Families move for various reasons, but when the children are forced to change it up so dramatically, emotions can run haywire. A major household move is an adjustment for everyone involved, but here are some ways to help make the transition a little easier.

Get Your Child Involve

If kids are involved in the process, it helps appease any fears of “left behind.”  Have them remove books from shelves, sort through the Tupperware, or help write on the boxes.

Pack Your Child’s Room Last

There’s no point in having their bedrooms stripped down until the last possible minute. Having precious items packed away two weeks before the move will do nothing but cause anxiety. Families with young babes should pack the nursery furniture last and set it up first to help get tots familiarized with the surroundings. Kids of all ages will be relieved to see their belongings safe and unpacked.

Depend on Friends

Take your friends up on their offers to take the kids on a play date while you pack up the kitchen. It will make the whole experience easier when little ones aren’t directly underfoot, determined to see their favorite dishware make its way into the box.

Have New Treats on Hand

Once the move is complete, surprise your kids with a small treat or toy, to welcome them to their new pad. This may bring toddlers and young children out of a funk and into the excitement of setting up their new digs.

Go With the Flow

A long distance drive is stressful even if it’s just a vacation – an entire move can be a hair-pulling nightmare. This isn’t the time to count media hours. Instead let your back-seat passengers to watch their favorite movies or play their awesome apps on the smart device. Kid wants to travel in their fave pajamas? No problem. The cranky 3-year-old missing her routine but napping for hours in the car?  Take what you can get.

Make The Trip an Adventure

Will your car be flying past any top-notch tourist destinations or amazing natural wonders? Why not make a road trip out of the move, and set aside a few days for some killer detours. Drive past the Grand Canyon without stopping? No way. Pass up a chance to see Old Faithful spout its top? Hardly! White sandy beaches? Why Not?

Get to Know your Neighbors

Once you’ve arrived, encourage the family to check out the new local culture, local organizations and events. This will help everyone ease into a new city or town. Find the library or the summer swim team, stop by the local businesses. Have your kids look online for groups or parks, including after school sports, clubs and meet-ups.

Keep in Touch with Old Friends

If your children are old enough to remember their friends, be sure to continue to strengthen connections. Be sure your child has their friend’s addresses and encourage her to write letters about her new town and school. Planning a trip back to the old community? Talk with the kids about visiting family or friends upon the return trip.

Have you recently moved  with your family? What  were some ways you eased the kids into the transition of a new home and new community? We want to know!

Trends spotted on the runway for spring and summer 2012 include some fashion must-haves on the very wearable side for women in perpetual motion. Juggling a bag of toys, a stroller or tricycle and kids to boot? No worries. For spring and summer consider embracing some of these fashion-forward, comfortable and totally fun looks.

The Prepster:

Some people don’t dig this style but fashionistas are preppy-stripe-happy right now. Boatneck, crew-neck, even blouses and blazers are donning the nautical pattern. J.Crew, always a fave stop for prepsters, already has some very wearable, very reasonably priced, very comfy stripes in stock. Pair the striped shirt with a close-fitting navy blazer and you’ve got the perfect outfit for weekend sports or family outings. It’s also perfect for volunteering at school or heading into work on casual Fridays.

Bright, Bold and Beautiful: 

Color is everywhere this spring, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to add a little to the wardrobe. Designers like Marc Jacobs, Akris and Nanette Lepore are on board – and stores from Neiman Marcus to GAP have all been embracing this wave and riding it to the max. Jeans in hues of coral, ocean blue and neon yellow,tangerine colored dresses, citrine yellow handbags, and kelly green shifts are all gorgeous and cheerful. As a mother-on-the-go, this trend is probably one of the easiest work with and enjoy. Buy a pair of jeans and some bright colored bracelets, perhaps even a pair of neon sandals. These small bursts of color will make your closet seem fresh and ready for warm weather.

Going Short: 

Everyone from tweens to matriarchs will be seen in shorts this summer. After a few seasons of hot pants, shorts are now at a much more reasonable length. With mid-thigh, high-waisted cuts, bermuda and more, shorts can be anyone’s summer essential. Rag & Bone tangerine colored tennis shorts offer two trends at once, a burst of color on a great pair of legs. H&M offers great floral print shorts and design icon Diane von Furstenberg included bright patterned Bermuda style shorts amongst her spring offerings.

The Cherry on Top: 

Accessories may be one of the easiest ways to add a fashionable look without going overboard.  For the mothers who swore off heels and good looking shoes in name of comfort, great news! Shoe lines such as TOMS offer comfort and fashion, hand-in-hand.  Moms around the neighborhood have been coveting the original TOMS in sequins and guest designer line The Row, made with cashmere and Italian wool. TOMS also has canvas wedges in a wide array of prints, colors and styles. The best part? For every pair purchased, another pair of shoes is donated to a child in need of footwear.  Another great pick is Sperry Top Sider, offering a great range of the classic boat shoe in fun colors such as gold and silver, a perfect addition the preppy looks for spring.

For jewelry, check out necklaces, earrings, or purses in a tribal print/safari wild style, seen all over the runway for spring and summer. Michael Kors and Donna Karan have gone mad for toothy necklaces, big supple brown leather totes (perfect for all the stuff your kiddo picks up during the day), big clunky wooden bracelets, and earrings with tones of brown, green and gold. Pick up some scraps of the most popular fabric donning the heads of models everywhere; headscarves in animal prints or bright bold colors makes a bad hair day a fashion statement day.

Remember, being a mother doesn’t have to equal looking frumpy or unstylish. Even one or two key items can be enough to rejuvenate some style and help moms feel confident, up-to-date and classy.

Shop these outfits and other SocialMoms boards at Polyvore.