Moving with Kids: Ultimate Guide

When it comes to telling people what to do with their children, we understand that there can be some sensitivity involved. But hey! If you’re here, that means you would probably like some concrete advice.

This article will give you the solid guidance that you seek. We may be the moving experts but you are your own child’s expert. You know them better than anyone.

That being said, the suggestions we make are based on what child psychologists have said and what we know has worked for other parents that have made a cross-country move.

Let’s get into it.

Moving with kids: Before moving day

Let’s face it. No one likes last-minute changes, especially ones that disrupt daily life. Your children feel the same way. To help them cope with moving anxiety, there are several steps you should take well before moving day.

Hire great movers

We had to put this first because we know better than anyone, moving is stressful! We don’t have to tell you how much you have on your plate as a parent as is.

Save yourself the headache of dealing with sketchy moving companies and put your items and sanity in the hands of a reputable interstate moving company.

Let us help you compare moving estimates with our easy-to-use moving cost calculator.

Give them enough notice

Here’s a tip for moving with kids: tell them ahead of time that the family’s moving.

Dr. Jamie Howard, director of the Stress and Resilience Program at Child Mind, states that “it’s much easier to deal with something that’s expected than it is to be shocked and unprepared for a stressor.”

Once you know that you’re moving, sit down with the kids and tell them. This will help them process and prepare for the future.

Answer their questions

As your children learn when and where the family is moving, they’re bound to have questions. Even if some of them seem silly, listen intently and answer all of them to the best of your abilities.

For local moves, remind them that they can still see their old friends and visit their favorite parks.

If you’re moving out of state, be honest with the kids and tell them if you plan to visit. Thankfully, teenagers can still keep up with and interact with their friends via social media. Your honesty, though perhaps difficult to hear at first, will aid in their preparation.

Focus on the positives

It’s easy to look at all the aspects of life that moving takes away. Kids will miss their neighborhood friends, extended family members, and school. These are all familiar to them, and the unknown is frightening. However, you can make moving with children a beneficial growing experience when you focus on the positives.

Instead of dwelling on what they’ll miss out on, tell them about all the good that will come from it!

For example, tell them if their new house will be bigger, they get their own bedroom, or they’ll be closer to other family members. It may also help to find books about moving for kids and tell them your own experiences. It’ll make the process clearer and less foreign to them, which means they likely won’t be as scared.

Take a trip to your new community

If you can, take the kids to the family’s new home and community. Let them see the house, nearby parks, and the school they’ll attend. Point out all the aspects that they’ll like and remind them of all the good that will come from moving.

If you can’t visit the area, use the internet to your advantage! Show your kids the pictures on the house listing so they know what their new home will look like. Show them pictures of parks, sports centers, museums, and other places in the new town so they see how much fun it will be. Don’t forget to let them see what the school looks like too!

Providing a visual is a great way to dispel uncertainty. Your kids will have an easier time adapting when they know what to expect.

Transfer important records

Knowing how to plan a move with kids involves aspects that the children never even see.

Moving to a new area with school-age kids means you’ll need to send their records to their new school. Remember to notify administrators of any special needs or circumstances that will affect your children’s learning progress.

You’ll also need to find new doctors and other health professionals in the area. Make sure they have all the necessary medical documents so you and your family can stay on top of prescriptions and other health essentials.

Let them help pack

Are you wondering how to help your child cope with moving anxiety? Get them involved in the process!

When you let them help, Ryan and Rachel Ehmke from Child Mind state that it can make “them feel in control at a time when events in their lives can seem out of their hands.” For example, give the kids some boxes and let them pack up their room. Let them be in charge of labeling boxes or adding colorful stickers to them.

You can also let them weigh in on what color to paint their new room and other rooms in your house after you move in.

These responsibilities, no matter how small, will give your children a sense of belonging and authority that connects them to the move in a positive way.

Leave out cherished belongings

Packing for a move is a long process, and the house is going to look messy and disorganized. It’s easiest to pack up one room at a time, but it isn’t that easy when you’re moving with children. The little ones will have their favorite toys, blankets, clothes, and etc. that they feel they can’t live without.

Instead of fighting with them on it, let them choose which items to pack and which ones to leave out. Kids need familiarity, and those few items will make it seem less like their world is falling apart.

Throw a goodbye party

Goodbyes are always difficult, but a goodbye party is a great way to have fun before moving. You can invite the family, neighbors, and kids’ friends over to socialize and interact before you move away.

This will give everyone pleasant memories to look back on long after the fact. Kids tend to like tangible objects, so encourage those in attendance to bring a small memento for them.

It could be something that represents an inside joke, a souvenir of their hometown, or even a letter. They’ll love looking back at them and remembering the good times they had with their friends.

Arrange childcare

One of the other nitty-gritty details of moving with children is arranging a babysitter. It’s not easy to work with the moving company on moving day when you have young children that also need supervision, so it’s crucial that you set this up in the weeks prior.

Some moving companies partner with or provide childcare services as part of the package, but others may require you to look at other options. Be sure to consider friends or family as well since the kids will be comfortable with someone familiar. If the kids are old enough to look after themselves, consider providing activities for them in a room away from the movers.