Moving with Children isn’t easy, but you’ve got this! Here’s 10 tips to minimize the impact on you and your kids.
Hey everyone, welcome back! I’m Lindsay, with the Wise Move AZ Team at RealtyONE Group. If you want to stay up to date on all things Anthem and Real Estate then you’ll want to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! Pro Tip: You’re also going to want to hit that little bell icon so that you’re the first to know when our new videos are posted every single Thursday!
As your Anthem, Arizona REALTOR® I am side by side with families as they get ready to move into and out of their homes every day, and on a personal note, I have moved a lot, including 3 different countries. So, trust me when I say, I have so much empathy for how stressful moving can be!
Moving can be stressful no matter what your situation is, but if you’re adding kids into the mix, it can be enough to rattle even the calmest of parents. In this week’s blog post (and video), I will share 10 tips you can implement throughout the moving process to help minimize the impact on your children.
Tip #1: Plan around the school year
This one may seem obvious, but the better you can time your move around the kids’ school year, the less disruptive it will be. Ideally you would be settled into your new home a few weeks before a new school year starts. This will require some careful planning (and timing), especially if you are selling your current home, buying another, and moving to a different city, state, or country. Take time to plan the process with your real estate agents and give yourself deadlines throughout the process.
Tip #2: Get the kids involved
If your children are old enough we always recommend involving them in the decision making process. If they can have some say in their new home and the things they are taking with them, they are way more likely to get on board.
Tip #3: Talk about the move… A LOT
Your kids won’t have the constant stressors and reminders about the move that you do. While you’re busy setting up utilities, booking movers, scheduling meetings, and more, they may still be in their normal routine, which is fantastic! That being said you want to remind them regularly about the move and talk about it positively. Ask them what they are most looking forward to in their new house, school or neighborhood. Talk about all the fun things you will be able to do or try as a family at the new house, and more.
Tip #4: Give them creative freedom
Give your kids the freedom to design their own bedroom or play area. Now, we’re not saying you have to run out and get all new furniture or do anything overly expensive, but let them be involved in how their room will be laid out and what things they want to bring! By designing their own space they are going to be more excited and invested in the move.
Tip #5: Purge, purge, purge
We all know that having kids can also mean having a lot of STUFF. The move is the perfect time to get rid of toys and clothing they no longer want or need. You don’t want to pay to move things you don’t need. It is important that you involve them in this process if they are old enough. Encourage them to make room for new things at the new house and let them know that there are other children who would love to play with the toys they are no longer using or wear the clothes that no longer fit. It’s a win-win!
Tip #6: Visit new schools in advance
If your children are school aged, it is always a great idea to take them to the school before the move if possible. By taking a tour of the school they may be able to get a sense of what extra-curricular activities they want to be involved in and they may even be able to meet some of their future classmates. Reach out to the schools to see if this is something they would accommodate.
Tip #7: Don’t pack everything
What I mean by this is make sure that you have some of the comforts of home at hand throughout the move, like a care package. Whether it’s a favorite outfit, snacks, or a stuffed animal, you want to make sure your kids are as happy as possible during the actual move, regardless of whether it’s a drive down the street, or a flight across the country.
Tip #8: Keep in touch with old friends
I moved to a different country when I was very young, and one of the things that helped make it easier was having a plan to stay in touch with my old friends. Now, I’m not going to tell you how long ago this was, but suffice it to say our plan included mailing letters across the ocean. Nowadays there are SO many ways to stay in touch with old friends. They can FaceTime, email, or whatever kids like to do today. Is it Snapchat? Yeah, they probably don’t use Snapchat anymore… Anyways, whatever method they like, this can be a big help!
Tip #9: Invite friends to visit or come for a sleepover
This kind of follows along from the previous point, but if possible have friends come out for a visit at the new house.
Tip #10: Take care of yourself
Anything you can do to manage your stress during the move is going to help your kids. Take time to relax and focus on self-care. Your kids will follow your lead!
So, there you have it! What do you think, will some of these tips work for your family? Leave us a comment below!
See YOU, next Thursday!
