The moving process can be thrilling but stressful, especially if you’re moving long-distance. For adults, the stress of moving often revolves around logistics and planning, but for children, the process can be even more challenging. Leaving friends, switching schools, and departing from a childhood home can bring feelings of sadness, confusion, and anxiety. While kids are often adaptable and resilient, it’s important to recognize their feelings and implement strategies to make the moving process easier.
How Does Moving Affect a Child?
Moving to a new place can be exciting for a family. With opportunities to meet new people, grow professionally, or explore different areas, moving can be a great experience for every family member. However, for children, moving can be stressful or saddening at first. While every situation and child is different, it’s important to recognize the impact this transition can have on your loved ones.
Younger children in kindergarten or first grade can have a unique experience because they’re just beginning to adjust to new authority figures and relationships. Relocating can interfere with normal separation processes, potentially making children more dependent on their parents.
Older children and teens can have difficulties with relocating because they place heavy importance on their peer groups. Preteens and teenagers often resist moving and try to find solutions, such as staying with a family member or friend.
Unfortunately, many children also face internalizing behaviors such as anxiety and depression during residential disruption. Signs of these internal challenges may show outwardly through social withdrawal, grade drops, increased irritability, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, and other mood or behavior changes.
Embracing the Transition: Tips for Moving With Children
Making a plan is important when preparing for a move. The same principle can apply to guiding your child through the transition. Consider your child’s experiences, needs, and concerns, and find ways to address and help them overcome their fears. While you may need to alter strategies depending on your child’s age or level of understanding, keep these tips in your arsenal.
1. Be Open and Honest
First, it’s important to embrace honesty from the start of the moving process. Use age-appropriate language to discuss when and why the move is happening. Keep your children in the loop as you finalize answers. Straightforward, direct language can keep things simple and avoid confusion.
Also, be sure to devote enough time to these conversations. Your child might need some time to process what you’re saying. Give them the space to formulate their thoughts and ask questions. Answer each question they have honestly, and make sure the duration of your discussion is free of interruptions.
2. Involve Your Kids
Involve your child in moving-related tasks and decisions. Doing so can help them feel like this transition is something they can take charge of and reduce feelings of helplessness.
Regardless of their age, there are several ways to include your child to make the process easier and find ways to excite them. Consider these strategies:
- Give them a vote: When possible, encourage your child to voice their thoughts and show you’re listening. For example, you could include your child in house hunting. Whether you look at listings online or take physical tours, ask your child to join the journey.
- Create moving lists: Give your child ownership by creating moving lists for them to interpret. Help them make lists of items they should pack into boxes soon, things to keep in a backpack for moving day, and several packing categories for their bedroom items.
- Provide a few boxes: Encourage your child to physically help pack and move things to make them feel more involved. While it may be easier for older children to partake in this process across the house, there are ways to involve younger children as well. For example, asking them to pack their stuffed animals or toys can encourage organization while reducing any worries you have about items breaking or getting lost.
3. Take a Trip to Your New Town
If you’re moving to an unfamiliar location, consider taking a trip or two to explore the area before the move. Use this mini vacation as an opportunity to find exciting places to eat, parks to visit, and hobbies to enjoy. Ask your child what they are excited about in your new home and find ways to satiate this curiosity.
If you are able to visit your new home, encourage your child to pick their bedroom, explore the yard, and find unique elements to get excited about when your family finally arrives. Even if you can’t visit your new home or haven’t finalized your address, this trip can make your child feel more comfortable in the area when you arrive.
4. Ensure Plenty of Time to Prepare
As moving day draws closer, many unexpected moments are bound to arise. Friends may drop by to give a final farewell. Other moments may be more stressful, such as your child having a meltdown as they anticipate leaving their familiar space behind.
Give your family as much time as possible to prepare for the relocation, and address any roadblocks that arise without adding to the overall stress. Additionally, find exciting ways to use your free time so the moving process doesn’t always feel overwhelming or stressful for you and your child. Visit your child’s favorite restaurants, throw a going-away party, and spend time with friends and family members you may not see as frequently after the move.
5. Consider Crashing Somewhere Else
Moving with young kids can be easier if you stay somewhere else before the official moving day and while settling into your new home. Renting a space or staying with a family member can make the transition more manageable. Your kids won’t have to see an empty childhood home, and you can begin unpacking to avoid the frustration of navigating boxes during nonmoving activities.
Coming back to a calm space at the end of the day can give every family member peace of mind and a mental break during the transition. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your kids getting into boxes during rest times in the early morning or late night hours.
Make Moving With Kids a Positive Experience With Daymakers
Moving requires lots of planning and logistics. To make the process easier, hiring professional movers can give you peace of mind and take some of the load off your shoulders.
With Daymakers Moving & Storage, you can find local moving and long-distance services to ease your transition. Our team has over a decade of experience moving families in the greater Minneapolis and Saint Paul area. Choosing our dedicated movers to help pack, load, and unload your home can streamline the process and allow you to focus on what really matters — supporting your child.
Request a free moving quote today.
