Did you know moving is on the top 10 list of the most stressful life events? But when you have kids, it makes things more challenging. 

Whether buying or selling a home, your child is leaving the only home they have known.

It is undoubtedly overwhelming to them to say goodbye to their friends and possibly be nervous about moving to a new school. 

Nobody likes to be the new kid on the block.

We know it’s hard. But don’t be discouraged. There are ways to make moving with kids easier.

Here are 10 tips to prepare your child for the move that will ease their stress and provide more fun.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 tips below.

1. Bringing Kids to Showings: The Open House

Bringing your kids with you to an open house to look at possible new homes to buy is different depending on the age.

It can go both ways. Good or bad. 

On one hand, if your child is under the age of 3, they will need to be carried and need constant attention and supervision. 

Because they are not old enough to even know what is happening, it might be best to leave them behind so you can talk and look without distractions or meltdowns.

However, if your child is over the age of 3, it is recommended that you try to bring them with you. Taking kids to look at prospective homes includes them in the moving process. This helps take some of the fear, worry, and confusion away. 

Tip: Buy a few coloring books and paper. Make it fun like a scavenger hunt. Let the kids count how many doors are in the house. 

Ask them what their favorite room is. Let them explore outside and see how many trees are around. Give them a reward for good behavior.

2. When Packing, Resist the Urge to Throw out All of Your Kid’s old unused toys.

Let’s Be Honest. 

One of the first things we do before packing to move is declutter, throw away, and donate. Nobody wants to carry anything extra they don’t have to. 

So purge away!

But NEVER purge your kid’s belongings. This can be devastating to the child.

Instead, ask your children to help you prepare for packing by separating their toys into three piles. 

• Pile 1 comes with them to the new house. 
• Pile 2 is for donating to a local shelter or community center
• Pile 3 is only for those toys that they understand are beyond repair,

         and for safety’s sake, it should be tossed away.

Tip: Allowing your child to decide what to do with their worn toys provides them a feeling of control in a situation out of their control.

3. Involve Your Kids in Deciding How to Decorate Their New Bedrooms Before They Move in

One way to get your child excited about the new move is to let them look online or go shopping for items for their new room. Things that will excite them will give them something else to focus on besides the unrest.

Some things to have them look for are:

• New bedding or even a new bed
• What color paint do they want on their walls
• Pictures to hang on the wall
• New toys
• New games

Basically, whatever excites your child is what you want them to look for.

Tip: Be prepared to buy things that will comfort your child. You might even want to throw a goodbye party.

Above all, keep the communication lines open — before, during, and after the move. Depending on the child, it can take anywhere from a few days to many months to adjust to their new surroundings.

Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty-Barb Has The Buyers have a team of agents who have worked with families like yours who are going through the same thing right now. 

While you are looking to buy or sell your home, we can help you with the entire process. Call us at 719-301-1802 or contact us for a free no-obligation consultation and start packing!

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