Please enjoy the following guest post with tips for moving with children during a school year.
| Elle Wyatt is a blogger and a mom of three who has moved with her kids more than once. She writes from experience and has valuable input on many issues parents are facing on a daily basis. In her free time, she loves hiking and taking short trips with her family. |  |
If moving with children wasn’t difficult enough, try doing that during the school year. Depending on the ages of your kids, it could go both ways. If they are younger, perhaps they will not be as affected by this change. For the kids that have already been in school for a while, this could pose a challenge. They are not only being removed from their home but also from everything they know. And a lot of resistance may come from the fact that they are leaving their friends behind. If you prepare well and ahead of time following our tips for moving with children during a school year, you might just get out of the process unscathed.
Talking to your kids about the move
Once you have decided on moving, dedicate time to get the family together and talk. Plan what you will say carefully and stay calm. Keep in mind that moving can trigger depression in children, and you want to do everything you can to prevent that from happening.
If you are moving with children that are in elementary school
Try to keep the explanations short and to the point. Don’t introduce any additional changes during this period that might disrupt their routine even more. Involve them in the moving process and make it as fun as possible.
If you are moving with children that are in elementary school
Try to keep the explanations short and to the point. Don’t introduce any additional changes during this period that might disrupt their routine even more. Involve them in the moving process and make it as fun as possible.
Involving your little ones in the moving process will make it more fun
If you are moving with teenagers
This age group is known to be more opinionated and rebellious. This is a very vulnerable time in their lives, and moving will undoubtedly create friction. Friendships at this age are extremely important, and there might even be romantic relationships developing. Ensure that you hear them out and let them know that their feelings are important. The move can be a great practice experience for the future changes in their lives, such as leaving for college.
This age group is known to be more opinionated and rebellious. This is a very vulnerable time in their lives, and moving will undoubtedly create friction. Friendships at this age are extremely important, and there might even be romantic relationships developing. Ensure that you hear them out and let them know that their feelings are important. The move can be a great practice experience for the future changes in their lives, such as leaving for college.
Deal with school stuff before moving with children
Along with the emotional component, this will probably be the most time-consuming thing to deal with. There is a lot of paperwork to take care of, and handling the administrative part of things is not fun for most. That’s why it is important to start preparing early in the process when moving with kids. Some basic things that you will need to sort out:
- Organize transferring transcripts from your kids’ current school to the new one. This is standard procedure, and the school should take care of all the details. They should send all the report cards, test scores, and any additional information available.
- You could consider getting notes from teachers. Letters of recommendation or notes on any extracurricular activities could be very helpful for their new school.
- Gather medical records for the new school as well. They will need proof of immunizations and any medical history as well as allergies.
Get your kids excited about the move
When moving with kids during a school year, make sure to foster a positive environment throughout your transition. Always try to highlight the good sides of the moving process, especially regarding their new school. Look it up online and show your kids pictures of the neighborhood. This way, you will help your kids transition to a new school immensely. If you can, take your kids on a tour of the new city, neighborhood, and school. Find cool areas that you know they would like. Discover some nice places to eat, explore parks, malls, and anything that they enjoy. Looking forward to fun, new things to do in their new neighborhood will certainly give the whole ordeal a more optimistic note.
Have a party for your children's friends
Before moving away, organize a get-together so that your children can create some good memories to hold on to. Go all out, take lots of pictures, and make it an unforgettable experience so they can go out on a high. Before you move, arrange for your kids to stay in touch with their friends. They can do video chats or phone calls regularly. If you are not moving too far away, they should be assured that they can still visit each other when possible. Making these plans will give your kids a sense of optimism and something to look forward to.
Make lasting memories with a goodbye party before moving with children
Moving with children long-distance
Moving long-distance with kids takes some serious planning. Even if you have explained everything to the little ones, ensure you are mentally prepared as well. Before you set off on your big mission, make sure you make all the necessary preparations. These could range from snacks and travel games to a change of clothes and medicine. You know best what soothes your children and what keeps them entertained. You should always over-prepare because the last thing you need is a meltdown halfway through the trip. Another useful thing to prepare is a small bag of necessities for your first day at your new home. Get all the toys and blankies in there, pack pajamas and favorite breakfast foods. Finding these individual things in a mountain of boxes is no small feat. Thorough preparation will be your key to success.
After the move
Once you have finally closed the chapter on moving with children during a school year, your job is still not exactly done. You will need to pay close attention to how your kids are adjusting to their new home, especially in their new school. It will take time, and sticking to regular routines will make things easier.
● Organize the kids’ rooms first. All the other rooms can come later as you will have an easier time adjusting. Their rooms are their sanctuaries and will remind them that not everything has changed.
● Give your children time to get used to the new school, teachers, and school friends. Be realistic and expect a tantrum here and there.
● Organize the kids’ rooms first. All the other rooms can come later as you will have an easier time adjusting. Their rooms are their sanctuaries and will remind them that not everything has changed.
● Give your children time to get used to the new school, teachers, and school friends. Be realistic and expect a tantrum here and there.
Encourage your teens to keep in touch with their friends
● To help with the sense of normalcy, you can remind your kids to communicate with their friends as much as possible. They can confide in their friends more than in their parents, especially if they are in their teens. They will feel more supported by them and by you, knowing that you respect their relationships and boundaries.
If you haven’t already read the book, it’s a great place to start - Relationship Reboot: Break free from the bad habits in your relationship.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 17-year-old son, 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old toy poodle.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 17-year-old son, 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old toy poodle.
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