It's very normal for them to not be excited about this, so I think I would give them some space to be sad. Maybe come up with some kind of "ceremony" to say goodbye to the old house. Not sure how old they are, but depending, you could have them draw pictures of their favorite parts of the house, take pictures of them in it, tell stories about it, maybe print a photo book about it.

Balance this with also talking about the new house and the good things it will have. If you're up for it, give them a chance to select a paint color for their new room, or a new piece of furniture.

Find ways they will be able to incorporate some familiar things from their current rooms into the new place -- maybe a picture that you'll bring and hang in a similar place or something. Maybe plan to have a big party when you move in (just as a family) -- with a cake and their favorite food, as "move-in" day. They could even decorate a bit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids also had trouble with their less an a quarter mile move to a SFH. i let them pick out paint color and their rooms are inarguably bigger. but it was still a transition. i was surprised...it'll just take time.

Same here. We moved 1 mile 2 years ago. No school change, kids got much bigger rooms with their own baths yet you would have thought we moved them to the moon. My daughter even wrote an essay about how her childhood ended on the day we moved. Sigh.

They don’t spontaneously cry about it any more but it still makes them sad to think about. Time heals.

Awww.

OP, I totally relate, especially after COVID when we have all spent so much time at home. For my kids, it is reassuring to mention that ALL their things, all their toys, clothes, beds, bookshelves, rugs, drawers, books, cups, plates, EVERYTHING is coming with us and they can set it up exactly the same (or as similar as possible).

I couldn't wait to get out of our cramped townhouse into the SFH we had wanted for so long, and just the other night I got teary-eyed thinking about the old place, the walking paths, and some of the other things we loved about the old neighborhood. And I love our new neighborhood and new house! Moving is a stressful event even when it is welcome. It is a big change! Validate their feelings and don't immediately shift to how great the new house will be. Just let them sit with it.

How far away are you moving?

Anonymous wrote:My kids also had trouble with their less an a quarter mile move to a SFH. i let them pick out paint color and their rooms are inarguably bigger. but it was still a transition. i was surprised...it'll just take time.

Same here. We moved 1 mile 2 years ago. No school change, kids got much bigger rooms with their own baths yet you would have thought we moved them to the moon. My daughter even wrote an essay about how her childhood ended on the day we moved. Sigh.

They don’t spontaneously cry about it any more but it still makes them sad to think about. Time heals.