Talk about the move early
Children cope with a move better when it does not come as a surprise. Tell them as soon as the move is certain, in words that fit their age. Younger children want to know where they will sleep and whether their toys are coming. Older children worry about friends, school and leaving familiar places.
Be honest about what will change and what will stay the same. If you can, show them photos of the new home, the new neighbourhood or the route to the new school.
Give them a part in it
- Let children pack a box of their own things and decorate or label it.
- Ask them to choose a few favourite items that travel with the family, not in the truck.
- Involve older children in planning their new room.
- Make a list together of places to visit in the new area.
Plan moving day around the children
Moving day is busy and noisy, with heavy furniture moving through doorways and stairs. It is safer and calmer for young children to be somewhere else for the day, with a relative, a friend or a sitter. If they must be at home, set up one quiet room with snacks, games and a door that stays closed, and keep them away from the path between the rooms and the truck.
Keep pets out of the way too. An open front door and a busy crew are the moment pets slip out.
The first-night bag
Pack a bag for each child that travels in your car, so the first night in the new home feels normal:
- Pyjamas, a change of clothes and toothbrushes.
- A favourite blanket, stuffed toy or pillow.
- Chargers, a tablet or books, and a few small games.
- Any medication, with the dosing information.
- Snacks and drinks.
Set up their rooms first
Ask the crew to bring children's furniture and boxes in early and to place them in the right rooms. Labelling those boxes clearly with the room name makes this easy. Basic reassembly of standard furniture such as beds is included when it is reasonably required and within the booked scope, so a child's bed can be ready on the first night.
Unpack the children's rooms before the rest of the house. A familiar bed, the same bedding and their own things on the shelves help a new room feel like theirs.
Timing the move
If you have a choice, moving during a school break avoids changing schools mid-term, but summer is also when moving dates are most in demand, so book earlier. Weekday moves can mean the children are at school during the busiest hours. Whatever you choose, keep routines such as meals and bedtimes as normal as possible in the days around the move.
For the full timeline of tasks, use the week-by-week moving checklist, and see residential moving for how FleetGo plans family moves. When your dates are set, request a free quote.