How to Homeschool Through a Move

So, you have a move on the horizon.
It’s going to be stressful.  There’s no way to make a move stress-free especially when kids are involved.  As a military family, we have definitely had our share of moves. In fact, we’ve had 10 of them and we’ll be preparing for our 11th one soon, most of them during the school year.
I’ve created a free downloadable list for you to use as you go through your move.  Download it now!

Homeschooling While You Prepare to Move

If you’re moving out of state, check out your new homeschool laws.  If you’re moving to a higher-regulation state like New York, you may want to take time now to start gathering the requirements.
Join homeschool Facebook groups for your new area  Can’t find a local one?  Start one!
Scope out homeschool groups, activities, & co-ops in your new area.  Send e-mails and make phone calls to inquire about openings and offerings. If you want to join a co-op, be sure to ask about sign-up deadlines and write them into your calendar!

If you’re moving to a new state, start learning about it as part of your homeschool day.  Movies, non-fiction books, fiction books set in your new area are all great choices.  We have also used the Dailies books by Carole Marsh, as well as her Real Kids, Real Places books.

Take any field trips you still want to see or ones you want to do one more time.  Be sure to let your local friends know in case they want to join you. Sometimes I feel like I need to squeeze in curriculum filled days since the move will take days away.  There will be plenty of time for curriculum later, but your time with those people and in that area is limited.  Don’t waste those precious memories!

Homeschooling During the Move

If you’re doing a long distance move, pack your curriculum and must-have resources in your car. It will be easier if you know where everything is and there is no risk of those items getting lost in the move.
Prioritize what really needs to be done.  What subjects are musts and what subjects can you hit pause on?  Which ones are the most relaxing and which ones are the most stressful to tech?
Choose a flexible curriculum, just temporarily.  Choose something that is portable, something that is open-and-go, something that is easy to do only a partial lesson, etc. It will make it easier to do school 

Adjust your school year calendar so you can ‘afford’ to take off some days during it.  
Embrace technology.  Audiobooks can count for literature and supplement for history and science.  DVDs and online streaming can entertain kids while boxes are being loaded and while you’re driving.
Keep the schedule as close to normal as possible.  Maybe each day of the moving process you prioritize schooling over breakfast or lunch, maybe an hour right after lunch.  Choose something that should be (relatively) easy to maintain most days and try to do it, however it may look.  It will give you all a sense of normalcy. 
If you’re moving to a new area, where can you stop along the way?  Search a major city + the interstate number + kids/museum/zoo to find recommendations.  

Homeschooling After the Move

Look for a park day to join.  Nothing you can find? Post in a FB group that you’re new & set up a park day yourself.

Get to the library!  Go during the day–you may find homeschoolers.  If you haven’t found a homeschool group, ask the children’s librarians.  They may be able to connect you directly or give you some guidance.
Check out the local visitors center.  Those who work there are genuinely excited to introduce the area to new people. You’ll find lots of great ideas for field trips. And they are a great source to ask for favorite gems like great restaurants and the best local stores. Those things may not be important for homeschool day but they sure do help with settling in.

Finally, give all of you extra grace. It’s hard moving especially if it puts you in a new town or state. Even the easiest of moves brings unease as everyone adjusts.It takes us several months to adjust after each move. You’ll find your new normal and new relationships and new activities.  But it will take time.  And it will take time to grieve the loss of what you did have before the move.