Alright, so you’ve moved to a new area.
And it’s time for your kids to head back to school.

New friends, new faces, new places.

Is there anything you can do to make that transition easier?
In the mad rush of lunch boxes, paperwork, and homerooms… is there anything you’re forgetting?

First: take a trip around your new Denver neighborhood. Visit your neighbors, get connected, check out the local park. Here’s why: your kids will feel a little less nervous if they recognize familiar faces!

Second: be patient. Depending on the age of your kiddos, they may act out, get frustrated or tired more easily, be slow to share their emotions, etc. Remember, this is a very big time for them. They are undergoing many changes and YOU are their only source of same-ness and stability. 

Next: remember the IEP / special considerations. Did your child have a special education plan set up at their past school? Make sure it gets transferred and their new teachers are aware. The same goes for allergies, any behavioral uniquenesses, etc. 

Plan Ahead: how are your children getting to school? Are they walking? If so, make sure you take the route with them before the first day so they are aware of environmental pins like street lights, stop signs, neighborhood dogs, etc. Also, keep in mind that crime rates and patterns differ by area, state, street, etc. Talk to your local families about whether they let their kids walk.

If they will take the bus, do you know what time it arrives on your street? If you or your partner will be driving them, do you know rules on drop offs? Some schools restrict how early you can drop of your children, some have specific classrooms where you can bring your kids for early morning care. 

A special something: on your kids’ first day, leave them a little encouraging note somewhere in their backpack, lunchbox, jacket pocket, etc. A small gesture, but they’re likely to see it mid-day when their world is full of new rules and unfamiliar surroundings.

What about after school? Experts agree: don’t grill them. Ask them a casual question or two about how their day went, and see if they feel comfortable discussing it. Remember, they may not know how they feel just yet, or they may still be processing (or they may open right up and share all about their new experiences!).

Just keep in mind that your family is embracing a new normal, and be ready for a transitional period. 

If you’re looking for other great resources on moving with children, here are some of our favorite blog articles on how to get the kids settled in a new space:

Unpackt Blog: 9 Ways to Help Your Kids Adjust to a New City or School

The Spruce: How to Help Introduce Your Kids to New Friends in a New Neighborhood

Have you moved to Denver recently? Or perhaps you moved from Highlands Ranch to Littleton, and have to get your kids ready for a whole new district?

Share your experiences with us below. Who knows? Maybe our kids are in the same classroom!