Moving With a Big Family: How to Make the Transition Easier for Everyone

When One Move Feels Like Ten

Moving house is always stressful, but when you have a large family—each child with their own needs, routines, and quirks—it can feel like you're relocating a small nation. Add in homework struggles, learning differences, or anxiety around changing schools, and the upheaval of a move can weigh heavily on both kids and parents. If you’re staring at boxes while your child is staring sadly at their math homework, know this: you’re not alone. And there is a way through.

Acknowledge the Emotional Toll—For Everyone

You might be thinking about logistics: new schools, new beds, packing crayons and remembering where the lunchboxes went. But your kids are thinking about the friends they’re leaving behind, the hallway they raced down every morning, the comforting routine of their old classroom. Emotional readiness is just as important as physical preparation.

Start by making space—literally and emotionally. Talk openly about what's changing and what will stay the same. Ask each child individually how they feel about the move. For younger ones, create a story together where a brave hero (who just happens to share their name) embarks on an exciting new chapter. Some educational tools, like the Skuli App, let you turn written lessons into custom audio adventures where your child is the main character. These kinds of playful narratives can help anchor your child's learning while giving them an emotional script for handling change.

Preserve Routines Where You Can

Routines mean safety, especially for children dealing with learning differences or anxiety. While your environment may be in flux, try to keep bedtime rituals, mealtimes, and even screen-time rules as consistent as possible. During the chaos of moving, it’s tempting to drop routines completely, but the absence of structure can leave kids feeling adrift.

If mornings are a struggle, and even more so in a temporary space, find ways to simplify. Quick and balanced breakfasts can play a huge role in maintaining energy and focus, even during transition weeks.

Bringing Schoolwork Into the Move

Asking a child to "focus on school" while moving boxes around them may feel like asking them to build a castle in a hurricane. But you can gently weave learning into the move instead of demanding traditional study at the wrong time. For example, if your child struggles to concentrate in a new environment, rely more on auditory learning during car rides or unpacking sessions. Many parents find that audio versions of school lessons (which some apps can help create from written notes) help keep kids engaged without the pressure of a workbook.

And let’s be honest—papers get lost in a move. So, consider taking photos of essential lessons before the chaos begins. Some tools, like Skuli, turn a snapshot of a lesson into quick, personalized review quizzes you can do together while waiting for internet installation or sitting at a new coffee table stacked with books.

Set Realistic Expectations with Teachers and Yourself

If your children are switching schools, communicate proactively with teachers about your family’s transition. Let them know what your child needs—not just academically, but emotionally. Share what's previously helped your child manage changes or stay focused.

On your end, loosen the reins just a little. If your usually independent 10-year-old suddenly needs to work beside you, remember: this is temporary. And if two siblings are suddenly fighting over who gets to log into their class account first, consider it natural friction from shared stress. You might want to review our piece on teaching independence to kids, especially during times when space and calm become luxuries.

Give Older Kids Roles That Matter

In big families, older kids often get overlooked—not because we love them less, but because they seem so self-sufficient. During a move, this can turn into resentment or withdrawal. One way to prevent that: give them responsibility that has value. Let one child label and decorate boxes for their younger siblings, or task another with creating a countdown calendar to the first day at the new school.

This not only builds ownership but promotes confidence, especially helpful if they’re apprehensive about starting over socially. Helping them feel useful taps into their internal motivation, something we explore more deeply in our article on keeping kids motivated at school in large families.

Simplify Where You Can—And Let the Digital Tools Help

Most parents fear screen time as a foe, but some tech tools—when thoughtfully chosen—can genuinely lighten the load. During a move, instead of wrangling a lost worksheet or a half-packed backpack, use apps that actually assist with learning, not just distract from it. We’ve looked into what works and what doesn’t in our detailed guide on digital tools that help kids with homework.

In moments when everything feels like too much, keep in mind that these small supports—portable quizzes, audio lessons, or just listening together while unpacking—can make the transition feel less like interruption and more like evolution.

The Gift Hidden Inside the Chaos

It’s easy to view a move as disruptive, especially if your child is already struggling at school. But change, while uncomfortable, also opens space for reinvention. Your child gets a fresh start. So do you. There’s joy tucked in between the packing tape and the mismatched socks: new friendships, new energy, and sometimes even a version of your family dynamic that’s a little more connected, because you’ve had to come together to get through it.

So no, a big family move won’t be seamless. But with patience, empathy, and just the right tools in your pocket, it can be a deeply meaningful chapter of your child’s learning journey.