Moving With Kids Archives - NJ Movers and Storage Company

Even if you’re excited for your upcoming relocation to New Jersey, a move can leave you feeling dispirited, especially if you’re moving to a completely new city. After all, you’ll be leaving behind your old friends and, if you’re moving away from home, your family members. So if you’re feeling depressed because of all these changes, you’re not alone.

Almost every major life event, no matter how positive, can lead to a period of upheaval. What matters are the steps you take to ensure these negative emotions don’t affect your overall mental health and wellness. That’s why we have compiled a list of tips and tricks to keep you on track and feeling good.

What is Relocation Depression

While it’s not a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5 manual, relocation depression, also known as adjustment disorder, is very real, and its effects vary greatly between people. For many, the disruption to their routine, as well as the anxiety associated with a move, can lead to temporary sadness. Depending on how far you’re moving, it can mean losing your support network, feelings of isolation, and dealing with culture shock. Other causes of relocation depression include:

Physical and mental exhaustion from the move
Uncertainty about the future
Increased financial burden
New job or career
Underlying mental health issues

These emotions are felt even strongly in children who thrive on routine and familiarity. While many children thrive in their new environment, others might have difficulty fitting in or making friends. Studies show that frequent moves during childhood can lead to poor mental health later in life.

Suffering from relocation depression isn’t limited to younger people. Many senior citizens experience the same effects, especially when they are moved into senior care facilities. After all, they are being moved out of their home, which they might have lived in for decades, with many requiring some kind of aid from complete strangers.

Symptoms of Relocation Depression

Not everyone experiences relocation depression the same way, but there are a few things you should look out for, including:

Changes in your sleep, whether that’s sleeping more or less than usual
Feeling irritable
Change in appetite
Lack of interest in your regular activities
Overall sadness
Difficulty completing tasks
Loss of interest in socializing
Difficulty concentrating

Common Symptoms of Relocation Depression

Symptom	Description	Common Signs
Sleep Changes	Stress during relocation can disrupt your sleep, leading to sleeping too much or too little.	Trouble falling asleep Oversleeping Waking up frequently
Appetite Changes	Emotional stress can increase or decrease appetite during the adjustment period.	Skipping meals Emotional eating Reduced interest in food
Irritability	Major life changes can make it easier to become irritated or overwhelmed.	Short temper Easily annoyed Low tolerance for stress
Lack of Motivation	You may struggle to start tasks or lose interest in normal activities.	Avoiding chores Difficulty starting routines Low productivity
Social Withdrawal	You may begin distancing yourself from others while coping with the move.	Avoiding calls Not meeting neighbors Declining invitations

Unsurprisingly, these are similar to clinical depression. The difference is that adjustment disorder is temporary and should go away as you get settled. Still, the symptoms can persist long after your move if you don’t find ways to address them. It is especially easy to let these feelings persist if you have feelings of regret or start doubting your ability to adapt.

Coping with Relocation Depression

Over time, you should find it easier to get used to your new life in New Jersey, but adjusting to these changes can still be challenging. You might even feel pressured to put on a brave face for your children, and especially at your new job. However, your best bet is to confront the issue and find ways to handle these changes. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make the transition to your NJ home easier.

Familiarize Yourself With Your New Neighborhood

If you’ve moved to a new city in New Jersey or are coming from out of state, take some time after your move to explore your surroundings. Look up local tourist attractions or events happening in your town or in the surrounding areas. You should also find ways to meet new friends, whether through activity groups or even volunteering.

Make Your Home Comfortable

Don’t take too long unpacking your things. While you might want to procrastinate for a few days, try to unpack as much as possible in the first week. The very act of cleaning and organizing your things can help reduce your anxiety and increase your overall comfort levels. Plus, unpacking can also help make you feel more productive, which can then carry over to other parts of your life.

While you should unpack the essential boxes first, don’t neglect decorating your new place. Take some time to go to a local hardware or paint store with your family and choose some colors for a few of the communal rooms. If you have kids, let them choose what color they want their room to be and maybe even pick a few stencils. Of course, you don’t have to paint if you don’t want to. However, you should take some time to add a few decorations around the house to make it feel more lived in. If you don’t have many, consider purchasing a few items such as:

Candles
Wall art
Throw pillows
Curtains
Photos of friends and family

Don’t forget to set up a space in your house where you can relax. It might be a reading nook or even just a cushy sofa. Whatever the case, you want a place where you can enjoy some quiet time.

NJ Relocation Coping Tips

Coping Strategy	How It Helps	Examples
Familiarize Yourself with Your New Neighborhood	Reduces uncertainty and helps you feel more connected and confident in your new environment.	Explore attractions • Attend events • Join activity groups • Volunteer
Make Your Home Comfortable	Creates stability, reduces anxiety, and makes your new home feel safe and familiar.	Unpack essentials • Add décor • Set up a relaxation space
Practice Self-Care	Supports mental health, boosts mood, and prevents emotional burnout during the adjustment period.	Journaling • Yoga • Meditation • Exercise • Music • Showers • Hobbies
Throw a Housewarming Party	Helps build social connections, reduces loneliness, and celebrates your fresh start.	Invite neighbors & friends • Keep it casual • Ask guests to bring food or drinks
Fall Back into Your Routine	Adds normalcy, reduces overwhelm, and helps adults, kids, and pets adjust smoothly.	Morning walks • Gym/yoga • Kids’ bedtime & dinner schedule • Family traditions

Practice Self-Care

With all the excitement of moving, it’s easy to focus on the tasks at hand and push your own needs to the side. However, that’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, carve out some time in your calendar for some self-care activities that you know will put you in a better mood. Some potential ideas include:

Journaling
Yoga
Meditation
Taking a shower
Enjoying a hobby
Exercising
Listening to music
Enjoying your favorite snack or meal

Some of these activities only take a few minutes, so you won’t fall too far behind schedule. Plus, a happier and relaxed will make you even more productive!

Throw a Party

After a big move, it’s common for folks to throw a housewarming party. Not only is it a great way to get to know your neighbors, but it’s also a way for you to celebrate a new beginning in your life! Invite over any friends or family who live in the area, as well as your neighbors. You don’t need to throw a huge party. In fact, you should try to keep it as low-key as possible to reduce stress. Ask folks to bring something to the party, whether it’s food or drinks. After that, spend a few hours chatting and relaxing.

Another benefit of a housewarming party is that it motivates you to finish unpacking and cleaning. It’s also a great excuse to decorate and use your new kitchen!

Fall Back into Your Routine

It’s important to have a routine, especially in the midst of a life-changing event like a big move! This is true of you as an adult, your kids, and even your pets. A routine helps add normalcy to your life and allows you to get back in a comfortable groove. With that said, moving means even your old routines get a makeover since you’ll be in a new location. That 30-minute morning walk with your dog is now an adventure to explore different parts of your neighborhood. The same with going to the gym or a yoga studio. Plus, you’ll also get to meet other people who might end up becoming your friends.

As for the kids, make sure you keep them on the same schedule of dinner and bedtime. For the first few weeks, cook family favorites. If you have young children, make sure to read their favorite bedtime stories. School-aged children might need to make some adjustments when it comes to what time they wake up, especially if the school is further away. Still, you should bring over as many traditions/schedules as possible so the move isn’t too jarring for them.

Make Your Move Easier!

If you’ve already found your dream home, you can make the next chapter in your life a lot easier by hiring professional NJ movers like us! At NJ Great Movers, we can help with packing and unpacking in addition to our standard moving services. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll provide more information!

FAQ

Should I take medication for my relocation depression?

It’s normal to feel a bit depressed after a big move, so you shouldn’t need medication to handle it. Following the tips above should help with the transition. Still, if you are finding yourself still depressed months after a move, you should find a therapist and discuss some options with them.

How long should relocation depression last?

There’s no set time for how long relocation depression lasts, but you’ll feel the most depressed in the first week or so. After that, symptoms should decrease.

Moving is already complicated. When you add kids to the mix, it can be downright harrowing, regardless of how old they are. Whether you have a toddler, tween, or teenager, moving can be emotionally draining on everyone, regardless of whether you’re moving across the country or the next town over. Luckily, there are a couple of steps you can take to make the move easier on your kids. Of course, every child and family situation is different, but the following tips can make relocating easier for the entire family.

Talk to Your Kids About Moving for a Smooth Transition

Unless your child is still a baby, you should have an age-appropriate conversation with them to explain why you’re moving. Toddlers might not need to know all the details, but they should still be informed. Maybe you’re moving for work, or perhaps you’re moving to be closer to friends and family. Whatever the reason, it’s better to let them know as soon as possible. After all, children seem to have a sixth sense when the household vibe shifts. Plus, it will be difficult to hide things like packing supplies and moving boxes!

Kids’ Involvement Checklist

Task #	Task Description	Age Group	Time Needed	Notes
1	Pack toys	1–5	30–60 min	Supervise toddlers
2	Choose bedroom decor	6–12	1–2 hrs	Include shopping trips
3	Pack own room	10–18	1–3 hrs	Teenagers can do things independently
4	Research a new school	6–18	2–4 hrs	Create a school profile
5	Explore neighborhood	All	1–2 hrs	Find parks, clubs, and activities

At your next family meeting, include the topic of moving on the agenda. Moving is a big change for kids, especially if they’re already in school, so they might need some time to absorb the news and process the information. Try to give them a bit of space in the beginning, as their entire world has just changed. Some kids might take the news in stride, of course, but make sure to check in periodically during the days leading up to the move to make sure they’re okay.

Get Everyone Involved for a Smoother Move

Sure, your kids might not be able to veto the move, but they can at least be involved in the process. Whether you’ve already closed on a new home or not, there are plenty of ways you can get them involved in the process. This will give them a sense of empowerment and make the move more attractive as they’ll be helping with the decision. Of course, their level of involvement depends on their age and their enthusiasm. However, even if they’re not particularly excited about a move, you can still get them involved by doing the following:

Give them a vote when looking for a new home. They might not want to spend days looking at homes in person, but many will be more than happy to look at online photos and point out specific amenities they want, like their own bedroom, a backyard, a pool, etc. Take their opinions into consideration when making your final choice.
Take them on shopping trips. While younger kids might not enjoy trips to the hardware store, they may like going shopping for fun stuff like decorations, new furniture, and the like. You can also help them decide on the look of their new bedroom by choosing paint colors, pillowcases, toys, etc.
Let them pack their room. Giving your kids ownership of their part of the move can help them feel like part of the process. Of course, the tasks you give them should be age-appropriate. For toddlers, you might simply ask them to pack their toys in boxes. Teenagers, on the other hand, can pack their room by themselves.

Research New Schools Early

Switching schools is a big deal for kids. They’ll have to make new friends, deal with new teachers, and figure out the rules of the new school. It’s one of the biggest changes for your kid, and the older they are, the harder the transition can be. While your child will likely feel anxious regardless of how much research you do, the more they know, the better! Compile a little report of everything you know about the school and include things like photos, school mascot, colors, extracurricular activities, distance from your new house, etc. For yourself, you should also see if there’s a parent group for the schools where you can ask questions about bullying, school policies, and so on.

After you’ve done that, see if you can schedule some time before the move for an orientation. While you can’t control when you need to make a move, you would ideally move during the summer to avoid a mid-year transfer. That way, your child can also check out the school during the summer and potentially get a walk-through from the guidance counselor, principal, or vice principal, and get any lingering questions they might have answered.

Check Out the New Neighborhood

If you’re moving for work, see if you can negotiate a visit to the new area as part of your relocation package and take your child(ren) along. You can use this time to explore the neighborhood and find kid-friendly places such as parks, playgrounds, nearby restaurants, and so on. If your child is younger, going to a park or playground is a great way for you and your child to make new friends.

Pre-Move Neighborhood Exploration Checklist

#	Place / Activity	Age Group	Time to Visit	Benefit
1	Local park/playground	1–10	30–60 min	Make friends, physical activity
2	Nearby sports club	8–18	1 hr	Social engagement
3	Library	6–18	30–45 min	Study resources, reading programs
4	Ice cream / favorite spots	All	30 min	Comfort, treat for kids
5	Orientation at school	6–18	1–2 hrs	Familiarity with teachers and the environment

For tweens and teens, your best bet is to look for locations and clubs that match their interests. Many towns have a local 4-H club where kids of all ages can work together to complete various projects in the fields of health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement. For more active kids, go to a recreational field and see if there’s an open game they might be able to join. Many places have more informal youth sports activities.

Ultimately, the more familiar you get with the area, the more your child will feel at home when you make the move. Plus, it will also help you out when you move, as you’ll know where all their favorite places are!

Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Ensure a Stress-Free Move

There’s nothing worse than having to rush through the moving process, and it can be overwhelming even as an adult. Imagine what it must feel like for a child or teenager having their whole world turned upside down in a couple of weeks! In order to avoid emotional turbulence and tantrums, take the move slowly. If you’re moving for work, see if you can get two months to move. This way, you don’t have to cram everything into a single month and, instead, can do a little bit every day. It will also give your child time to adjust and get used to the idea of moving to a new place.

If you really want to save time, you should hire professional movers. If you’re moving to or from NJ, there are dozens of options to choose from, but you should always look up reviews to find movers NJ residents trust. When hiring movers, make sure to let them know what services you need, such as packing, storage, plastic bin rentals, and so on. Hiring NJ movers can free up time you can spend hanging out with friends, hosting a going-away party, or dealing with the occasional meltdown of one of your children.

Visit Your Favorite Places Before Leaving Your Old Town

Carve out some time every week before you move to visit some of your and your child’s favorite places in your old neighborhood. Visit restaurants, attractions, and catalog everything! Heck, you can even create a digital or physical scrapbook of your old hometown so you and your child can look back fondly on these memories. Don’t forget to check in on old friends as well and get their contact information, including phone number, email address, social media connections, and home address, so you can stay in touch.

Don’t try to cram everything into a single day. Instead, spread out your visits over a few days. That way, you can still get some moving necessities done while treating yourself to something fun in the middle or end of the day. Plus, your child will be less likely to be overwhelmed if you sprinkle in some fun things to do over the course of the move.

Establish a Routine as Soon as You Move

People in general thrive on routines. Once your move is done, you should do something familiar as a family to unwind. Maybe that’s a family movie night or perhaps playing a board game together. Whatever the routine is, stick to it!

If you have younger children, you’ll want to stick to your daily routines as much as possible once you move into your new home. It will provide a sense of normalcy for your children and will help keep you on track as well! Of course, you might have to make some exceptions as you’ll need to unpack, but you try to stick to your bedtime and nap schedule as much as possible.

Make Moving Easier with Your Children

Moving is stressful at any age, but for children, it can be a hugely disruptive life event. While these tips can help manage their stress, don’t forget to regularly check in with your children to make sure they’re doing okay. If it looks like your child is struggling, take some time off from packing or unpacking and go outside, or maybe just relax with a family movie night. These short breaks can help your child, and you will feel better!

FAQ

What is the hardest age for kids to move?

There’s no easy age to move, but in general, the older the child is, the more a move impacts them. School-aged children will be leaving behind their friends and favorite teachers and will have to make new ones in an unfamiliar environment. This can be daunting even for the most gregarious child so make sure you keep an eye on them for the first few months in their new school.

How do I keep my younger child from causing disruptions on moving day?

For younger children, it might make sense to drop them off at daycare while the professional NJ movers load up the truck or you can look into babysitting apps and websites to find a capable babysitter who can keep an eye on your young children.

How can I keep my kids happy during the car ride to the new home?

If you’ve ever taken a long road trip with your child, you know how hard it can be to keep them entertained. For a smooth trip, make sure you have a comfortable car and pack plenty of snacks. You should also keep some entertainment on hand and make sure to have chargers!

Tag: Moving With Kids

5 Ways to Deal With Your NJ Relocation Depression