Tips from Realtors: Moving with Children
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Tips from Realtors: Moving with Children
As part of our Tips from Realtors blog series we wanted to let everyone know that moving is very hard on children. They don’t comprehend it like we do, for them it is scary and breeds insecurity. Consider a few of the comments that we here at The Wilding Team, as realtors, have heard over the years…
After his parents told their little boy that the people who looked at their house had just bought it, their five year old boy asked, “will that little boy look after my toys when we leave?”.
“I don’t want to buy this house because I don’t want a pink bedroom!”
“I don’t want to buy this house because nana won’t know where we moved to”
“Yay we’re buying the house with the dog. We’re getting a dog!!”
In order to demystify the home-buying and selling process for your children, you need to explain the process to them. In our thirty years in the industry as realtors we’ve come up with the following great tips on how to handle moving with children:
- Keep your children informed that you’re planning on buying a new home and moving. Don’t go out and buy a house and then tell your kids that you’re moving. Including them in the process will help them understand the process and keep away the tears. They don’t need to see every house that you see but keep them in the loop.
- Before buying a home and moving check the school district and nearby schools to ensure that the school is suitable to your child(ren) and that the school has space for them. Look at the distance, can they walk? Do they need to take a bus?
- If you have very little children, try creating a picture-based scrapbook that photos of their room, yard, bed, etc., then after the move show them how similar the two pictures look. “It is still your home” you can say.
- If they have a schedule that includes extracurricular activities then explain to them that they will still go to ballet and soccer, only the house will change.
- Take them on a drive through the neighbourhood to let them know where their new school will be, where the park is. If you see other neighbourhood kids stop and talk to them.
- Get them excited about the move by offering them something new and exciting. This can be them choosing the colours of their new play room or bedroom, if they’re young perhaps this could be the time to upgrade them to the ‘big boy/girl’s’ bed. If they are getting their own room for the first time be sure to get them excited about it.
- For older children who understand about moving they definitely need to be included in the process. But be sure to not get them excited about a move until everything is locked down and 100% for-sure—otherwise they could get upset.
- Decide what is appropriate your children’s age and maturity level. Strategize before bringing moving up to the kids, and be sure that both parents are on the same page.
- As parents don’t be upset if your children’s reaction to a home isn’t as positive as yours is, you’re further ahead in the thinking process than they are. Instead of getting upset, help them through the process. They are likely only thinking about being far away from their friends and their world.
- If you have older kids be sure to create a schedule with your children’s friends BEFORE you move so that your children know that moving won’t mean leaving their friends.
If you keep your children in mind when moving you will make the process not only stress-free but super fun and exciting for them. Your life will be significantly easier and the home-buying/selling process will be much more fun for mommy and daddy if you think of your children’s thoughts and feelings throughout the process.
Moving with children provides an extra challenge, but it is a breeze when you address it properly. Another important issue to address in addition to moving with children and babies is moving with fur babies! So if you have pets too then check out our great article on Moving With Pets!
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