Moving is stressful – there is no other way to put it. The sudden flurry of logistics to manage can get overwhelming quickly. Once you go through buying (and potentially selling) a new home, you must immediately jump into the moving process. Contacting a moving company, packing your belongings, downsizing items, and potentially preparing to live in a new town is a lot to handle. 

 

If you have children, that’s one more stressor to add to your giant list. Moving with kids can be tricky, but if you prepare ahead of time and stay organized, it can go pretty smoothly. 

 

Here are four tips for moving with kids. 

 

Visit your new hometown. 

If possible, visit your new hometown before you move. Of course, this is less practical if you’re moving across the country. But if you are able, show your kids around. Get them excited about the playground up the street from the new house, their new school, the ice cream shop in town, and even the colorful mailbox in the new neighborhood. If you’re excited, they will be too. 

 

Don’t wait to tell them. 

As soon as your move is confirmed, sit the kids down and have a conversation. They can handle it. And the sooner they have time to process and ask questions, the easier it will be for you as the parent to manage their reactions. Many kids are confused and depending on their age, some can’t comprehend what a “new house” really means, but warning them will make life significantly easier. 

 

Get them involved. 

Depending on the age of your kids, let them pack some of their belongings. It will make them feel like they play an important role in the family, and it will help give them a sense of control when life starts to feel inevitably chaotic during the move. 

 

Positivity is contagious. 

I touched on this earlier, but it’s worth mentioning again. Your kids will pick up on it if you’re excited and positive. Children are impressionable and will take their cue from the “grown-ups” in their life. Don’t be afraid to overhype the move. Happy kids = happy parents! 

If you have questions about moving with kids, I’m happy to help! While my kids are grown today, I remember the years with little ones like they were yesterday. Contact me at 717-253-3259 (cellphone) or visit my website at www.karentavenner.com.