The Complete Guide to Moving with Kids: Tips for Every Age and Stage

Moving is stressful for adults, but it can be especially tough on children. Their lives get disrupted, routines ignored, and their familiar home is replaced by an unknown space filled with boxes and chaos. Whether you're moving across town with toddlers or helping your young adult move out on their own, this comprehensive guide has tips for every stage of your family's moving journey.

Before the Move: Preparing Your Children

Involve Your Kids in the Moving Process

The more involved your kids are in the moving process, the better. Let them pack their clothes and toys, even if it's not perfect. Giving them a role makes them feel helpful and more in control of the situation. Children often act out because they need some sense of power—empowering them with small tasks can reduce tantrums and frustrations.

Encourage them to decorate their moving boxes or decide what goes where. This not only makes them feel included but also adds a fun element to the process.

Explore the New Area Together

Get your kids excited about the move by involving them in exploring the new neighborhood. Check out parks, restaurants, and fun activities nearby. Drive by their new school or even take a tour so they can see where they'll be attending. Plan a few visits before the move if possible—familiarity with the new area can reduce the fear of the unknown.

Encourage Open Communication

Allow your children to express their feelings about the move. If you're stressed, be open about it. Let them know it's okay to feel stressed or sad about relocating. Encouraging them to voice their concerns helps them feel heard and reassured. Having honest conversations can build trust and make them feel more secure during this big change.

Host a Goodbye Party

Give your kids the chance to say goodbye to friends with a farewell party. Children love celebrations, and this can be a fun way to make the move feel like a positive, exciting event. A goodbye party provides closure, making it easier for your children to look forward to the adventures ahead.

During the Move: Making It Fun and Stress-Free

Turn the Move Into an Adventure

Talk about the new house, which room each child will get, and let them start planning how they want to decorate or paint their rooms. Making the new home feel like a fun, new beginning can help them look forward to the change. Involve them in small decisions, like picking out new curtains or choosing a color for their room.

Get Professional Help

Whether you have five kids or just one energetic toddler, extra hands can make a big difference. Consider hiring professional movers to help with packing, loading, and unloading. This not only gives you more time with your children but also reduces your stress, which in turn lowers the stress your kids might feel about the move.

After the Move: Helping Kids Adjust to Their New School

One of the toughest parts of moving with kids is what happens after the move. They have to get used to a new city, new school, new teachers, and new peers. Here's how to help them fit in.

Acknowledge Their Feelings

You might think the best approach for a child struggling to adjust is to help them forget about their old school. However, it's important to show your child that you understand their feelings and empathize with them. Let them know that feeling lonely or missing their old friends is normal. It might take some time for them to move on and make new friends, and that's okay.

Take Them on a School Tour

If your kids know how to navigate their new school before their first day, they'll feel less lost when they arrive. If you move during the summer, many schools have an "open house" day before the start of the school year—a perfect opportunity for new students to get a tour and meet some teachers. If this isn't available, contact the principal to arrange a tour.

Register Them for Activities

Some kids might be hesitant to join a team or club at their new school. Encourage your child to register for at least one activity. This is a great way for them to make friends with similar interests and become more known among their peers.

Allow Them to Blend In

Different schools have different trends and styles. If your child expresses interest in new clothes or a hairstyle shortly after moving to a new school, let them get it. Just let them find the look that will make them feel comfortable in their new environment.

Connect with a Teacher

To truly find out how your child is fitting in at school, the best person to ask is their teacher. If you're worried that your kids might not be fitting in as well as they could, ask their teachers for their perspective. Teachers can provide useful feedback on what you or your child could be doing to better adjust.

When Your Adult Child Moves Out

Whether it's for college or their first apartment, helping your young adult move out is a universally difficult experience. Here's how to support them (and yourself) through this transition.

Help Them Budget

Even if your kid is good with money, they can still benefit from guidance. Help them set realistic savings goals and build a budget that fits their lifestyle. Approach it like a financial advisor—ask questions about spending categories, emergency funds, and contingency plans.

Promote Independence Before the Move

If they don't already, they should start buying all their groceries, booking their health appointments, and managing their bank accounts before moving out. If they practice this several months before moving, living alone won't be that major of a change.

Set Rules and Boundaries

Conversations about expectations are tough, but necessary. Discuss financial support boundaries, contingency plans if they lose their apartment, and how often they'll visit home. Clear expectations are important for maintaining a healthy relationship with any adult—including your child.

Moving with children doesn't have to be a stressful experience. By involving them in the process, communicating openly, and making the move fun, you can ease their transition into a new home. If you're planning a move with kids of any age, get your free moving estimate from Two Small Men with Big Hearts—we're here to make your family's move smooth and stress-free!