Once you have kids, moving can be hard. If your kids are several years old, and you’ve lived in the same place since they were born, you had time to find the perfect medical care, preschool, favorite parks, grocery stores, and coffee shops that are kid friendly.
U.S. Census Bureau data shows that couples with young children are the most likely demographic to move. It makes sense. Kids and careers tend to grow alongside each other as parents work hard both in and out of the home.
The challenge is that with a move to a new city, we might not have the luxury of exploring lots of options before making choices. Schools have to be selected. In many cases, families need childcare quickly. In all cases, families need to know a few basic things about their new city: where are the parks, grocery stores, and kid-friendly restaurants?
Newcomers can spend hours perusing the internet for resources available in their new neighborhood. After spending all of that time researching schools, doctors, and pediatricians, new parents still might not get the answers they really want. That’s because the surface-level information that we can find online is a helpful place to get started, but there is nothing like talking face-to-face with people who know the community resources.
The next time you’re at the playground or a school event, and you meet a family that’s new to your city, here are 10 pieces of information you can share with them that are both great conversation pieces and could be immensely helpful to them:
Pediatrician info. Not just the most popular pediatrician; the pediatrician with the shortest wait times. Or the office with a separate waiting room for sick kids.
Groceries. Some families are on the lookout for specialty products. You can help them out by letting them know where and when they can find farmers’ markets or health food stores that carry specialty products and options for kids with food allergies.
Playtime. Where are the best playgrounds? What playground is next to an ice cream stand? Or a place they can grab lunch? What playground has something unexpected close by? It absolutely happens that a website might highlight a fun playground, but what it doesn’t mention is that the playground is right next to a lake or beach. Parents like to know these things before they head out for playtime.
Preschool. A lot of families will want to know what the best preschools are for getting kids ready for kindergarten. What some newcomers might find valuable to know is which preschools are the ones where the kids learn through play all day long. Where are the kids making art and cooking?
Sports. Where are the places that kids are going to learn a sport with a level of intensity that prepares them for competitive sports as they grow? Alternatively, where are the organizations that are more focused on kids having fun?
Schools. It can be frustrating for parents to arrive in a new city and have people tell them how great the schools are, but not back it up with any details. A new parent is looking for reasons to get excited about the schools and appreciates hearing specifics about why you like it.
Weather wise. If the new family has recently changed climates, like moved from a hot place to a cold place, mom and dad want to know what they need to survive. Instead of telling them to get ready for the winter, let them know what they will need to buy and when they’ll need it, so that they are literally not left out in the cold.
Family-friendly places. Many parents of young children face challenges with going out to eat, shopping, or enjoying activities in public, such as movies. Your new neighbors will appreciate knowing the names of the places where kids can be kids. Is there a restaurant that has so much background noise that it doesn’t matter how loud the kids are? A movie theater that runs specials for kids on certain days?
Kid-friendly coffee shops. Sometimes mom and dad just want to head out to grab a bagel and a coffee. Where can they bring the kids? What are the places that won’t mind if the kids run around and which places (if any) should they save for adult-only time?
Gym or fitness center with reliable childcare. Lots of gyms offer childcare. Which one in your city staffs the childcare with employees who will play with and engage your children? Which one hires high school students that are allowed to play on their phones while they are with your kids?
When families move, what they really need is a sense of community and an opportunity to build new relationships. Mom and dad need new friends just as much as the kids do. People they can share dinner or play dates with or even just someone to meet up with for a drink. Being the person who moves is hard. Finding people in your new city who are welcoming and willing to share information and resources can make it a whole lot easier.
Sara Marchessault is a writer, life coach, and dedicated diarist. She is 110 percent dedicated to helping her clients and readers create a life full of joy. These days, journals are getting lots of details about playing with her kids and the awesome ups and downs of being a mom. Learn more about her work at saram
