What You Need To Know About Moving Cross-Country With Kids

© Rmarmion

You found a new job in a challenging economy — but your office is in California, not New York. You have two months to pack up the family homestead and get your kids safely across the country. 

How can you manage the multiple matters you must attend without losing your mind? More critically, how can you protect your children? Here are nine tips you need to know when moving cross-country with your kids. 

1. Make a List and Check It Twice

When you arrive in a new state, it can feel as if you teleported to Mars. You may not recognize the names of grocery and convenience stores or know where to find requisite supplies. While these may sound like minor details, they magnify in importance when it’s 3 a.m., and you run out of T.P. 

Make a list of everything you will need when you arrive. Include basic cleaning supplies and toothbrushes — and maybe a corkscrew for a celebratory bottle of vino. 

2. Gather Your Supplies 

Packing takes a ton of materials, and you will waste even more time if you have to run to the store multiple times. Plus, all that carbon from frequent drives isn’t kind to the planet. 

If you have a two-to-three bedroom home, you’ll need at least 45 moving boxes in various sizes and 25 pounds of packing paper. You’ll need ample strapping tape — at least two rolls, possibly more if you struggle with those brutal, finger-gashing dispensers. 

3. Start Packing Early 

You already don’t have much time — avoid the urge to procrastinate. Pick one room to pack each week, starting with those you use less frequently. Discuss which toys to leave untouched with your children instead of assuming that they’ll want their favorite teddy for the truck ride. 

Leave extra time for the bedrooms so that you can get brutal when sorting clothes. When cleaning your closets and drawers, ask yourself the following two questions:

·      Have I worn this in the past year? If you wear a size 16 currently, the chances that you’ll squeeze into those size-2 jeans in two months’ time are nil. 

·      Does it have sentimental value? You probably don’t want to part with your wedding gown. However, the tie-dye you made in 9th grade home economics class can probably get upcycled — by a lucky recipient. 

4. Call in the Troops

Have your in-laws pestered you relentlessly about spending more time with the grandkids? You can use the extra help, so swallow your pride and make the call. 

Likewise, if you helped your friends move in the past, it’s time for them to return the favor. You don’t have to guilt-trip them into it, but do ask if they mind watching your 3-year-old twins for an afternoon so that you can pack dishware without shattering it. 

5. Assuage Your Child’s Fears 

Moving is terrifying for many children. Will they make new friends? Will they like their school? These questions can keep them tossing and turning well past bedtime. 

Take the time to assuage their fears but do so honestly. Instead of promising “everything will be fine,” take the time to listen. Then, work together on a realistic plan — what are some things they can do to meet new people? 

6. Talk to Their New School 

You might have fears about their school, too, particularly in this novel coronavirus era. Pick up the phone and schedule a teleconference with their new teacher, if possible. 

Invite your little one to join in the conversation and ask questions. Try to get a copy of the syllabus and inquire about what supplies your children will need. If you have a little extra, educators appreciate all the additional sanitizer and mask packs they can get — build goodwill off the bat. 

7. Share Floorplans, Pick Bedrooms, Build Excitement 

Hopefully, your experiences as a parent taught you that things don’t always work out the way they do in made-for-TV movies. If you have a floorplan of your new place, select bedrooms before you arrive to avoid sibling rivalry. 

Try to build excitement for the trip by sharing the things you’ll see on your journey. Research your new location online with your kids and identify places you want to visit. Is there an elaborate playground or zoo nearby that they can’t wait to see? 

8. Plan Frequent Rest Stops 

“Are we there yet?” Expect to hear this question — often. 

To minimize frustration while traveling, plan frequent rest stops if possible. Maybe you and your spouse once drove nonstop across the country by swapping drivers when you were childless. Remember how you wanted to bite each other’s head off by your journey’s end? Don’t expect your little ones to exhibit that much patience. 

9. Relax and Create a Family Housewarming Ritual 

As much as you may want to return to normal quickly, moving is one of life’s most stressful experiences. If you can, please take a few additional days to recover and settle in with your family. 

Create a housewarming ritual. If you and your children follow religious practices, you might decide to bless the house or burn sage, depending on your persuasion. If you are more secular, maybe an elaborate meal-delivery order where everyone gets their favorite? 

Moving Cross-Country With Kids? Keep These 9 Tips in Mind 

If you need to move across the country with your little ones in tow, you might feel overwhelmed. Relax — the nine tips above can make the process less daunting.