your boxes can simplify unpacking. One idea is to use color-coded labels for each room and to mark each box’s contents on multiple sides. Create a master inventory list to track important items. Prioritize kids’ essential items in specially marked boxes for immediate access upon arrival. This helps ensure a smooth, organized transition.
Moving Day Logistics: Keeping the Family Organized
Keeping your family organized during moving day is one of the biggest hurdles when moving with kids. Just like the weeks leading up to the big day, it’s important to provide a comprehensive plan for everyone.
Assigning Age-Appropriate Roles and Responsibilities
Everyone in your home should have age-appropriate responsibilities and roles for moving day. Younger kids like toddlers can hand out snacks or place stickers on boxes. Teens can help with complex tasks like taking apart furniture, organizing family items, and loading necessities into your car.
Keeping Kids Occupied During the Move
Of course, hiring moving services often means kids won’t have much to do to help with moving day. For many families — especially those moving with a toddler or other young children — you’ll instead need to keep your kids entertained and occupied during the move. Ensure tablets are charged and loaded with lots of content and that your children know where they’re supposed to be as your movers load (or unload) your belongings. If you’re able to arrange having a trusted friend or family member to watch them for the day, it can eliminate another source of anxiety.
Settling into Your New Home as a Family
There’s no magic formula for quickly helping your family adjust to their new home, but there are some best practices and moving tips for families. The following ways to create stability go beyond general moving tips and are helpful no matter how many kids are in your family.
Exploring the New Neighborhood Together
Moving with kids means new opportunities to explore. Make the transition exciting and fun by making plans to visit local parks, playgrounds, and libraries. This helps your family become more familiar with their surroundings. Bike rides and walks around the community will help you discover points of interest like cafes, shops, and restaurants. You can also join local organizations or clubs to meet other families and make new friends.
Establishing Routines Quickly in the New Home
Re-establishing familiar routines is helpful when moving kids to a new house. It creates a sense of security. Set up key areas in your home like the kitchen and bedrooms to provide immediate comfort. Try to maintain your normal mealtimes, bedtime routines, and typical daily activities to create stability.
Involve your kids in unpacking and organizing their spaces to make them feel more at home. If you have family traditions like movie or game nights, keep them going, too. It reinforces a sense of normalcy.
Providing Emotional Support for Kids During and After the Move
When moving with kids, it’s essential to address the emotional impact of the life event. Acknowledge their feelings and do your best to help them cope. While children can be resilient, they need additional support. Consider the following ways to positively impact them during the move.
Creating Opportunities for Making New Friends
Moving kids to a new community can be intimidating, but not nearly as much as trying to make friends on their own. Help them connect with peers by enrolling them in local sports teams, clubs, or classes. Attend events and, depending on their age, encourage them to explore the new neighborhood. Visiting parks and playgrounds can also provide natural opportunities for them to meet new friends.
Encouraging Kids to Express Their Feelings About the Move
Kids need to have open conversations about their feelings. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively to their concerns. When you create a safe space for them to share feelings, you can reassure your kids that it’s okay to feel a range of emotions during this transition.
Why Professional Help Can Make Moving with Kids Easier
Moving into a new house is hard, whet0her you have kids or not. But there are ways to make the process easier. Hiring a professional moving broker takes a lot of stress off your plate. Doing so allows you to focus on what really matters: being there for your kids and supporting them through what is likely a huge life event.
Contact us today to learn more about the advantages and benefits of hiring a professional moving broker for your move.
Our commitment to service helps you find licensed cross-country movers within our carrier network at fair, competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age to move with kids?
There’s no universal “best” time to move with kids. Younger children (especially under six) often adjust more quickly because they have less of an attachment to friends and routines. Older kids and teens can find it more challenging because of existing social connections and school commitments.
Is moving stressful for kids?
Moving can be stressful for kids because it disrupts their familiar environment and routines. They might be anxious about leaving friends or adapting to new surroundings. To reduce this stress, provide emotional support and maintain your routines as much as possible.
How long does it take kids to adjust to moving?
The adjustment period for kids can vary but typically ranges from a few weeks to several months. Younger kids adapt faster, while older children and teens can take longer due to deeper social ties. Consistent routines and support can facilitate smoother transitions.
How can professionals help when moving with kids?
Professional movers can significantly ease the stress of moving with kids because they handle logistics and allow parents to focus on their children’s needs. They often offer efficient packing, transportation, and setup services. This frees up time to provide emotional support and ensure a smoother transition for the family.
