Kids and the Home Buying Process

Are you getting ready to move? Upgrading or buying your first home is an exciting experience all around. If you have young kids, you may be wondering how to best address the topic of moving with them. Do you give them any say? How do you “break the news” if they are especially attached to their current home? These are just a few common questions we hope to answer in today’s blog.

The first step in the moving process, for many families, is the shopping period. From the time you decide to move to move in day, there are lots of decisions to make and homes to visit. Many home buyers will naturally wonder whether or not they should bring their kids along for the visits—and the answer can vary from family to family. To determine what’s right for you, consider your child’s age and temperament. If they’re younger and easily excited, they may have no qualms about moving and will eagerly help you visit home after home—even if they don’t have a “say” in the process. Older kids and teens will appreciate being involved as well, and you may benefit from their input along the way. 

On the other hand, infants or toddlers are often too young to enjoy the process and may make the touring process more stressful. In these cases, you may want to consider leaving them at home for the visit and only bring them to see the new space once everything is finalized.

Preparing for the move

If you’ve already found your next home, you may be wondering how to get your child excited and prepared for the move ahead. Much of this simply revolves around you being positive yourself—over time, your child should be able to follow suit. Try…

• Emphasizing the pros of the move over the cons. For example, don’t dwell on the stress of a move—especially in front of your child. Talk with them about how great their new room will be, the kinds of parks and recreational opportunities in the new area, and other positives.
• Avoiding “have to” and similar phrases. Your child is more perceptive than you might think! By constantly using phrases like “we have to,” you may be subtly linking the move with a chore or obligation in your child’s mind. Instead, phrase moving duties (such as packing or transferring school) in a more positive, exciting way.
• Involving your child. Don’t make the move a “parent only” process, since your child may feel left out and confused about the process as time goes on. Instead, involve your child by helping them learn about their new home—whether that means showing them pictures online or talking with them about their new school or neighborhood. If you live close enough, you may also want to visit the new area with your child to get them acclimated. Spend time at your new home’s local coffee shops, parks and other favorite spots to make your child feel at home, faster.

With patience and a little encouragement, moving can be easy on both parent and child. Enjoy the time together as you prepare to say “hello” to your new home!