Relocating with Kids: 5 Tips for Getting Settled

My 7 Tips for Relocating with Kids included ways to stay sane and organized during a move.

The funny thing is I wrote that in the midst of packing, just before our state to state relocation.The insanity set in once we arrived at our new yet temporary digs. It was a pretty crazy. We survived.

I learned these tips as we explored our new town each day.

1) Get to know the weather

That may seem silly, but we moved to the desert from sunny and mild California. Yes it’s hot. As much as it annoyed me every time someone told me it was going hot, it was a true fact and we moved in the middle of summer. Summertime in Arizona is not really time for kids to run out play, ride bikes and chill under a shade tree in the middle of the afternoon. They can at the crack of dawn.

Find out about activities in the area prior to your move. It will help get the kids active and acclimated quickly. When my sister moved to the East Coast, she had the opposite weather exchange with the worst snow season in history. Whether it’s hot or cold, people are still active. You may have to change up the routine a bit. Get to know the weather and how people manage it at your new location.

2) Time to start a new schedule
Just like vacation, the schedule will fly out the window when you make the move. The kids’ schedule shifted as soon as we started packing and dismantling our house to prepare for the move. We went from regular bedtime to late nights and sleep-in kind of mornings.

The first week at our new place was a schedule mess. The kids were scared of their rooms. We weren’t used to ours. We got back into the routine within the first two weeks. The kids loved their rooms eventually.

3) Line up the activities
We moved during summer. A good thing for not pulling the kids out of school mid-year. Not so good when we had a 1-month block of time to keep kids busy, plus the 105+ temperature on most days. Luckily we had a pool at our place so the kids enjoyed the swim time and we called it a pool party when we jumped in.

If I had a do-over relocation, I’d set-up a few summer day camps for the kids. A treat for them, a break for me and my hubs.

4) Keep it Fun & Positive
Let’s be real. We all have our moments and moving is stressful. You’ll have moments you just have to make the best of it. Our little ones thought the lightening storms were cool. The town had a lot of new home development so we toured all the models. Going by their new school was exciting. A trip to the local pizza joint was fun. The library was a great distraction and didn’t cost us anything.

If you’re on overload, change up what is stressing everyone out. Go out for a bit. It doesn’t have to cost extra money.

5) Get your hair done!
Find your new salon once you relocate. If you’re in serious need of a mani/pedi or a roots touch-up because the move gave you a few grays, GO! I like to get a cut/color so my locks look good which makes me feel even better.

Moves are tough. Everything is new to everyone in the family, even your pets. There’s no right answer to make it completely smooth and stress free. Give it time. Somehow we always make it through. Hopefully it will be sweet memories in the end and make your dreams come true.

 Any relocation tips you’d like to share with us?