Checklist for Moving Out of State With Your Children

Moving out of state can be daunting, especially when you have children. It’s not just about packing boxes and hiring movers; it’s also about managing emotions, maintaining relationships, and ensuring a smooth transition for your little ones. Below is a helpful checklist for moving out of state with your children. 

Conduct a Family Meeting

Encourage your children to express their feelings and voice any concerns they might have about the big move. For instance, if you’re a divorced mother, your kids may wonder how often they’ll see their other parent. Maintain a dialogue that’s open and age-appropriate so your kids understand the impact of this major change.

During the family meeting, you can also help your kids research the new area and find things to do there. Check out what extracurricular activities your children can join, such as sports teams or clubs. This will help them feel excited about the move and give them something to look forward to. 

Pro Tip

If you’re divorced, ensure your ex knows about the move so you can legally alter the custody arrangement. Hire an attorney for help understanding how to modify court custody orders. 

Create a Memory Book

Collaborate with your children to create a memory book filled with vivid pictures and heartwarming stories from your current home. Create something crafty by making it scrapbook-style. You can use a Cricut machine to cut unique designs from various materials to decorate the pages; while you’re at it, you might consider other simple Cricut projects.

By capturing the essence of your home, this project provides a sense of closure and a lasting tribute to the special place that holds countless memories and stories. Creating a memory book can be especially helpful if this is the only home your kids have ever known since there’s a strong sentimental attachment to the house.

Maintain Friendships

Helping your kids maintain their current friendships is another tip in our checklist for moving out of state with your children, as many fear losing their friends during a move. To alleviate this concern, it can be helpful to proactively collect contact information from their friends’ parents. 

Establish various communication channels with friends back home. For instance, you can set up virtual meetups with their friends or make plans to visit your old town so they can hang out again.

Provide Constant Support

Relocating can be challenging for anyone, but it can feel especially overwhelming for children as it’s often out of their control. They may have to adapt to a new school, make new friends, and adjust to a different neighborhood. Regularly check in with your children to see how they cope with this significant life change. Provide comfort, reassurance, and support throughout this period.

Remember that moving is not just a physical process but an emotional one, too. Following this checklist can ensure a smoother transition for your children and make the experience less stressful for the entire family.