Today I’m sharing 6 of the biggest stress factors when moving home with kids. If you create a list of the most stressful life events, moving homes will likely rank fairly highly. However, moving homes with children, as you can imagine, can increase the demands on both time and patience.
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The Biggest Stress Factors When Moving Home With Kids
As moving home with kids becomes a reality, parents are faced with balancing organising the move with managing the emotional ups and downs kids may experience. And, as you can imagine, the process can feel overwhelming, from tracking belongings to maintaining routines in a changing environment. Kids, especially younger ones, may struggle to understand why things look different and why their favourite toys get packed away. It is likely tears will be shed – by both children and their parents!
Are you about to undertake the challenge of moving to your new home with your children? If so, keep reading as we explore some of the most common stress points parents face when moving with kids and share tips to hopefully make the transition easier!
Financial Stress
Let’s start with, understandably, one of the biggest stress factors of moving home with kids: the cost. Moving house can be expensive, with costs including estate agent fees, stamp duty, surveys, and removals all quickly adding up. When you have children, you might also have to cover additional expenses such as new school uniforms or commuting costs to a new school.
Juggling all these costs can feel overwhelming, which is why you should create a detailed budget for your move, including a contingency fund for unexpected costs. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools and advice for managing the financial aspects of moving home.
If you’re selling a property, be prepared for the process to take several months. It might come as no surprise that the property market can be unpredictable, which means delays are common. As such, having a financial buffer can help you reduce stress if the process of moving home with kids takes longer than expected.
Timing the Move
Timing is everything, especially when it comes to moving homes. In fact, deciding when to move is often one of the most stressful factors when moving home with kids. Although this might seem like an easy choice to make, the timing of the move can have a ripple effect on children’s education and social lives. For example, if you move during the school year, it can disrupt learning and friendships, while a summer move might mean less time to settle before the new school term begins.
When you start planning your move, do so well in advance to help keep stress levels low. Start by looking at the school calendar and identify times when moving home aligns with natural school breaks. Once you’ve found the right time, ensure you communicate with both the current and new schools to ensure a smooth transition for your children. This way, you reduce the interruption the move can cause to your children’s education.
Choosing the Right School
Speaking of school, understandably, you want to send your children to the best possible option. However, finding the right school in a new area can be a significant source of anxiety for parents who are moving home with kids. The UK’s school application process can be complex, with admission criteria and application deadlines varying between local authorities.
So, what should you do? The best place is to start researching schools as soon as you know your new location. Head over to the government’s website, where you can find a school comparison tool that allows you to view performance data and Ofsted ratings. It is worth keeping in mind that the statistics don’t always tell the full story, which is why you should visit schools (if possible) and talk to other parents in the area. This will help you gain a better understanding of the school and the culture.
Another factor worth keeping in mind when looking at schools is that if you’re moving to a different local authority, you may need to apply for a school place outside the usual admission round. Be prepared for the possibility that your preferred school might be full, so have backup options in mind when moving home with kids.
Logistics of Packing
Moving day will come around quicker than you think, which means there will come a point where you can’t delay packing any longer! Of course, packing up your family home can feel like an overwhelming task, one that’s only made more complicated when children are involved. Aside from sorting through the accumulation of possessions you have amassed throughout the years, you also have to try to keep the household running and keep children entertained during the process.
As such, try to start packing well in advance, focusing on one room at a time. If you can, involve children in age-appropriate ways – older kids might pack their own rooms, while younger ones could decorate boxes or sort toys.
Alternatively, consider hiring a professional packing service for part or all of the job when moving home with kids. Of course, this is an extra expense, but it is one that can significantly reduce stress, especially for busy parents.
Setting Up The Kids’ Bedroom
Unpacking can be the best or worst task when it comes to moving. When moving with children, one of the first things that could prove beneficial is creating a comfortable and familiar space for them in your new home. Understandably, sorting this can be stressful for parents as there’s pressure to get it right quickly to help children settle, often while unpacking the rest of the house.
This is why, you should prioritise setting up your children’s bedrooms early in the moving process. If possible, try to recreate elements of their old room to provide a sense of continuity.
Since this is their new room, getting your children into decisions, such as choosing paint colours or where to put furniture, can help them feel more in control. Kids’ bunk beds can be a great option to help children feel happier with the move. Visit the Children’s Bed Shop to browse some great options.
Don’t forget about the practical aspects, too. Ensure the room is safe and age-appropriate to avoid potential accidents that could add more stress to your plate.
Work-Life Balance
Balancing work commitments with the demands of moving and settling children into a new home and school can be extremely stressful for parents. If the move involves a new job or a change in commute, this adds another layer of complexity.
Try negotiating flexibility with your employer around the time of the move. Many UK companies offer flexible working arrangements, which could be particularly helpful during this transition period.
Consider using some annual leave to give yourself time to settle in without the immediate pressure of work. If you’re starting a new job, negotiate a start date that allows you some breathing space after the move.
Moving with children may feel daunting, but with preparation and patience, you can ease the transition and begin this new exciting chapter in your family’s story.
