4 Things to Know Before Moving With Kids
Moving with kids can be challenging. Between the chaos of normal life, the uncertainties, the endless questions, and the actual move itself, you’ve got a lot to manage. To make it through, you need to be flexible and able to handle breakdowns and unexpected situations. But it’s not impossible. A little knowledge and a well-thought-out plan will help make your move stress-free.
1. Where you move matters
While kids are said to be resilient, that doesn’t mean they’ll adapt equally to any random environment. It’s important to move to a location where your kids can thrive. For example, moving to a walkable neighborhood is an excellent way to keep your kids entertained and getting regular exercise. When you can take a walk to get snacks, see a movie, or browse shops, it will help them burn off excess energy so they’ll sleep better and feel better throughout the day.
According to one study, adults who live in walkable neighborhoods are 1.5 times more likely to engage in physical activity. Walking is important when you spend most of the day sitting down at a desk, but your kids need exercise, too. When you include your kids in your walks, you’re helping them form healthy habits at a young age. But some kids don’t like walking, and that’s why location matters.
The cooler the neighborhood, the easier it is to get your kids out the door and moving. Families that relocate to historic neighborhoods with cool amenities, like Ybor City in Florida, find adventure in ordinary outings. Sure, driving is faster, but walking encourages curiosity and makes you appreciate your community more. Between live music, the TECOline Streetcar System, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, great food, and video games at GameTime, living in a spot like Ybor City can be a blast.
2. Toddlers will have random meltdowns
No matter how thorough your checklist is, you’ll be blindsided by the way your toddler has random meltdowns over things that don’t always make sense. For example, some kids sob for hours over leaving the mailbox behind. It’s because kids connect items to their sense of security and identity. When familiar things disappear, they can experience real grief. Here’s what to be aware of:
· The loss of permanent fixtures can hit kids emotionally. Whether it’s a wall, a light switch, a mailbox, or a door, losing permanent fixtures can be emotional. It sounds silly, but take photos of anything they show attachment to.
· Don’t put favorite toys on the moving truck. If your child’s favorite plushie is on the moving truck, they might have a meltdown that not even McDonald’s can cure. Keep a bag full of essentials in the car and include their favorite toys.
· Unpack your kids’ rooms the first night. Some kids don’t do well with an empty bedroom their first night in a new house.Unpack your kid’s room first so they at least have some familiar comforts, like their pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. It will help them settle in better.
· Expect setbacks. It’s possible and even likely that your child might experience regression, like wetting the bed or being clingy when you move. It’s just a stress response, so be extra patient.
3. Accurate box labels are essential
While you might be perfectly okay with digging through general “bedroom” and “living room” boxes, your kids will likely have a different experience. They’ll probably want to know exactly what’s in each of their boxes so they can find what they’re looking for without committing to unpacking every box. For example, they might have a favorite book or art supplies they want to dig out on the first night. Make it easy to find and you’ll avoid some tantrums.
4. Say yes to fast food and screen time
Under normal circumstances, it makes sense to limit screen time and Happy Meals, but make an exception when you’re moving. The process will be stressful enough. Your life will be easier if you let your kids relax with their tablet and get takeout for meals until you’re set up to cook. By around day three, you’ll be back to cooking healthy meals and will start to establish a new routine.
Expect the unexpected
You can expect delays and meltdowns, and you’ll almost certainly forget something important, but everything will work out anyway. Moving with kids doesn’t have to mean losing your mind, but it does require planning ahead to avoid the chaos. Just don’t fall into the trap of trying to maintain your regular routine the whole way there. The more flexible you are, the easier your move will be.
