The general thought has always has been that it is least disruptive to move your kids during their summer vacation. But in this difficult market, the financial health of the family must also be considered in deciding when to put your home on the market. Realistically, your home is probably your single largest investment, and you will be under a lot of pressure if you feel you have to wait until spring to get your old house sold, find and purchase your new home, and get your family settled in – all during the scant summer break period.
If you put your home on the market in the spring, you will certainly have more competition and you may feel compelled to accept a lower offer than otherwise necessary, just to keep “on schedule.” Additionally, if your family is dealing with a job transfer, its last-minute nature may leave you not in control of your timing, forcing one parent to begin the new job and leaving the other parent alone with the kids waiting out the school year.
You may be surprised to learn that many experts in the field of child psychology advise parents to move during the school year with their elementary school children. Yes, I did say during the school year. School is the ideal place for your child to find new friends, and a mid-year move allows your child to transition directly from one social environment to the next. Younger children thrive on routine, and the routine they know best is getting up and going to school – even when the school is a new one. Arriving during the school year will allow your child to be special and interesting to their classmates and teacher. Many parents have found that a mid-year move works well for their family as a whole, and the children are quicker to be involved in the activities of the new school.
While U.S. Census Bureau figures show that about 60 percent of moves occur between June and October, the drawbacks of a summertime move are numerous. Even for children who are not relocating, the end of the school year can be an emotional whirlwind and a hard-to-take loss for those who depend on the daily routine. A change of location can add to the uncertainty your child may already be feeling. Additionally, when you arrive in your new neighborhood, many families will be away on summer holidays. Your new street could seem desolate as the kids stay inside to escape the Naples sun or are busy with summer camps. Children starting school at the beginning of the school year may feel lost in the shuffle as the other students reconnect with each other after summer holidays spent apart. Your child’s teacher will be incredibly busy during the first few weeks of school and may not be aware that your child is a newcomer if they join the class on opening day like everyone else.
One of the most important things that you can do to smooth the transition is to call the new school before you move. Maybe a tour of the school can be arranged, or an advance meeting with the teacher, or perhaps your child could be paired up with a classmate so that he has someone to sit with at lunch for the first few days – all of which will help whether it is the first day of school or the middle of February.
As the parent, you know your child’s temperament, and only you know what is ultimately best for your child. When you begin the moving process, be sure to focus on all of the advantages your children can look forward to. If you believe that you are embarking on a great adventure, your children will, too. Tell your child about your upcoming move as soon as possible. Children who sense something unknown is going on may become more anxious than if they were aware of the exciting changes ahead.
by Mara Muller
