Practical Steps for a Stress-Free Move With Kids

After going through seemingly endless considerations, you finally arrive at a big life decision: moving into a new house. A big achievement, right? Especially if you are married and looking for a more comfortable place to live with your partner and your little one. Very exciting!

But then you realize how monstrous moving house is, especially with a child in the family. Packing, sorting, finding a house moving service, checking the new house’s condition, and so on already present challenges that require careful preparation and planning.

Not to mention the whole stress of caring for your child’s emotional state. That’s another can of worms that you have to open.

Not to worry; this article teaches you how to deal with a ‘child-friendly’ house-moving situation. Learn how these “stress-free move-with-kids techniques” can make your transition with your little one more memorable than daunting!

Understanding the challenges of moving with kids

Moving homes is one of the most stressful experiences for most people. From piling up years of memories to navigating schedules, hiring movers, and adjusting to a new environment, every step can seem overwhelming.

That does not include what you must do to prepare for your child’s needs during the move. Moving is an emotional rollercoaster for children, especially if you’re moving long distances or to a different city or country.

In severe cases, moving can negatively affect children’s socio-emotional development. Depending on their age and personality, they may experience excitement, anxiety, or even fear. Your test as a parent is not only arranging the moving details but also addressing the emotional upheaval that comes with it.

Young children (toddlers and preschoolers)

At this age, they do not know anything about moving, so the sudden change is even more disorienting.

They will cry more or demand extra attention from you. Even if you’re just doing your own thing for 5 minutes, they may ask you again to get back to them. You may notice that your little one becomes crankier or prone to explode into tantrums from simple things.

The stress can cause nightmares, sleep problems, and loss of appetite. Even small changes — such as seeing their bed dismantled or toys packed into boxes — can cause them to lose their sense of home.

Young children thrive on routine, and when their familiar surroundings are hastily packed in boxes, the world seems to unravel.

School-aged kids

Older kids have a better idea of what moving is, and that itself can be a problem. They might think more about leaving behind than about what they’re heading to. Leaving behind their school and neighborhood friends can be devastating.

They’re entering a new life full of strangers, and the possibility of being “the new kid” and adapting to a new peer group can be intimidating.

Other kids may lash out and become cranky, rebellious, or withdrawn as they struggle to adapt. It’s a natural self-defense mechanism to protect yourself from unfamiliar situations; the same thing happens to you.

At this age, children won’t necessarily be able to verbalize their feelings, but behavior tells the tale. Tantrums, sulking, or indifference to the move are all indicators of hidden stress.

Teenagers

Teenagers prize their peer group so much. Starting anew, making new friends, and navigating new social hierarchies is overwhelming.

Your children can’t control the process, so they respond with rebellion or frustration. Familiar places, habits, and hangouts provide a sense of self, and losing them can feel like losing part of themselves. They need to start over again.

Other teens may openly grieve about the move, and others will withdraw and repress their emotions. Either way, the pressure of change is squarely put upon their sense of who they are and where they belong.

The importance of involving kids in the moving process

Moving is an emotional roller coaster for kids. But the more you involve them, the less anxious they’ll be and feel more a part of the ride. Instead of being helpless, they have some control, which can turn a torturous move into an epic journey.

Kids value routine and a move shatters everything they know. Giving them little responsibilities makes the move fun instead of scary. It reassures them that their fears are being listened to and gives them a feeling of security.

Being involved is also part of the adjustment. Adaptation is a part of life; the earlier your little one learns to cope, the more confident they become.

One way to do this is to provide them with photos of the new house in advance and ask for their input on how they would like to set up their own space. You can also allow them to help choose decorations for their new bedroom, select their bedding, or decide where their toys will be placed.

Even minor decisions, such as which books to unpack first, are lessons in problem-solving and self-reliance.

Engaging children in the moving process provides them with comfort. Instead of viewing the move as an imposition on their lives, they will feel like active partners in a new adventure — one in which their minds and emotions matter.

Practical steps for a stress-free move with kids

Moving with kids stress-free is achievable. These practical tips can make this journey epic for your little hero:

Prepare kids emotionally

Emotional preparation is the first and the most important stepping stone to achieving stress-free moves with kids.

It gives them a glimpse of their moving journey. It also helps them cope with the uncertain situation because they feel heard and understood. Thus, they can prepare to face the world of uncertainty ahead of them.

To prepare them emotionally, you can try the following:

Open and honest conversation. Pick a time to sit down and talk about the moving day early. Let your children express their feelings freely. Don’t force them to accept the situation immediately, yet tell them it’s okay to feel uncertain.
Glazing it with stories. Pick up a few children’s books exploring the theme of relocation to provide a safe space for kids to relate to characters going through the same situations. Perhaps, you can try to spin a yarn of Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan and Jan Berenstain, etc.
Reassurance. Highlight the exciting aspects of the move — new adventures, new friends, and a fresh space to make memories. Remind your little one that moving doesn’t mean losing everything. They can still visit their old friends and make new ones in time.
Gamification. You can frame the moving process as a fun and age-appropriate activity. You can also use the timer and challenge them to pack as many stuffed animals as possible within five minutes. If they are old enough, ask them to help label the boxes with colored stickers or markers.

Create a moving timeline that works for families

Whether you like planning or doing everything spontaneously, creating a timeline is essential when moving to a new home. It’s like a road map for this epic journey, especially for your kids.

To create your timeline, consider trying the following tips:

Chunk tasks. You cannot tackle everything at once. Set realistic deadlines for each task, from decluttering to packing, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Be sure to include specific time blocks for family activities to help you relax.
Incorporate into routines. Keep familiar activities intact where possible because kids thrive on routines. Create mini-routines, like packing after a nap or after dinner, so the kids can unwind without feeling the chaos around them.
Plan for the unexpected. Moving often brings surprises. To prepare for them, make a second plan for each step.

Pack efficiently with kids in mind

Packing ensures the safety of your belongings during the moving journey. Packing for a move with kids can feel like juggling a dozen balls at once, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

The key is to stay organized and prioritize the essentials. Thus, you can try the following organization hacks:

Labeling and categorizing. Ask your children about their favorite colors and mark the boxes filled with their essential items in their color (i.e., pink for clothes, blue for school stuff, green for their favorite toys).
Creating a kid-friendly “essentials bag.” Pack their favorite toys, a few books, snacks, a change of clothes, and any comfort items like a blanket or stuffed animal. Ensure this bag is always within reach to keep your child entertained and comfortable when things get hectic.

Listen more: Laura McHolm: Mastering the Art of Relocation from Preparation to Settling Down

Keep routines stable during the moving process

Don’t expect children to adapt to lightning speed in these changing situations.

Keeping routines stable during a move can ensure that they feel comfortable and secure. The familiarity of exact mealtimes and bedtimes can create a reassuring sense of normalcy amid the chaos.

Here are some tips:

Maintaining their usual meal schedule. Involve your little one in meal preparation at particular hours, following their regular routines.
Consistent bedtime. Being consistent doesn’t mean being rigid. Depending on your moving timeline, you can adjust when you start organizing your home, but try not to extend their usual bedtime too far.
Temporary adjustment. If the move means staying temporarily, consider making their new space as familiar as possible. Set up their sleeping area in a way that mirrors their old room, from the arrangement of their furniture to their favorite blankets.

Be flexible but stay mindful of their emotional needs. Stability during this time will make your kids feel less anxious and help them adjust to the new space more easily.

Manage long-distance moves with kids

Just as traveling to another country for a vacation requires specialized organizational skills, long-distance moving with kids also requires unique approaches.

It’s okay if you and your children feel worried, but with these tips, you can make a long-distance move a smooth and memorable experience:

Pack a bag of snacks and drinks. You can fill the bag with fresh fruit, granola bars, crackers, and water bottles. Avoid sugary snacks that might lead to an energy crash.
Prepare for entertainment alternatives. Create a travel playlist with your kids’ favorite songs, or download new audiobooks to keep their imaginations engaged. Pack each child a “travel kit” with small toys, coloring books, or a smart device loaded with movies and games.
Seat selection is key. When flying, opt for seats near the front for easier bathroom access and quicker disembarkation.

In conclusion

Moving with children seems like braving a stormy sea, yet with proper planning, it is possible to transform it into a thrilling adventure. It’s like sailing toward a new shore. Though the waters may be stormy initially, your preparation equips you for a smooth future journey.

While preparing for this relocation, ensure you’re well-grounded in your kids’ emotional well-being. Acknowledging their emotions, maintaining routines, and providing reassurance will help them feel stable during this disruption.

Now, take the first step. Your kids will look back on this move not with anxiety but with excitement and curiosity about the new chapter ahead.

Ready to set sail? The horizon awaits; with these practices, you’ll sail to your new home stress-free and united.

If you want to see more resources on moving, check out the Home Organization Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Home Organization Science Labs today.

Photo by Freepik

Esther Ananta Gracella