Is Your Family Ready For A Cross-Country Move?

Moving is always going to be rough on a family. From finding a new home to packing up the old one, there are so many things that need to be done. And if you’re moving to the other side of the country, the stress just gets worse. After all, it’s not like you can just head back to your old home if you forget something.

Ready For A Cross-Country Move?

That’s why you need to take some steps now to help your family get through the cross-country move. Start by exploring ways to make the move less stressful. Then you can focus on helping your children adjust to their new home and find some friends.

Moving Tips For Less Stress

One of the more stressful parts of moving is when you realize you forgot to do something important. Maybe you didn’t set up utilities in your new home or left medical records in your old home on the other end of the country.

Thankfully, Frugal Mama has a great checklist for moving. In this list of reminders, you’ll find tips like:

• Cancel local services like gyms, child care, and landscaping. Then set these up in your new community.
• Ask your family’s physicians to make copies of medical records. Take them with you when you find a new doctor.
• Inform your current utility companies of what day to end services, and then call utilities in your new community to set the start date as the day you move in.

As for packing, you can make things easier on you by involving your children. They can be anxious about the move, so getting their help in packing and preparing will help them feel some control over the situation. That can reduce their stress.

Helping Your Kids Adjust

Speaking of your kids, any move can be hard on them. They’re not just leaving their friends behind. They’re moving to a completely unfamiliar environment. Moving so far away makes this even more devastating. But what can you do?

Redfin has an excellent list of tips for helping your children adjust to the move.

• Start by having a well-timed and prepared conversation as soon as you know the move is likely. Let your kids experience any negative emotions, and be positive but honest with them.
• If possible, take your kids on a trip to your new community. Show them some fun and exciting places they can explore — once they move there.
• Help your kids say goodbye to friends and places they love. Kids need closure at least as much as adults.

Once you get to your new home, Aha! Parenting recommends setting up your children’s rooms first. This gives your kids a safe, comfortable, and familiar space in case they start to get anxious or disturbed by how everything has changed.

Meeting New People In Your New Community

One of the most traumatic parts for your kids will be losing friends. To further help them adjust well, you need to help them make new friends. Don’t push your kids into meeting people. Instead, create the right opportunities. Visit their school and find local activities for their age such as leagues or park district classes.

Just don’t forget about your needs! If you start making new friends, then your kids will be more likely to do the same. Plus, you deserve to make new connections just as much as they do. Buzzfeed lists a few ways for adults to meet new friends, including:

• Talking to old friends to see if they know anyone in your new city.
• Join a Meetup group and attend some of their gatherings.
• Join leagues or park district classes for adults.
• Volunteer with an organization.

Make This Move Happen The Right Way

While you cannot realistically make a cross-country move completely stress-free, there are many ways to make it easier on your family. Follow a checklist to make sure you do things right. Then help your kids adjust and find new friends. After all, your family comes first.