Parenting Pointers: Moving During the School Year

Did you know that most people buy or sell their home in March and April, which means many families move during the school year? Moving to a new home is exciting, scary, stressful — and everything in between —especially for children. I had the chance to interview James Sharp, an agent at Redfin, a national real estate brokerage, about moving with kids.

Bekah: How can you get your kids involved in the moving process before you've selected a new home?

James: A great way to get your kids involved in the moving process is to include them in your home search.  Looking at potential homes with them and letting them help with the research process is a great way to get them excited about the upcoming move.  If they feel like they helped picked out their new home, then the entire experience will be more positive.

Bekah: What can you do if kids are displaying a lot of negative emotions about the move?

James: If your kids are displaying a lot of negative emotions about moving, the best advice I can give is to be patient. Moving can bring a lot of mixed emotions and when you are a kid, dealing with those emotions can be difficult. Make sure you are providing encouragement and taking time to talk about how they are feeling throughout the process. And as hard as it can be sometimes, don’t forget to stay positive yourself! Your attitude and emotions play a significant role in the entire moving process.

Bekah: Once you've moved, how can you help your kids feel at home more quickly?

James: To make your kids feel at home after the move, try to unpack and get settled in as soon as you can. Even if you can’t get the entire house set-up right away, at least get their room ready so they have some familiarity.  Another easy tip to help them feel more comfortable is to make sure they learn their new address and telephone number as soon as possible.

Bekah: How can you help reassure them about the things they have left behind?

James: If your kids are sad about leaving their house or other things behind, make sure to take lots of photos.  You can even put them together in a book so they can look at the photos whenever they want. When it comes to friends and relationships, I always encouraged my kids to stay in contact.  Weekly phone calls, becoming a pen pal, or even planning a future visit back to your old neighborhood are all great ways to help your kids keep in touch.

In addition, you can view even more tips at Moving During the School Year? 10 Tips to Make It Less Stressful.