6 Tips To Ensure Your Move Is Smooth For Your Kids

June 10th, 2021

Moving can be a stressful experience for any family. Whether it’s down the street or across the country, moving will force your family to adjust to an entirely new environment. While this change is for the best, it can be overwhelming for your children. Here are six tips to help ensure your move is smooth for your kids.

 

Scope Out The New Neighborhood Ahead Of Time

Part of what makes moving so tricky is the lack of familiarity. Scoping out the new neighborhood ahead of time allows you to help your kids get to know the area better before moving. Doing this earlier will allow you to:

  • Find new restaurants to try
  • Locate activities for the kids
  • Visit the kid’s new school
  • Drive through your new neighborhood

 

Allow The Kids To Make Decisions When Possible

If you moved because of an external factor such as work, it could feel like the decision to move was made without your kids. Allowing them to make minor decisions can help them feel empowered and more aligned with the move. You can let them:

  • Pick room colors
  • Pick rooms
  • Choose new furniture for their room
  • Choose dinner options

These decisions don’t impact your family drastically but will mean the world to your kids.

 

Schedule Time For Friend/Family Visits

Are you moving away from family and friends? While it may not be feasible to visit them immediately after your move, scheduling it will give your children to look forward. Ask your children who they will miss the most and begin planning a visit once you know you are moving. When they start to feel homesick, you can remind them of the upcoming plans and give them something to look forward to.

 

Give Them Time To Adjust

It will take time to adjust to the new surroundings. Being patient as your children experience this change will allow them to get back to normal. While it is much more difficult for parents to move, allowing them to experience these feelings will streamline the entire process. They will appreciate this time and support.

 

Find Ways For Them To Make New Friends

When your children move, they aren’t just adjusting to a new physical environment but a new social environment too. Finding ways in which they can make friends will help them to adapt much more quickly. Great places for them to make new friends are:

  • Sports
  • Interest-based clubs
  • School
  • Summer camps
  • Parks/playgrounds

 

Don’t Neglect Your Old Schedule

Your schedule will help provide a sense of familiarity that they need during your move. Make sure to stick to regular routines when possible. These routines include:

  • Bedtimes and routines
  • Dinner time
  • Eating at home
  • Game nights
  • Extracurricular activities

If you have questions about moving or the mortgage process, click here and schedule a time to speak with one of our qualified mortgage loan officers.