Tips For Moving With Kids

The warm season is primetime for many families to take action and relocate their lives. Whether going across the country or merely across I-25, packing and moving with kids can create a unique set of challenges and considerations. While our last blog looked at tips for moving your pets, today’s installment will focus on tips to help parents with their offspring during a big move. Anyone seeking help from a Top Rated Local® moving company will be more than pleased with the results delivered by Abe Lincoln Movers. Our professional team is here to assist with residential moving in Denver and the Front Range. We strive to deliver the best moving services in the industry, providing customer satisfaction at every phase of the moving process. If you need help relocating your life anywhere along Northern Colorado, contact our home movers for assistance!

Breaking the News

One of the most challenging parts of this process is actually broaching the subject with your children. It will be helpful to collect your kid’s complete attention before calmly explaining the process and what is about to happen. Children are not fans of major change, so this sudden news will need to be delivered with the message that these things happen and that your family will be happier than ever. Acknowledging your little one’s distress and putting in the time to ease the pain can pay big throughout the moving process.

Explain why you’re moving, where you’ll be going, and how long the process will take. It can also be helpful to show them pictures of your new home, take them to the new neighborhood, and introduce them to any new neighbors. The more information you can give your kids, the better they’ll be able to handle the move.

Dad pushing mom and daughter in a moving box

Stick to Your Routine

One of the best ways to help your kids adjust to a move is to stick as closely as possible to your normal routine. If you usually make breakfast together before school, do that in your new home. If you read stories together before bed, keep that up as well. The more normal and familiar you can make things, the easier the transition will be for your kids.

Have a Plan for Moving Day

On moving day itself, it’s important to have a plan in place for your kids. If possible, have a friend or relative take them out for the day so they’re not underfoot while the movers are working. If that’s not an option, make sure to set aside a few toys and activities to keep them occupied. The last thing you want is for your kids to be bored and in the way on moving day.

Preparing in Advance

The time requirements for moving are vast and probably exhausting. When you factor in how long it takes to get you and your child prepared to simply leave the house, it should be clear that packing should be initiated far earlier than you expect. Keeping an eye on your little ones while completing the packing process can be stressful and time-consuming, necessitating the need for additional time. This way, you’ll have adequate space for taking care of both tasks while avoiding much of the associated stress factors.

Exploring the New Hood

One tactic that can help to smooth the stress and frustration for your child is to drive around and explore the new area. From ice cream shops to movie theaters and more, it’s helpful to get your children excited about their new digs. If your kid is old enough, have them look for fun features in the next stopping point in their life. Having an enthusiastic child will prove to be much preferred over the alternative!

Retaining Normal Routines

Much like your pets, your children will begin to stress and fret when major changes start to occur. It’s helpful to retain a routine of normalcy to keep everyone happy. From normal meals to consistent bedtimes and beyond, keeping your house habits in place will do much to retain the stability that your child will be craving.

There are numerous tasks you can undertake to keep your children happy while making your move much more manageable.

Two young kids packing a moving box

Make Packing and Unpacking Fun

Packing up your old home and unpacking in your new one doesn’t have to be a chore. Involve your kids in the process by letting them pack up their own toys or help you unpack the kitchen. You can also make a game out of it by seeing who can pack the most boxes in an hour or who can unpack the fastest. Whatever you do, just make sure your kids are having fun and staying out of your way!

Assembling a Moving Bag

Allowing your offspring to pack their own moving day bag will prove beneficial since the kids will have an important task that makes them feel involved in this major process. As our previous blogs have stated, it’s essential to bring all of the necessities for adults, including phone chargers, contacts, deodorant, and so on. Your kid’s moving bag should include all of the essentials needed on arrival, but unlike your boring collection, theirs should include their choice of toys and books. This way, your child will have everything they need to get settled while the boxes are being unpacked.

When the big day arrives, there are two main paths you can take as a loving parent:

  • Hire a babysitter. Bringing on outside help can be very helpful when you are in the midst of being the field commander throughout the moving process. This can be especially beneficial if your child is too young to lend a hand. Without a sitter, your day will consist of worrying about the kiddo and not focusing on the current task.
  • Hire professional movers. When you bring on our local movers, you’ll be able to focus more on watching your child while our pros do the hard work. When our crew is on site to help, you’ll be able to supply tactical advice for all of your possessions.

During the moving process, you can give your child a task to help with the packing or moving. Getting them involved in smaller tasks can help them to feel included and helpful for the adults.

Arriving at the New House

Once everything is done, it’s time to get your little ones acclimated to their new surroundings. It’s important at this point to take some time to play with your child, such as playing hide and seek. This classic game will be useful in making the house less intimidating, as well as get your little one more familiar with the new layout. Other activities, such as inside camping or a movie night, can also be beneficial for making these weird new settings feel more comfortable.

Moving with children can be stressful, but you can take the steps to ease the transition. Abe Lincoln Movers is here to help with residential moving from Denver to Fort Collins and beyond. Our attention to detail and courteous moving service will ensure that you’re satisfied with the results. If you’re about to move in Colorado, be sure to contact us today for a quote on our top-notch services!