6 Ways to Help Your Family Transition to a New Home

Transition to a New Home
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Moving a whole family to a new home after selling a beloved house can be tough since often there are varying levels of excitement about the move throughout the family. Even if the job or family nearby that drew you to the new home is a good draw, children and spouses may or may not be instantly “on board.” Here are six ways to make the transition to a new home smoother for your family.

Talk It Over Ahead of Time

As soon as you know what is happening, call a family meeting to talk over the changes. Of course, it’s smart to think through what is negotiable and what isn’t before you introduce the issue so that your family doesn’t spend time trying to change something if you’re not really asking for input. This gives them the longest amount of time to adjust and make the change on their own. 

Use It As a Chance to Remove Unneeded Stuff

While you probably don’t want to instantly demand a donation pile or yard sale pile from every family member, once everyone gets used to the idea, it can be a good time to turn over a new leaf and get rid of old things you don’t need. It’s a great time to get rid of children’s items that even your youngest won’t use anymore, for instance, and to get rid of extra furniture that isn’t in use. 

Transition to a New Home
Image by FreePik

Offer New Opportunities as You Find Them

If you have one or more family members who are reluctant to move, look for ways to make the new move a good thing, whether it is a new extracurricular activity that is available or the potential for a hiking trip or shopping trip that wasn’t available before. 


Infographic provided by Careful Movers, a go to company for long distance moving services

Start a Best Things Map for Your New Area

When you arrive, start a map of the area around your new home so that your family can add new good places to go for a walk with your dog, new playgrounds, new coffee shops, or anything else that the family enjoys doing together. This map can show that you are settling in and getting to know the area. 

Suggest Ways to Stay Connected to Old Friends

The goal, even if you’re moving far away, is not to forget the old house, so make one of the transition steps a conversation about staying connected. Whether you work with your children to set up Zoom or online gaming “dates” with their friends or just make time to call and text, don’t let the move be the loss of connection.

Give a Decorating Budget or Share Decision-Making

As the family gets settled into the new home, it can help to give each member of the family a modest budget for posters, wall art, or other decorative touches that can make the home their own. If you don’t want to do much decorative purchasing right now, ask them things like paint colors and furniture location so that they feel included and involved. 

With the right agent getting you into a home that really works for you, and the process of selling your home behind you, your family has the opportunity to transition to a new home well. 

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