Moving with Children: What to Consider to Avoid Chaos

Moving to a new house, and it’s one of the most stressful experiences in life, even without children! But don’t panic: with the right approach, thoughtful plans, and executing the appropriate steps, relocating with kids can actually be a positive family adventure—one full of exploration, fun, and adventure, as opposed to chaotic outbursts, or misplaced plushies.

Hiring a Full-Service Moving Company: A Game-Changer for Families

Planning the Move
- Moving with children requires careful planning and consideration.
- One major decision is whether to hire professional movers or handle the move yourself.
Why Choose a Full-Service Moving Company
- A full-service moving company is ideal when you want to minimize chaos for the family.
- These companies:
  - Provide packing materials
  - Expertly pack your belongings
  - Load, transport, and set up your furniture at the new home
- This allows you to focus on your family and more important tasks during the move.
Choosing the Right Movers for Families
- Look for companies that specialize in working with families.
- Ask how they handle:
  - Children’s rooms
  - Kids’ treasured belongings
- Some movers offer kid-friendly unpacking options to:
  - Prioritize children’s spaces
  - Help kids settle in faster
Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers
- Professionals bring order and efficiency that DIY moves often lack.
- For families, time is crucial—the faster the house is move-in ready, the better.
- Investing in full-service movers can lead to:
  - Less stress for the family
  - A smoother and faster move overall

Settling In: The First Weeks in Your New Home

Prioritize Children’s Spaces

Setting up the children’s bedrooms should be at the top of your priorities. Having the other spaces organized with themed furniture greatly helps children adjust to the new home. Having the kids’ rooms ready allows the family to bypass a lot of stress. Schedule an outing to get to know each other’s new area. Identify local parks, libraries, ice cream shops, or any other places of interest to kids. Such visits help in building a favorable image of the neighborhood alongside enhancing their sense of belonging.

Explore Together

Sustain some form of interaction with friends from your previous location through video calls, letters, or, if possible, in-person visits. Pursue potentially building new social connections interactively through local hobbies, community gatherings, or with children living nearby.

Maintain Connections

Help children maintain ties to friends from your previous home through video calls, letters, or visits when possible. Simultaneously, look for opportunities to build new connections through local activities, community events, or introductions to neighbor children.

Expect Adjustment Challenges

Be ready to address possible behavioral regressions or changes. Toddlers may regress to using baby talk, school-age children might struggle with basic tasks, and teens may withdraw socially. These responses should be understood with compassion; they are a reasonable response to change.