How to Move with Kids Easily

A relocation is one of the biggest life decisions that you can ever make. It involves taking a leap that will affect every aspect of your life. Moving from one home to another will not just affect your career and daily routine, more importantly it will also affect your family and your kids.

Moving with children can be very challenging because children may not necessarily understand your reasons for moving. If handled improperly, a move can leave them depressed or traumatized. But of course, children’s reactions differ with their age. Below we’ll try to share some tips for moving with children based on their age range.

General Tips for Moving with Kids

• Prepare one box that will be opened immediately upon arrival at your new home. This should contain their basic necessities like a change of clothes and toiletries. You can also add some family pictures or memorable decor to make the new place feel like home.
• Take care of all the documents needed for their school or day-care transfer. This should be done months before the actual move.
• Make sure to properly pack and prepare all of their important documents: birth certificates, school records, dental records, medical records and so on.
• If possible take them on visits to your new home. This will help them to visualize the new home and not see it as a scary or unknown place.

Moving with Babies

• The first thing to remember is that you can never leave a baby alone. Somebody has to be in charge of your baby at all times. You can ask for the assistance of a nanny or a close family member.
• As a parent, you will be very busy with all sorts of tasks for the move. Despite this, you should always remember the needs of your baby, especially those that have to be on schedule: mealtimes, sleeping hours, and so on.
• During the stressful moving day, you may also consider leaving your baby with your parents for a day while you tend to the supervision of your movers.

Moving with Toddlers

• Assign your toddlers to a safe and secure room during moving day. This will help to avoid accidents during the packing or unloading of your belongings.
• As much as possible, they should be under the supervision of an adult during the entire process.
• Don’t pack all of their toys in boxes. Let them choose one or two toys that they can bring with them personally during the move. Favorite blankets will work too. This will help keep them entertained as well as give them a feeling of familiarity during the move.

Moving with Young Kids

• Allowing them to join you in the preparation and planning process will make them feel like they’re an important part of the relocation. Ask them about small decisions like the color of their new room, or the new friends they will meet in your new neighborhood.
• Let them help you when you’re packing non-breakable items such as clothes, toys, and so on.
• Give them time to say goodbye to their old friends. Young kids already have impressionable relationships and giving them a good transition will be very soothing for them.

Moving with Teenagers

• Teenagers will not cause much trouble during moving day since they’re not as immature or playful as young kids. However, the tricky part is in the days before and after the move. Make sure to talk to them about why the relocation is necessary. Try to be honest with them and avoid miscommunication.
• Assure them that with today’s technology, it will be very easy for them to stay in touch with their friends.

The most important thing to remember when moving with children is that you need to keep them safe. This should be followed by a clear explanation and discussion with the bigger kids. Moving to a new home is not just a big change for you, it’s an even bigger deal for the young ones.

If you want to start preparing for your move today, contact Alpha Van Lines so we can direct you with trusted moving companies from your area.