Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by The Sibley Group at Keller Williams Realty Professionals; these are some really great tips for moving with kids in and around New Orleans.
Five Things You Should Know When Moving With Kids
Whether you’re moving across the country or just down the block, moving can be pretty overwhelming, especially if there are children involved. Searching for a new place to call home, staging your home to be listed, and clearing out of the house for showings… while trying not to disrupt your little one’s schedule… 
is a lot to handle. While you may need a glass of wine (or two or three) to cope with the process, kids are pretty resilient. To make the transition as smooth as possible, here are some suggestions from The Sibley Group at Keller Williams Realty Professionals.
Prepare Them For What To Expect
How soon you let your kiddos in on the news that you’re moving is a personal decision. Research suggests letting young children and toddlers know about a month in advance of the move date, while older children can usually be informed as soon as you feel is appropriate. It also depends upon how far you’re moving. A cross-country move away from friends and family may warrant a conversation sooner rather than later to help prepare children for goodbyes.
Hire a Realtor Who TRULY Understands the Market and Can Sell Your Home Quickly
Not all Realtors are created equally. It is very important that the Realtor you select be able to price the home accurately. Looking for help in pricing your home, visit www.NewOrleansPropertyValues.com. Great marketing combined with competitive pricing gets the home in front of the most motivated buyers, while still netting you the most money possible. The longer your home sits on the market, the more negotiating power you lose. In addition, you will have to keep the toys picked up, crumbs off of the floors, finger prints off of the windows, counters cleared and be “on call” to get out of the house for showings that much longer.
Get The Kids Involved in the Process
If your children are old enough, ask them what they love most about their current home and what their wish list would be for a new home. Be prepared for some wild answers! Or ask your kids to draw you a picture of their ideal home. Tell them you will bring it with you while you are house hunting and will do your best to keep their wishes in mind. Involving children in the conversation allows them to be heard and feel like their opinion is important. Consider allowing them to look through online photos of the homes you are going to be viewing in person. Ask them what their favorite features are to keep the conversation light and positive. When it comes to viewing the homes in person, you may decide it’s best to keep little ones at home instead of bringing them along for the ride. You’ll want to take your time during each walk through and not feel rushed or distracted.
To ensure the kids don’t feel left out, The Sibley Group provides a Little Mover Supply Kit, complete with supplies to make special moving boxes, post cards, and a book about moving! Request a Little Mover Supply Kit here.
Pack Their Room Last and Unpack It First
When you’ve selected a new home and you’re preparing for the big move, pack your child’s room last and unpack it first. Maintaining the status quo for as long as possible is key to making a smooth transition. Depending upon their age your kids may be able to help out with the process. Make it fun by creating a special ribbon or badge titled “Mom and Dad’s Big Helper!”
Host A Housewarming Party: Kids Only
Allow your kids to invite their friends, close family members or babysitter over to show off their new digs. Since you’re only inviting a few folks, you don’t need to wait until every room is freshly re-painted, free of boxes and spotless before the kids can have a little fun. The party can allow your little ones to feel like the house is truly theirs and is something to be proud of. Utilize those leftover boxes to create a fort, a castle, a blank canvas for crayons and paint… whatever their heart desires. Enjoy the moving process as much as possible so they will think back on how fun it was (in case you move again soon)!
Buying or selling a home can be overwhelming at times. You don’t need to go through the process alone. The Sibley Group can help you minimize the stress associated with the sale or purchase of your next home. Visit www.SibleyRealtyGroup.com to download a copy of our free eGuide to buying or selling a home.
