Are you planning an upcoming household move with kids soon? Moving is stressful enough, but with kids, it’s even more challenging as part of the process.

Proper preparation is essential, and the sooner you start planning, the better off you’ll be.

Here are some helpful tips for your moving adventure with kids in tow.

Share the Moving News Early

As soon as you’ve finalized your plans and know for sure your home move is inevitable, share the news with your kids. Stay positive and keep your kids up-to-speed about the planning process.

Make sure they’re aware of and have an understanding of what’s going on regarding the move, no matter how young they are.

Talk over the positive aspects and exciting adventures of selling a home and moving to a new one. 

Encourage their questions about the upcoming move. Provide what answers you can. You may not have all the answers right now, but establishing their trust is essential.

Try not to dismiss their feelings or fears. Deal with them as best you can. It may take them a little bit to get used to the idea of the move.

Start Weeks in Advance

If possible, start the moving process well ahead of the big day. This will save you the stress of last-minute packing and preparations.

Begin to clean and organize your kid’s rooms months before the move-out day. This is the ideal time to pare down on toys, items, and clothes that they have outgrown or no longer use. 

Work together. Decide which items to keep and what old toys can go. Consider having a garage sale to pass the stuff along. Then donate whatever is left.

Create a packing schedule to include your kids in the process. Let them take ownership in some of the moving process.

Pack a Special Box

Let your young children pack a special box filled with items that have significant meaning to them. It might be filled with favorite games, toys, books, and stuffed animals. This box, complete with their personalized items, can provide a sense of comfort to them during the move.

They might even want to decorate their special box with markers and stickers.

If possible, keep this box with you in the car as you travel to the new house. When you arrive at your new house, make time to unpack that personal box together in their new room. This will be an excellent way to bond and allow your kids to feel comfortable in their new home.

Maintain Their Routines

During the packing and moving process, try to maintain your kid’s routine as much as possible. It will be challenging, but it will go a long way toward feeling secure and a sense of normalcy during a disruptive time.

Keep naptimes, mealtimes, and bedtimes as consistent as possible. 

If your family has a tradition of popcorn and movie night each Friday or Pizza on Saturdays, maintain that family fun time. Keep your habits intact. Make moving as fun as possible by maintaining those fun things you all enjoy doing together.

Explore the New Neighborhood

Explore your new community and neighborhood as a family.

Check out the nearest parks and forest preserves. Perhaps find a new favorite pizza place or ice cream shop. Start building new family memories in your new home.

Move with Ease

While moving with kids can be a challenge, their ultimate resilience might surprise you. With the right preparation and guidance, they should adapt to the change in no time.

Let us help take some stress off; contact us for a free quote today. We can help you pack and move so that you can take care of the family details.