Preparing Your Kids for Moving Day

Many tips for moving give advice about how to handle the transition of utilities, finding a new bank and other relevant "helpful hints". These tips, however, focus more on making the announcement and completion of the move rather than making the move easier on the youngest members of your family. Working with an experienced real estate agent like the ones you'll find with our team in Mansfield ?can help you with everything from finding a home to packing the first box to placing the last houseplant. 

Be Ready for Anger

No matter how gently you break the news, your kids may feel some anger, maybe even as though you've betrayed them. Of course, as an adult, you understand that it's not always possible to rule by committee. Some decisions must necessarily be made without input from the younger family members; that can be tough to accept.

Some tips for moving urge waiting as long as possible to tell your kids, but this can backfire badly. Even if they can't be part of the decision-making process, you can still help them feel included in the preparations for the move.

Make Plans for Staying in Touch

Before breaking the news, give some thought to how you'll help them stay in touch with friends and family. Consider:

• Social media accounts – Especially for older kids, social media can be an excellent way to keep in touch with friends at a different school or relatives in another town.
• Cell or home phones – Cell phones and landlines continue to be an effective and (generally) low-cost option for communication.
• Skype – Available for chat, video and voice interactions, Skype or other internet-based communication apps can give you an easy way to keep friends and family as close as a mouse click.
• Stationery set – Older relatives may especially appreciate a hand-written letter once in a while. Give your kids a stationery set that includes fancy paper, stamps, nice pens, an address book and envelopes to encourage them to write letters the old-fashioned way.

Having a plan for keeping in touch can go a long way toward soothing fears about leaving familiar faces and places behind.

Do Your Homework

As with many other tips about moving, there's an element of homework to making a move easier on your children. Be prepared to tell them:

• About their new school – Find out which school they'll be attending and, if possible, check it out online together.
• The expected date of the move – Be as accurate as possible about when changes will take place, including the last day at their old school, which night will be the last in their old home, and when they'll start their new school.
• Kid-friendly venues – Especially if you're moving to a new town or state, it's important to give your kids an idea of what they can expect to find once they get there. Get information about local pools, parks, popular "hang-out" spots and any other activities and attractions that might appeal to your children.

Many kids feel more at ease when they have an idea of what to expect. But remember, the promises and proclamations you make now will be filed away for future reference. Don't promise extravagant outings or frequent trips to visit old friends unless you're willing and able to make them happen.

Moving Made Easy

At Haring Realty we know even the best tips for moving can't always make things easier on your children.  When you're ready to move to the Mansfield, Ohio area, contact us. Our REALTORS® in Mansfield are ready to help you find the perfect home for your family. Our team of real estate professionals offers a wealth of information regarding relocating to Mansfield to help make your move as smooth as possible.  We're looking forward to hearing from you.