Relocating, especially across the country, can be stressful for anyone. If you have young kids, the stress levels can get significantly magnified. If you can make the entire experience more fun, you will be amazed at how well your children can adjust to the entire moving process. The following tips can make your move a more streamlined, stress-free, and fun experience for your kids as well as for you as a parent.
1. Prepare Your Kids for the Upcoming Move
From the moment you know you have a relocation on hand, you should start preparing your kids for the move. When you relocate to a new city, emotional stress on children can be significant. Talk to your kids about the move, making sure the message fits their age.
Tell them the reasons for moving and the process. This can help them prepare and feel more confident as things unfold in the way you explained. They will have tons of questions before, during, and after they move. Make sure to answer those questions honestly and openly.
2. Visit Your New Home
If possible, have your kids accompany you to your new place. If it is not possible initially, it is recommended to arrive ahead of your moving van or truck and stay at a hotel. It is recommended to visit key locations such as:
- Schools
- Community theater
- Library
- Music school
- YMCA
Visit your new home and drive around the local community and your new workplace to make your children feel connected.
3. Get Your Children Involved
Make sure your children are involved in different aspects of your moving process. Some of the ways this can be done include:
- Have them Help with Packing: When you involve your kids in the packing process, they will also feel like being part of the move. Make sure they at least pack their own belongings, especially toys.
- Make it Fun: Make the packing process more fun by allowing your kids to decorate their boxes.
- Pack their Favorites Bag: Ask your kids to pick their favorite toys and items to pack into a special bag they can carry along during the move.
- Make the Road Trip Fun: A cross-country move can take a lot of time. Pack a bag with coloring books and other games. It is also recommended to pack a cooler with their favorite drinks and snacks.
- Enjoy Family Time: Moving long-distance with family can be stressful. So, it is important to create quality time along the way. Play games, stop at cool attractions and talk to them about how they are feeling.
Also, get your kids involved in unpacking and make the process fun.
4. Perform Car Checks
Besides the usual oil, tire and gas checks, inspect your kids’ car seats.
- Make sure the seats are suited for your kids’ weight and height
- Check the condition of the seats and proper installation
- If required, get new seats
5. Plan Your Road Trip
Make sure to plan your road trip while fitting in your kids’ routines if possible. Start early, plan the stops for lunch and dinner, and stay at a hotel overnight. Make plenty of restroom stops without asking your kids if they need to go. If possible, plan a fun stop at an activity center, national park, tourist attraction or some other place of interest.
While moving, whether long-distance or short-distance, it is important to be sensitive to any emotional changes in your kids. Look out for signs of low energy, irritability, changes in sleeping or eating patterns and social withdrawal. If you notice these signs, try to spend more time with them and talk about their feelings. So, make sure to follow these tips when moving across the country with your kids.
