Moving Without Meltdowns: Teens, Toddlers, & Special Needs Children

Whether you’re changing apartments, moving to a new neighborhood, or are pulling up stakes for a true long distance move, it’s going to impact your children. Small babies are often the easiest to deal with during a household move: while they can’t do anything for themselves, they also generally don’t care too much about their living situation as long as they’re warm, fed, changed regularly, and loved. Teens, toddlers, and children with special needs are another story.

For teenagers, the hardest part of a move can be leaving behind their friends in the neighborhood. Changing schools can be a daunting prospect, and the idea that they have little to no control over the fact the family is moving can create a tense emotional environment. Some teens may be thrilled at the idea of moving, but are less than enthusiastic about getting involved in the hard work of sorting, packing, and moving their things.

Expectation management is key to successfully moving with teens. Clearly communicate schedules, deadlines and other vital moving information to your teens, and be prepared to remind them frequently. Know that you may need time to talk through the upcoming move with your teen, and it is likely that you will need to provide them with extra support through the move. Make a point of ensuring they have enough time for a final get together with their neighborhood friends before leaving: while everyone stays connected on social media these days, it’s still nice to say “See you later” in person.

Toddlers are nature’s way of reminding us what it must be like through a hurricane. They’re always on the go, full of energy, and can create a mess ten times faster than any Mom or Dad can clean it up. The challenges that come with moving with a toddler are far more logistical than emotional. Toddlers are too young to pack their own things: plan on doing it yourself, or have your New York moving company do it.

On the day of your actual move, it is very likely that your toddler will be confused and potentially upset by the sight of movers taking possessions out of their home. A child at this age can’t really understand what’s going on. At the same time, it’s very easy for a small child to slip out through an open door during a move. No one wants a toddler running around the neighborhood without an adult to keep them safe! It’s best if your toddler can stay with a family member, friend, or baby sitter during the move. This keeps them safe and your stress levels down.

Every child with special needs handles moving differently. Parents who proactively reach out to their moving company to address any potential issues ahead of time find it really streamlines the moving process. Moves can be scheduled for a time when the child is in school for example, minimizing the emotional turmoil. Other children with special needs feel happier with the entire process if they’re fully informed of what is going to happen and can be in a position to ‘supervise’ the movers – this alleviates any anxiety they may have about their possessions being packed and moved.  Shleppers is committed to making moves simple and stress free, especially for families who have children with special needs. Let us know what has to happen to make your move easier, and we’ll include that in our plan!