Moving With Kids
Supporting Big Feelings During Big CHanges
Moving to a new home can be one of the most stressful experiences for families. For children, it often means leaving behind familiar places, routines, and friends. It is no surprise that many kids feel upset, anxious, or resistant when faced with a move. While parents are juggling logistics, kids are processing a major life transition. Supporting your child’s emotional health during a move is just as important as packing the boxes.
The Emotional Impact of Moving
Research shows that frequent moves can impact a child’s sense of stability, well-being, and even their academic performance. Kids may struggle with saying goodbye to friends, adjusting to new schools, or managing the uncertainty of what comes next. Younger children might show regression in behavior or clinginess, while older kids and preteens may feel sadness, anger, or social anxiety about starting over. These reactions are normal, but they can be tough to navigate.
How Parents Can Support Kids During a Move
There are several ways to ease the stress and help children feel more secure during this transition:
Acknowledge Their Feelings: Let your child express sadness, frustration, or worry. Validating their emotions helps them feel heard.
Keep Routines Consistent: Familiar routines around meals, bedtime, and family rituals create a sense of safety when everything else feels new.
Get Them Involved: Allow kids to help pack, choose decorations for their new room, or explore fun things about the new neighborhood.
Stay Connected: Encourage your child to keep in touch with old friends while building new connections.
Highlight the Positives: Share what you are excited about in the new home or community, while also acknowledging the challenges.
When to Consider Play Therapy
Sometimes, the stress of moving lingers longer than expected. If your child shows ongoing anxiety, behavioral problems, or struggles to adjust socially or emotionally, it may be helpful to seek play therapy. As a play therapist in San Luis Obispo, I work with children on the Central Coast who are navigating big life changes. Play therapy gives kids a safe space to process feelings, build coping skills, and regain a sense of stability.
Final Thoughts
Moving is not easy for children, but with patience, empathy, and consistent support, they can adapt and even thrive in their new environment. Helping them navigate the emotional side of moving is one of the best ways parents can set them up for success. If your child continues to struggle, seeking child therapy can make the transition smoother and help them feel more confident in their new chapter.
References
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2019). Children and family moves. AACAP. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Family-Moves-014.aspx
American Psychological Association. (2010). Frequent family moves can increase children’s risk of poor well-being. APA. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/06/moving-well-being
Child Mind Institute. (n.d.). Advice for moving with children. https://childmind.org/article/advice-for-moving-with-children/
Evidence Based Mentoring. (2016). How to reduce stress when moving with kids. https://www.evidencebasedmentoring.org/how-to-reduce-stress-when-moving-with-kids/
Flora, C. (2016). Moving to a new town: The impact on kids. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/this-is-where-you-belong/201605/moving-to-a-new-town-the-impact-on-kids
Thriveworks. (2021). Moving is tough on kids: The impact on mental health. https://thriveworks.com/blog/moving-tough-kids-impact-mental-health/
