Relocating With Kids: 6 Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Uprooting your child from their everyday life and taking them to a new place can be challenging. The child has to change schools, leave their friends behind, and abandon their beloved bedroom. But you can do some things to make a move smooth and minimize fears. Follow these tips for a stress-free relocation with kids.

1. Be Transparent

Be honest with your child. Your child should know the exact reasons you plan to relocate to a new place. Also, share the moving schedule with the kids once you finalize the plans. You can break the news during dinner, at a family meeting, or at a walk-and-talk break.

2. Pack Their Bedroom Last and Unpack It First

One major first-day goal is to set up your child's room. While you continue to unpack and organize the house, your child will have a safe haven away from all chaos. The correct procedure is to pack the child's sheets and other items in their bedroom on moving day. Pack these items in a special package and unpack them first.

After moving in, the child can sleep better if they sleep on their favorite and familiar bedding. Unpack other items the child can't sleep without first.

3. Maintain Crucial Routines

Changes in routine can cause distress and fear. While things can't be precisely the same as usual, try to maintain the child's daily routine. For example, the child should wake up and go to bed at the usual time.

4. Tour the New Place

After moving, you’ll likely spend the first few days in your new house. But after a week has elapsed and you have done most of the unpacking, take your kids out to see the new place. The tour will help the child identify local landmarks and meet members of your new community. If possible, get a guidebook to help you know the city faster.

The best approach is to sit down with your child and create a tour routine. You can see the nearest museums, hike nearby hills, or kayak at a nearby state park. If the child meets a new friend, encourage the new friend to join you on your outings.

5. Have Fun Projects

Your child might probably be somewhere else with a friend or family member during the moving day. However, the moving process will continue long after you reach the new place. To prevent anxiety, find some fun activities to keep the child occupied as you unpack.

For example, you can encourage your child to do some decorations. They can decorate their new room and decide on other decor items. Allow the child to choose the color of the new wall and bedspread. You can also buy some board or computer games to distract the child from the stress of settling into a new place.

6. Research Schools

If you have school-aged children, you will need to put them in new schools. Begin researching schools in the new area before you move there. Consider both public and private schools, or the child can also help you to pick their new school.

You also need to notify your child’s current school of your impending move. The school can provide a recommendation letter and other documents to help your child get admission to a new school. Also, start the enrollment process early and transfer the kid's records to the new school. If your kid has any special needs, let the new school management know.

Have a Seamless Moving Process

The success of your moving day depends on the movers that you work with. Baker Moving & Supplies is a local residential moving company that helps people move to new houses, apartments, townhouses, and condos. Our moving services include a professional team and effective equipment. Contact us for more information.