Moving is quite the experience. There’s no real way to make it a fun time, exactly, but it’s definitely exciting! Of course, the packing and actual work of moving is the hard part, but you can make the change its self a fun, new adventure for everyone!
Find a house with a yard. Kids need room to run, especially when they’re trying to process a big life change like moving. Especially if you’re moving from a more rural area to the city, this can be a lifesaver. City street simply aren’t a safe area to play, and your child might not understand that, so if a fence is an option, get that too! Plus, a yard with a kid is a magnet for other kids. It’ll bring new friends over, and give you a safe place to put them so you can relax a little. Even in the depths of winter, a yard is a lifesaver with kids. After all, there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing!
Find a house with a yard
Look up kid activities first! Local libraries often sponsor activities for children based on age groups, and they’re usually free. Other places try and offer lots of kid-friendly events too, like the YMCA, local gardening groups, school, and sometimes even local government. Libraries are a great place to start, and from there you can just ask people what options there are. Cities are also well-known for kid-friendly museums, where they can race around and pretty much everything is plastic or foam. Most cities are making an effort to be more family friendly, so give them a chance! You might be surprised at how many options are available.
Look up kid activities first
For very young kids, look for mom meet-ups. A mom meet-up might feel a little awkward, but it can really help both kids and parents get some socialization. It’s a fantastic way to get to know people around your neighborhood, which is one of the most difficult things to do when you move to a new place. Moving to a city is different from moving to the country, because people aren’t really interested in getting to know their neighbors, which can make it difficult to make friends. Mom meet-ups aren’t really just for moms, they’re usually for parents in general and their kids. So you have an excuse to take the whole family!
Find all the parks! Parks are the meeting places for kids, moms, dads, and grandparents. Plus they give kids a chance to go out, race around, and entertain themselves while you get to sit down and relax. Kids can make their own friends, or at least playmates, and you’re then coerced into talking to their parents. Meanwhile, the kids have an opportunity to run out all of their stress over the move, plus they have a whole new area to explore! There’s pretty much no end to the benefits kids get from parks, so there’s every reason to take your kids out to one!
Find all the parks
Try and get a pet-friendly apartment. Many families with kids either already have a pet or will want to get one. If you already have a pet, keeping them will provide a friend and bit of comfort for the kids, so it’s really important to do your best to keep your pets with you. Taking the time to look for pet-friendly apartments and getting approval for your particular pet is important, not only for your animals but also for your family. Keep in mind that some places will have limitation on what kinds of pets they’ll allow, such as dog breeds or weights, so make sure to ask!
get a pet-friendly apartment
Look into the options for school. Any move has the chance to be permanent. Even if you’re currently a stay-at-home parent or your kids are too young for school it’s still a good idea to check them out. You may find that it’s the best way to get your child some regular socialization during the depths of winter, or you might find that you actually want to work instead of stay home. Either way, it’s good to already have a feel for the schools in your area. Eventually, your kids will probably need to go, or you might just want them to go. There’s nothing wrong with daycare, preschool, or public school, so if you can and want to send them, do it! Just make sure you know the school well first.
Look into the options for school
Go visit! There’s nothing more nerve wracking than moving to a city you’ve never been to before, and kids feel the same way about it. Do what you can to get your kids used to it first. Try and take a vacation there, or at least take them with you when you’re looking for a place to stay. If they can have some good experiences there before the move, they might actually be excited to live there. That simple change of heart can make the difference between a fun adventure or an apparent punishment.
A move is a big deal for kids
No matter what you do, it’s important to keep in mind that a move is a big deal for kids. It can be hard to handle, especially when they’re old enough to leave some friends behind. Go into it with some sympathy for that, and you’ll find the whole thing is much less of an ordeal.
Kacey Mya Bradley is a lifestyle blogger for “The Drifter Collective.” Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.
The Drifter Collective: An eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us.
https://www.pinterest.com/kaceymya/
