If you’re moving long distance with young kids and are worried about how they’ll adjust to the relocation, chances are you’re feeling a bit stressed. But while moving is inherently stressful to some degree, having children in tow doesn’t have to make it considerably more taxing — at least not when you’re well-prepared to handle the whole ordeal.
At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we’ve been helping Twin Cities families move long distances for more than a decade, and in that time, we’ve learned a thing or two about navigating a big move with kids. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or worried, we’re here to help.
Read on for our top tips on how to manage a move with young children in tow.
Introduce the Idea of Moving Early
If you want your long-distance relocation to go as smoothly as possible, don’t spring the idea of a move on your kids at the last minute. They need time to adjust to the idea of going somewhere else permanently, especially if they’re in school and have friends they don’t want to leave behind.
If you know you’ll be moving well in advance of your move date (as in, you didn’t get a sudden transfer at work), let your kids know about it well in advance, too. That way, they’ll have several weeks (or hopefully even months) to process the idea of living in a new place.
Highlight the Positives of the Move Often
The younger your kids are, the less information about the relocation you’ll need to share. And if you’re consistently excited about going to a new place, chances are they’ll mirror that excitement.
If you have older kids who have established friend groups and stronger ties to their community, be sure to emphasize all the positive aspects of your upcoming relocation. It can be tough to convince older children that moving is indeed an exciting opportunity. But, if you work diligently to help your kids understand the potential benefits, they may come around faster than you imagine.
Hire a Long-Distance Moving Company
As a parent, you know navigating day-to-day life with young kids can be super chaotic and stressful. And as professional movers, we know that navigating a major move on your own with young children will only multiply the chaos. That’s where we come in.
When you’re making a long-distance move with kids, having a team of professional movers and packers on your side can be invaluable for your mental health (and your kids’ emotional well-being, too). When you let the pros handle the majority of the tasks required for a long-distance relocation, you’ll get to spend more time with your children preparing them mentally and emotionally for the transition.
Arrange Childcare on Move Day
Whether you’re hiring a long-distance moving company or handling the move on your own, getting everything out of your house and onto the truck will be a hectic ordeal. So if you want to keep your kids out of harm’s way, arrange care for them at least a few weeks before your scheduled move day.
If you can’t find a daycare facility that’ll do or don’t know anyone who can watch them on the day of your move, you should at least set aside a room for them to stay in during the loading process. If your kids are really young, consider gating the door, so they don’t end up wandering out and getting underfoot while you work. If you have animal companions, arrange care for them, too. And definitely check out what you should know about moving long-distance with pets.
Let Your Kids Be Part of the Move
Allowing your children to participate in the packing process can help them adjust to the idea of moving. Introducing them to the idea of packing will help them better understand what’s going on and what relocating really implies. Plus, they’ll get an opportunity to feel like they’re lending a hand, and that can make them feel like a special part of the process.
Pack Your Kids’ Rooms Last (and Unpack First)
Kids tend to see their bedrooms as their safe place, so if you can hold off on packing those rooms as long as possible, you’ll help them feel less stressed. It can also be helpful to pack a special bag with your kids’ favorite toys, blankets, coloring books, etc., so they don’t feel like they’re saying goodbye to all of the stuff they love.
When you arrive at your new home, unboxing your kids’ things first can help them feel settled faster. You might be tempted to get the kitchen or bathrooms unpacked, but handling your children’s things first will help minimize stress for them and, in turn, help minimize stress for you.
Check out our top tips on tackling the unpacking process for more helpful ideas that can simplify your move.
Hire Five-Star Long-Distance Movers in the Twin Cities
If you’re planning a long-distance move from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing! We offer a wide variety of professional moving services, including full packing services, custom crating, custom move planning assistance, and much more.
To learn more about our services or get a preliminary moving estimate, give us a call today at 763-755-2045 or request a fast quote online, and we’ll get in touch!