Moving with Kids in Montreal: Age-by-Age Guide

Moving with Babies and Toddlers (0–3 Years)

The good news about moving with very young children is that they won't remember it. The challenge is keeping them safe and on routine during the chaos. On moving day, the best plan is to have a trusted caregiver — grandparent, friend, or babysitter — watch the little ones away from the house.

If that's not possible, set up a safe zone in a packed room with a baby gate. Fill it with favourite toys, snacks, and a portable crib. Communicate with your movers (Up & Out crews are always mindful of kids) about which room is off-limits.

Maintain their nap and feeding schedule as closely as possible. Pack a diaper bag with everything you'd bring on a full day out: diapers, wipes, formula or snacks, change of clothes, and comfort objects. Unpack the nursery first at the new place.

Moving with Preschool & School-Age Kids (4–11 Years)

This age group understands that something big is happening, and they may have anxiety about losing friends, changing schools, or leaving a familiar room. Talk openly about the move and frame it positively: a new room to decorate, a new park to explore, maybe a bigger backyard.

Involve them in the process. Let kids pack their own "special box" with treasured items — favourite stuffed animals, books, a blanket. Give them age-appropriate tasks like labelling boxes with stickers or choosing the colour of their new room.

If you're changing schools, visit the new school in advance. Montreal's CSDM (Commission scolaire de Montréal) can help with enrollment for French schools, while the EMSB handles English-language schools. Many schools allow pre-move visits so kids can meet their new teacher and see the classroom before their first day.

Moving with Teenagers (12–17 Years)

Teens often have the hardest time with moves. Their social world is everything, and uprooting them from friends, activities, and familiar hangouts feels like the end of the world. Acknowledge their feelings without dismissing them — "I know this is hard" goes further than "You'll make new friends."

Give teenagers some control over the process. Let them choose how to arrange their new room, pick out paint colours, or have input on the neighbourhood. If you're moving within Montreal — say from Ahuntsic to Verdun — help them plan how they'll stay connected with old friends via transit (the STM makes cross-city travel easy for teens with an OPUS card).

If your teen is in CEGEP or about to enter, consider proximity to their campus. Being close to Dawson, Vanier, or Collège de Maisonneuve can make a big difference in their daily happiness and commute.

Helping Kids Adjust After the Move

Unpack your children's rooms first. A familiar, organized space gives them a sense of stability. Let them arrange their own things and make the room feel like theirs. Hang up their art, set up their bookshelf, and make the bed with their favourite sheets.

Explore the new neighbourhood together. Find the nearest park, library, and ice cream shop. Montreal is a city of incredible neighbourhoods — if you've moved to Villeray, check out Parc Jarry; in Verdun, walk the bike path along the canal; in Côte-des-Neiges, explore the trails near the Oratoire.

Be patient. Most children adjust within 3–6 months, but some need more time. If your child shows persistent signs of distress — withdrawal, sleep problems, declining grades — don't hesitate to seek support through your school or local CLSC. Montreal has excellent family resources to help with transitions.