Moving to a new house is tough enough when you’re an adult. But moving with kids? That’s a whole different challenge. Kids love their routines and familiar spaces, so packing up and leaving can make them feel scared or upset. The good news is that with some smart planning and the right attitude, you can turn moving day into something your whole family actually looks forward to. These 15 simple tips will help you handle all the ups and downs of moving with kids while making some great memories along the way.
Start Planning Early and Get Your Kids Involved
The best thing you can do is start talking about the move as soon as you know it’s happening. Don’t keep it a secret – kids can sense when something big is going on anyway. They notice when you’re having quiet conversations with your partner or when you’re looking at houses online. Being honest from the start builds trust and gives them time to process this big change.
How to Tell Your Kids About the Move
Choose a calm moment when you won’t be interrupted. Sit down with your children and explain what’s happening in words they can understand. For younger kids, you might say something like, “Our family is going to move to a new house in a few months. We’ll pack up all our things and take them with us to our new home.” For older kids, you can share more details about why you’re moving and what the timeline looks like.
Common Questions Kids Ask and How to Answer Them:
- “Why do we have to move?” Be honest but age-appropriate. Maybe you got a new job, need more space, or want to be closer to family. Explain the reasons in a way that shows this is a positive decision for your family.
- “When are we moving?” Give them a clear timeline. If it’s three months away, help them understand what that means – maybe “after your birthday but before summer vacation starts.”
- “Can I bring all my toys?” Reassure them that their special belongings will come with them, but this is also a good time to start talking about donating toys they’ve outgrown.
- “Will I have to change schools?” Answer honestly and, if yes, focus on the exciting parts like making new friends and trying new activities.
- “What if I don’t like the new house?” Acknowledge their worry and explain that it’s normal to feel nervous about changes. Share what you’re excited about in the new home.
Ways to Include Kids in the Planning Process
Make your kids part of the planning process from day one. When kids feel like they have some control over what’s happening, they’re less likely to fight the whole process. You might be surprised by how helpful and excited they can get when they feel included.
Here are specific ways to get them involved:
- Let them help research the new area: Look up fun places like parks, libraries, and restaurants online together
- Give them packing responsibilities: They can decide what toys to pack first or which books they want to keep in their new room
- Include them in house decisions: Show them pictures of the new house and let them choose which room will be theirs
- Create a family moving calendar: Mark important dates and let kids add their own countdown drawings
- Make lists together: Write down things you’re excited about and things you’ll miss about your current home
Setting Up Regular Family Meetings
Once you’ve shared the news, plan to have regular family meetings about the move. These don’t need to be formal – maybe just 15 minutes over dinner once a week. Use this time to:
- Answer new questions that have come up
- Share updates about the moving timeline
- Let kids voice any concerns or worries
- Celebrate progress you’ve made together
- Plan fun activities related to the move
Age-Appropriate Involvement Strategies
For Toddlers (Ages 2-4):
- Use simple words and focus on the adventure aspect
- Read books about moving together
- Let them help pack their own toys in a special box
- Create a picture story about your move using photos
For School-Age Kids (Ages 5-11):
- Show them maps of where you’re moving
- Let them research their new school online
- Give them a notebook to write down questions and feelings
- Assign them specific packing tasks they can handle
For Teenagers (Ages 12+):
- Be completely honest about the reasons for moving
- Give them more control over decisions about their room and belongings
- Help them research activities and social opportunities in the new area
- Respect their need to process this change in their own way
Creating a Moving Binder or Journal
Start a family moving binder where everyone can contribute. Include sections for:
- Important moving dates and deadlines
- Pictures of your new house and neighborhood
- Questions and concerns from family members
- Fun ideas for your new home
- Contact information for friends you want to stay in touch with
- Research about your new community
Let each child decorate their own section and add drawings, thoughts, or pictures. This becomes a great keepsake of your moving journey and helps kids feel ownership over the process.
Dealing With Resistance
Not every child will be excited about moving, even with the best planning and involvement. If your child is resistant or upset, try these approaches:
- Listen without trying to fix everything immediately: Sometimes kids just need to express their feelings
- Validate their emotions: Say things like “I understand why you’re sad about leaving your friends”
- Focus on one small positive thing: Maybe they’ll have a bigger bedroom or be closer to grandparents
- Give them time: Some kids need longer to warm up to big changes
- Consider their personality: Introverted kids might worry more about making new friends, while extroverted kids might be excited about meeting new people
Planning Timeline Suggestions
Here’s a helpful timeline for involving kids in your moving plans:
8-12 weeks before moving:
- Tell kids about the move
- Start looking at pictures of your new area together
- Begin reading books about moving
6-8 weeks before moving:
- Visit the new area if possible
- Start involving kids in packing decisions
- Begin donating toys and clothes they’ve outgrown
4-6 weeks before moving:
- Let kids help choose paint colors or decorations for their new room
- Start packing items you won’t need for a while
- Create goodbye plans with friends
2-4 weeks before moving:
- Pack most non-essential items with kids’ help
- Plan special farewell activities
- Confirm arrangements for moving day
Week of the move:
- Pack kids’ survival kits
- Do final preparations together
- Review the moving day plan with everyone
Remember, every family is different, and you know your children best. Use these ideas as a starting point, but adapt them to fit your family’s needs and your kids’ personalities. The goal is to make your children feel heard, involved, and prepared for this big adventure your family is about to take together.
How to Move With Kids: Pack a Special Moving Day Kit
Every child should have their own special box that goes with you in the car, not on the moving truck. Fill it with all their favorite comfort stuff – that beloved teddy bear, their favorite snacks, some books, and maybe a tablet loaded with their favorite shows. Think of it as their security blanket in box form.
Don’t forget the practical stuff either. Pack some clean clothes, any medicines they take, phone chargers, and toiletries. When you get to your new house, your kids will have everything they need right away instead of digging through boxes for hours.
Check Out Your New Neighborhood First
If you can, take a family trip to your new area before moving day. Drive around and show your kids the cool stuff – parks, playgrounds, ice cream shops, and their new school. Let them see that there are fun things waiting for them in their new home.
Take lots of pictures during these visits and make a little photo book together. When moving day gets stressful, your kids can flip through the pictures and remember all the exciting places they’ll get to visit soon.
Keep Your Daily Routines Going
Kids feel safe when they know what to expect each day. So even though everything else is changing, try to keep your normal routines. If you always read bedtime stories, keep doing that. If Saturday morning means pancakes, make sure you still have pancake mix handy.
Pack a special box with all the stuff you need for your daily routines. This might be special cups for morning juice, favorite cereals, or the books you read every night. Having these familiar things available makes everything feel a little more normal.
Pack Smart and Let Kids Help
When it’s time to pack your kids’ rooms, let them be your helpers. They can decide what goes in each box and help you label everything. Use bright colored tape or fun stickers so each kid has their own color – it makes unpacking feel like a treasure hunt.
Here’s a smart trick: pack your kids’ rooms last and unpack them first at the new house. This way, they’ll have their familiar stuff back as quickly as possible in their new space.
How to Move With Kids: Pick the Right Time to Move
Timing really matters when you’re moving with kids. Try not to move right before the first day of school, during the holidays, or when your kids have something really important happening with their friends. Summer moves often work great because kids have time to get used to everything before school starts.
Think about moving day itself too. Some families send the kids to grandma’s house during the actual move, while others keep everyone together. Do whatever feels right for your family – you know your kids best.
Get Them Excited About Their New Space
Help your kids picture all the cool things about their new home. Maybe they’ll have a bigger bedroom, or there’s a swimming pool, or a great backyard for playing. Talk about how they want to set up their new room and what fun activities they can do in the new house.
Let your kids help choose some new things for their room – maybe new bedding, wall decorations, or a different way to arrange their furniture. When they have something new and exciting to look forward to, it’s easier to leave the old stuff behind.
Listen to Their Worries and Feelings
Moving brings up lots of big feelings for kids. They might be sad about leaving friends, worried about making new ones, or just scared about all the changes. That’s totally normal, and it’s important to let them talk about these feelings without trying to fix everything right away. As parents, our first instinct is often to jump in and make everything better, but sometimes kids just need someone to listen and understand what they’re going through.
Why Kids Have Strong Emotions About Moving
Children experience the world differently than adults do. What might seem like an exciting adventure to you could feel like their whole world is falling apart to them. Here’s why moving can be so emotionally challenging for kids:
- Their sense of security comes from familiar places: Kids feel safe when they know where everything is and what to expect
- Friendships are their whole social world: Leaving friends behind can feel like losing everything that matters
- They have less control over their lives: Adults make the decisions, and kids have to go along with changes they didn’t choose
- They don’t fully understand the benefits yet: Kids can’t always see the positive aspects of moving that adults can see
- Change is harder for developing brains: Children’s brains are still learning how to cope with big transitions
Common Feelings Kids Experience During a Move
Understanding what your child might be feeling can help you respond with empathy and support. Here are the most common emotions kids experience:
Sadness and Grief:
- Missing friends and familiar places
- Feeling like they’re losing their childhood home
- Mourning the end of routines and traditions
Fear and Anxiety:
- Worrying about making new friends
- Concern about fitting in at a new school
- Fear of the unknown
Anger and Frustration:
- Feeling powerless about the decision to move
- Being upset about leaving things behind
- Frustration with all the changes happening at once
Excitement Mixed With Worry:
- Looking forward to new experiences but scared at the same time
- Wanting to be positive but feeling guilty about leaving
How to Create a Safe Space for Sharing
Your child needs to know they can share their real feelings without being judged or rushed into feeling better. Here’s how to create that safe environment:
Set aside dedicated talk time:
- Choose quiet moments without distractions
- Don’t try to have deep conversations while you’re busy packing
- Make it clear that you have time to really listen
- Let your child know these conversations can happen anytime they need them
Use active listening techniques:
- Put down your phone and make eye contact
- Repeat back what you heard to show you understand
- Ask follow-up questions to learn more about their feelings
- Avoid immediately offering solutions or advice
Validate their emotions:
- Say things like “That sounds really hard” or “I can understand why you’d feel that way”
- Don’t minimize their feelings with phrases like “You’ll get over it” or “It’s not that bad”
- Let them know that all feelings are okay, even the difficult ones
Questions Kids Commonly Ask About Their Feelings
“Is it okay that I’m sad about moving?” Absolutely. It shows how much you care about the people and places in your current home. Being sad about leaving something good behind is a sign that you have a loving heart.
“What if I never stop missing my old home?” It’s normal to always have special memories of places you’ve lived. Missing your old home doesn’t mean you can’t be happy in your new one. You can love both places for different reasons.
“Why am I scared if moving is supposed to be good?” Being scared of new things is completely normal, even when those things might turn out great. Your brain is just trying to protect you by being cautious about changes.
“Am I being a baby if I cry about moving?” Not at all. Crying is how our bodies release stress and sadness. People of all ages cry when they’re dealing with big changes. It’s actually healthy to let those feelings out.
“What if I hate our new house?” It’s okay to feel unsure about your new home at first. Most people need time to adjust to new places. Give yourself permission to miss your old house while also staying open to finding things you like about your new one.
Practical Ways to Help Kids Process Their Emotions
Create a feelings journal:
- Give your child a special notebook just for writing or drawing about the move
- Encourage them to record both positive and negative feelings
- Look through it together regularly and talk about what they’ve written
- Let them decorate the cover to make it feel special
Use art and creative expression:
- Set up drawing or craft time focused on feelings about moving
- Let them create a picture of their current home to keep as a memory
- Make a collage of things they’re excited about in their new home
- Use clay or playdough to work through emotions with their hands
Practice emotion-naming:
- Help kids put words to what they’re feeling beyond just “good” or “bad”
- Use feeling charts or emotion wheels designed for children
- Normalize complex emotions by saying things like “It sounds like you’re feeling excited and nervous at the same time”
Role-play difficult situations:
- Practice introducing themselves to new classmates
- Act out what to do if they feel homesick at their new school
- Rehearse how to keep in touch with old friends
Books That Help Kids Understand Moving Emotions
Reading together is one of the best ways to help children process their feelings about moving. Here are some great options for different ages:
For Younger Kids (Ages 3-7):
- “The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- “Goodbye House, Hello House” by Mack Barton
- “Moving Day” by Anthony G. Brandon
- “We’re Moving” by Heather Henning
For School-Age Kids (Ages 8-12):
- “My Name is Not Easy” by Debby Dahl Edwardson (for older kids in this range)
- “The Thing About Georgie” by Lisa Graff
- “The Year of the Book” by Andrea Cheng
Discussion questions to use with any moving book:
- How did the character feel about moving at the beginning of the story?
- What helped them feel better about their new home?
- What parts of this story remind you of our family’s move?
- What would you tell this character if they were your friend?
Sharing Your Own Stories
Kids need to know that adults have felt scared about changes too. Share age-appropriate stories from your own life about times when you:
- Started at a new school or job
- Moved to a new place
- Had to do something that scared you but turned out well
- Made new friends after being nervous about it
- Felt homesick but eventually felt better
When you share these stories, focus on:
- How you felt at the time (scared, nervous, excited)
- What helped you get through the difficult parts
- How things turned out in the end
- What you learned from the experience
Red Flags: When to Seek Additional Help
While it’s normal for kids to have strong emotions about moving, sometimes they might need extra support. Consider talking to your child’s doctor or a counselor if you notice:
- Sleep problems that last more than a few weeks
- Loss of appetite or significant changes in eating habits
- Withdrawal from family activities they usually enjoy
- Extreme anger or aggression that’s unusual for your child
- Persistent sadness that doesn’t improve over time
- Physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause
Creating Ongoing Emotional Support
Supporting your child’s emotions during a move isn’t just a one-time conversation. Here’s how to provide ongoing support:
Weekly check-ins:
- Set aside time each week to ask how they’re feeling about the move
- Make it a regular part of your routine, like during a car ride or before bedtime
- Keep these conversations low-pressure and natural
Acknowledge progress:
- Notice when your child handles a moving-related situation well
- Point out their bravery when they try something new
- Celebrate small victories in adjusting to changes
Stay patient with setbacks:
- Expect good days and bad days throughout the process
- Don’t panic if your child seems to be doing well and then has a difficult day
- Remind them that healing and adjusting aren’t always straight lines
Connect feelings to actions:
- Help your child understand that it’s okay to feel sad and still participate in packing
- Show them that they can be nervous about their new school and still get excited about their new bedroom
- Teach them that having mixed feelings is completely normal
Remember, your calm and supportive response to your child’s emotions will teach them valuable life skills about handling change and processing difficult feelings. By listening without judgment and validating their experiences, you’re showing them that their feelings matter and that they can trust you with their biggest worries. This foundation of trust and communication will serve your family well not just during your move, but throughout all the changes life brings.
Plan Special Ways to Say Goodbye
Create some meaningful ways to say goodbye to your current home and town. You might take pictures at all your favorite spots, have a goodbye party with friends, or make a memory box filled with special things from your current city. These activities help kids feel like they’re finishing one chapter of their life before starting a new one.
Set up some playdates with close friends before you move and make sure you have everyone’s contact information. Knowing they can still talk to their best friends makes moving feel less scary.
Learn About Their New School
If your kids are changing schools, do some research together. Many schools will let new students visit before their first day. You can meet teachers, see classrooms, and learn about fun school traditions. The more familiar everything feels on that first day, the less nervous your kids will be.
Look into fun activities your kids might want to join – sports teams, art classes, or other clubs. Having something exciting to look forward to can really help kids feel positive about their new school.
How to Move With Kids: Get Help From Professional Organizers
Moving is a perfect time to go through all your family’s stuff and decide what you really need. Professional organizers who work with families can help you sort through everything without the stress. They can also teach your kids good skills about making decisions and letting go of things they’ve outgrown.
When professionals help you get organized, your move goes much smoother. You’ll lose fewer things, and your new house will be set up in a way that makes daily life easier for everyone.
Set Up Kids’ Rooms First
As soon as you get to your new house, make setting up your kids’ bedrooms the top priority. When their familiar stuff is arranged in their new space, they’ll feel settled much faster. Let your kids help unpack their own boxes and decide where everything should go.
Create cozy spots where your kids can go when they feel overwhelmed. This might be a reading corner, a place for art projects, or just their bed with all their favorite pillows and stuffed animals arranged just right.
Explore Your New Community Together
In your first few weeks, make exploring your new area a fun family activity. Find the library, discover the best playground, figure out where the grocery store is, and try some new restaurants. These little adventures help everyone learn their way around while making new memories together.
Look for community groups or activities your family might enjoy. Many towns have special programs to help new families meet people and feel welcome.
Be Patient – It Takes Time
Remember that getting used to a new home and community doesn’t happen overnight. Some kids adjust really quickly, while others need several months to feel completely comfortable. Don’t worry if your child has some tough days, trouble sleeping, or emotional moments during the first few weeks.
Celebrate the small wins, like when your child remembers the way to their new school or makes a friend at the playground. Recognizing these little successes helps kids see how well they’re doing with all the changes.
Take Pictures and Keep Memories
Start a moving journal or photo album that shows your family’s whole moving adventure. Take pictures of packing day, the drive to your new home, and your first week in the new place. Years from now, your family will love looking back at these memories and remembering how you got through this big change together.
Let your kids help with this project by drawing pictures, writing about their feelings, or taking their own photos of important moments. It’s a great way for them to work through their emotions while creating something special.
Conclusion
Moving with kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With some good planning, honest communication, and a positive attitude, you can turn this big change into a great family adventure. Remember that every child is different, so use these tips in whatever way works best for your family.
The secret to making your move a success is staying organized, keeping everyone involved, and focusing on all the exciting opportunities waiting for your family in your new home. Yes, moving with kids has its challenges, but it’s also a chance to build stronger family bonds, create new memories, and start fresh in a place that’s perfect for your family right now.
If you’re getting ready to move and feeling stressed about all the packing and organizing, Palm Beach Organized is here to help. We know how to make family moves smoother and less overwhelming. Our professional organizing services can take the stress out of moving and help you create organized, peaceful spaces in your new home. Contact us today to learn how we can make your family’s move a success.
