Supporting Children Through a Family Move

Strategies for helping children navigate the emotional and practical changes of moving to a new home. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Approaching the Transition. Many families find that transparency helps children feel more secure. Sharing news of a move as soon as plans are concrete allows children time to process the information. Parents who involve children in age-appropriate ways—such as letting them pack a box of their own belongings or choose a paint color for their new room—often report that their children feel a greater sense of agency in the process. It is common for children to express their feelings through behavior rather than words. Regression in sleep or potty training, increased irritability, or clinginess are often ways children communicate that they are feeling overwhelmed by the change.
2. Establishing Stability. Maintaining familiar rituals is a cornerstone of helping children feel grounded during a move. Prioritizing consistent bedtime stories, mealtimes, or weekend activities can provide a sense of continuity even when the physical environment is in flux. Some families choose to unpack a child's bedroom first, ensuring their comfort items and familiar layout are recreated quickly to provide a 'home base' in the new space. Exploration is another way to build a sense of belonging. Visiting the new neighborhood, identifying local parks, or finding a favorite new ice cream shop can help transform an unfamiliar location into a place filled with positive associations.