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Ways to Help Your Family Transition to a New Home

Saying goodbye to a home full of memories can be tough—especially when you’re moving with children. Whether you’re moving to a new city or just a new neighborhood, the loss of familiarity for kids can be stressful. Check out this relocation guide—created in partnership with Brittany Hayes of Addison’s Wonderland, Sarah Rhodes of Paro Home, and Summer Hogan of Simple Stylings—offering 14 ways to make moving easier for you and your family!

Talk About Moving with Your Child

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Young children might struggle with the idea of moving homes. To help them better understand, have discussions about relocating so you can explain why the move is necessary, what’s changing and what’ll stay the same, and your moving timeline. Additionally, consider getting and reading children’s books about moving together so you can answer any questions your child might have and help calm any anxieties about being in a new place

Set the Right Attitude

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Focusing on the positive is one of the best ways to deal with the emotional stress of moving. As a family, you can make a list of things to look forward to, such as living in your new home or trying out a local restaurant. If you’re optimistic and relaxed throughout your moving process, your children are more likely to mimic your attitude and be positive, too! To help with this, stay away from the perfectionist mindset. Instead, embrace the chaos of moving and recognize that some things might not go as planned—and that’s okay.

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Involve Your Kids in the Moving Process

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A great tip to make moving easier for kids is involving them in the planning and packing process. Whether it’s packing their favorite toys, learning about the new neighborhood together, or bringing them with you while running errands to prep for the new house—letting your kids have a role in moving can help them feel less nervous about the transition.

Prepare a Checklist

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One of the best ways to prepare for moving homes is to create a moving checklist to help you and your family stay organized. Write down all your goals and break them down into smaller tasks. Whether it’s researching schools in your new area, hiring a moving company, or filing for a change of address, staying on track with your to-do list can help reduce stress on your moving day. Be sure to make note of which tasks your child can help with.

Use Moving as a Chance to Declutter

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Wondering how to make moving easier? View moving as an opportunity to declutter your life, leaving both bad memories and unused items behind. Decluttering your home to sell or donate items that don’t serve your family anymore is a good way to free up space for a fresh start in a new home. It’s also more affordable to move with fewer belongings, since you won’t need as much moving truck space.

Find Closure Before Moving

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One of the hardest things about moving is leaving your current home behind. If you’re wondering how to cope with moving, one approach is finding ways to keep the good memories alive. Find ways for your family to honor your current home, like having your kids write a goodbye letter to the house or simply listing fun memories they have. Or do a craft project together—like creating a scrapbook, collage, or another piece of art featuring photos and other memorabilia from your old house. Make sure to visit all your favorite places together one last time before you move, as well! And if your new place isn’t too far from your old home, reassure your children that they can visit their old neighborhood again.

Practice Self-Care

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Moving with kids is hard, and you may sometimes feel overwhelmed by it. One of the best ways to handle moving stress is to prioritize self-care. This might mean treating yourself to a spa session or dining at a favorite restaurant. Practicing self-care can also look like journaling, taking a few minutes to meditate, watching a favorite show, or working out at the gym. In addition to taking care of your kids’ needs, it’s crucial to take care of your own physical and emotional wellbeing to prevent burnout.

Host a Farewell Party

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Give your family a chance to say goodbye to friends and neighbors in the area by hosting a moving away party. Have everyone sign a picture frame or write fun messages and memories on a poster for you to hang up on the wall in your new home. Or set up a photo booth or camera station where anyone can take photos of the party with an instant-film or disposable camera.

Explore Your New Home & Neighborhood

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When you arrive at your new home, get the kiddos excited by taking your family on a tour of the house. This allows your kids to explore and get the lay of the land, which can help them adjust to their new environment. Then, go on a walk and explore your new neighborhood together. Stop by the local parks, ice cream shops, and even the school your kids will be attending.

Set Up Kids Rooms First

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When you’re settling into your new home, set up their bedrooms and playroom first to get them excited about their new spaces, then gradually work your way through the rest of the house. Let your kids decide how they want to arrange the furniture or decorate their rooms so that the spaces feel special to them. Use favorite toys, mementos, and artwork from their old room to help make the space cozy and familiar.

Plan Something Special for the First Night

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Once moving day is over, reward yourself and your family for completing the move! The first night in your new home, get everyone together in the living room and have a family campout. Order some takeout, watch old home videos or favorite movies, play a game, and talk about all the adventures you’re looking forward to sharing in your new home.

Stick to a Schedule

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Going through a ton of changes all at once can be difficult for the entire family. One way to help your family transition after moving is by getting back to your usual routine. Schedules might change after school and activities have started, but establishing family dinner at the same time or doing the same bedtime routine as you did at the old house can help reduce any uneasiness and bring a sense of familiarity into your new environment.

Get to Know the Neighbors

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Meeting the neighbors is crucial for your family to adjust to your new home and area. Make some cookies, cupcakes, or candies and pack goodie baskets to introduce yourself to your neighbors. Attend neighborhood meetings or host a housewarming party. If they have kids, set up playdates so your children can start making new friends right away. Plus, ask your neighbors for suggestions on the best local restaurants, places to get groceries, and any fun activities nearby.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

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As you’re making new friends, you’ll also want to think about how to deal with moving away from family. Keeping in touch with friends and family back home once you’re at your new place is a great way to ease stress and help your transition to a new home go more smoothly. Talk on the phone or do a video call so you can show them your new space. If you prefer doing something more traditional, suggest writing letters to friends and family, or create a care package or holiday card to mail together. You can even set up a remote game night or movie night with friends!

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Need a temporary storage solution while moving to a new home? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities throughout the U.S. that can help your moving process go smoother. Find self storage for your transition!