The only thing more stressful than moving is moving with kids. When you have young children, any disruption to their normal routine and environment can trigger meltdowns, tantrums and anxiety. Moving to a new home is one of the most dramatic changes you can make, so while you hope the move will go smoothly; anticipate up to six weeks of adjustments once you arrive. To ease the transition, prepare your child in advance, make it new and exciting, and accommodate their needs.

Preparing in Advance

Very young children won’t understand the discussion of moving, but preschoolers can understand that they will be getting a new room in a new house or apartment. If possible, take your child to see the new home a few weeks before the move and explain that this is going to be their new home. Refer to the new house often, but avoid talking about the home you’re leaving behind. Pack his room discreetly and stay focused on the positives of the new home, not leaving his old room behind.

New and Exciting

When you move, your destination is always new, but you want to be sure the move is new and exciting. If you were able to take your child to see the property in advance, help him pick out his new room and talk about how you should decorate it. It will be a bit extra to pack, but let your child pick out new linens and wall decorations for his room before you move. This way he has something physical, even if they are still in the packaging, to remind him how great his new room is going to be. Be upbeat and rave about the new house in his presence. Save the stress and bickering for after he’s in bed.

Accommodate His Needs

Your child can live anywhere, but he needs your help to adjust. If you have to leave the unpacking until after he’s in bed every night - do it. It’s far better to spend all day with your child helping him feel at ease in the new home than it is to get the pictures on the wall in a matter of days.

Unpack his room first - if you have new decorations, put them up, but be sure to leave the old and comfortable aspects of his prior room in place as well. Favorite pillows or stuffed animals can make a new room less intimidating at night.

Expect a few rough nights as he settles into his new surroundings, especially if he is young. See to his needs and even spend the first night together as a family camping out in your bed or in sleeping bags to make it more exciting as well as to ease the initial trepidation your child might be feeling. You may not get much sleep that night, but you will doze knowing your child feels safe and secure in his new home.