Moving My Parents- The Good, the Bad and the Funny

By Sara Fritz

After more than 50 years in the same home, my parents decided it was time to make “the move”.  For years, my dad said it would never happen, but our moving away from living right next door,  a couple of surgeries that were not stair-friendly, and a winter with actual snowfall seemed to  change their mind. We were moving them from the house where they raised my brother and me  to a retirement community that offered comfort, convenience, and a whole new lifestyle. 

Sounds simple enough, right? Just pack up, say goodbye, and settle into the next phase. Not exactly. 

Helping your parents move is an emotional, logistical, and—at times—completely comical  journey. It’s equal parts heartwarming and hair-pulling. And while no two families are alike, I  thought sharing our experience—the good, the bad, and the funny—might help someone else  facing a similar transition. 

Because when it comes to moving your parents, one thing is guaranteed: you’ll need some  tissues, some patience, and a good sense of humor. 

I write this as my parents have been in their new place for just over a month. As a realtor with  additional certification as a Senior Real Estate Specialist, I was confident this would be a walk in  the park.  

The Good: Silver Linings and Sweet Surprises 

Despite the emotional weight of this move, there were moments of genuine beauty woven  throughout the process—moments that reminded me why this transition mattered and how much  love was wrapped up in every step. 

1.The Timing Was Right (at least as right as possible) 

Although it is never an easy time to move, the timing seemed as optimal as possible. They were  up for the task of sorting through and selling items. My dad became an expert on Facebook  Marketplace, and it truly is amazing the things people are willing to pay money for, albeit even a  few dollars. They seemed as emotionally ready as possible. I am extremely grateful they did not  have to make this move under duress or facing a physical crisis, although that was to come…  more on that later. While we always advise clients who have the financial ability to do this, it  gave me a front row seat to the benefits of being able to move out before listing one's home.  

2. Professional Help Made a Difference 

We were lucky to work with a few thoughtful professionals along the way—their very patient  realtor :), they hired a professional to paint the exterior of the house, and finally got the new roof 

I had been saying they should invest in for years. We hired a wonderful stager which helped the  home present itself in the best possible way for potental buyers. 

4. Seeing Them Embrace the New 

There was something incredibly uplifting about watching my parents settle into their new place.  They quickly realized the ease of one floor living, no longer needing to schlep laundry up and  down to the basement. And their new home has a built-in ice maker, something so simple, yet  something they had never had, and my mom was especially excited about. Their new routine  includes my dad walking to the lobby to get his two newspapers every morning and bringing  back coffee for them both to enjoy. My mom has enjoyed the aqua aerobics classes and meeting  new people, as well as connecting with folks with whom she hadn’t been in touch with and  didn’t realize that they too lived in the same community. My dad was recruited to the community  equivalent of a “geek squad”. 

5. Unexpected Moments of Connection 

Seeing them take on and handle this challenge was uplifting and certainly something I am very  proud of them for. Their new space is fresh and bright, yet now that they have hung their  pictures, put their furniture in, and see it come together to make it feel like home has been such a  positive experience.  

The Bad: Real-Life Bumps in the Road 

As much as we tried to approach this move with grace and good humor, some moments tested  every ounce of our patience and emotional bandwidth. The truth is, moving your parents after  half a century in one place isn’t just a logistical challenge—it’s a deeply human one. 

1. The Emotional Weight of Letting Go 

This was the house both my brother and I grew up in it is the place where the majority of our  childhood memories were made. The family room that hosted countless movie nights and  sleepovers, and where my mom taught me to sew. The kitchen, where I would get scolded at the  dinner table for whatever antics I pulled at school, where my mom and I had Sunday baking  sessions, where I attempted (and ultimately failed) cooking experiments. My bedroom, where I  tape-recorded songs off the radio, made mix tapes, cried over boys and laid the groundwork (no  pun intended here) for my daughter to also have a knack for leaving clothes on the floor. Please  note I have outgrown this trait (for the most part).  

2. The Battle of the Stuff 

We were very fortunate that while my parents did have to downsize, my childhood home was not  larger, so accumulating a lot was not an option. That being said, they did need to go through  bookshelves, closets, etc in order to fit the things they really wanted in to their new space. As I  noted above, my dad becamse an expert at selling on Facebook marketplace, but this did require  time and patience (as anyone who has sold on Facebok Marketplace can attest).  

3. Guilt and Second-Guessing 

Even after the decision was made, there were moments of doubt: Are we rushing this? Are we 

doing the right thing? It's hard watching your parents leave the familiar behind, even when you  know it’s for the best. I definitely was guilty of having Realtor bravado, I was confident we could  stick to the schedule we had laid out and probably pushed them- certainly more than I would  have a “regular” client. And coming back to the good timing, soon after they moved in, my mom  took a spill and ended up breaking her shoulder. Although this ultimately reinforced that they  needed to move- we were all just releved it didn’t happen a couple of weeks earlier.  

The Funny: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up 

Somewhere between the chaos and the cardboard, we found ourselves laughing—sometimes to  keep from crying, sometimes because what else can you do? 

1. “How Old Is This?” 

For my parents, the evidence of being in a house for so long reared its head in the pantry.  Apparently, there was a time when spices did not have an expiration date, as we came across  quite a few of those. I threatened my mom, saying, “If you move out of this apartment because  you have 'moved on' and I find anything that pre-dates 2025, I will find you wherever you are  and ring your neck!”.  

2. The System for Safe Keeping That Wasn’t 

As my focus was on the timeline (see above) and making sure the major milestones were moving along  on schedule, I took my eye off the ball on smaller things. They hired movers for the larger furniture items,  but opted to pack up themselves for other things. This was fine until it wasn’t, when my parents had  placed their list of passwords and Christmas Card tracking lists 

And then there was the case of the cookie sheets and broiler pans. These have gone completely MIA,  never to be found. That being said, the cookie sheets were due for replacement, but broiler pans are hard  to come by, so we all took the “L” on that one. 

3. Milk crates as ladders 

As part of downsizing, we knew my dad had to (and for safety reasons should!) no longer have  his various ladders. The large ones were obvious, but the step ladder proved to be a challenge. As  the dust settled and they started decorating at their new place, I realized there were items that  were hung up that would have required a ladder. Come to find out, my dad employed one of the  milk crates used for moving as a step ladder. Needless to say, I was less than pleased, but  relieved he didn’t get injured in the process! 

Conclusion: Worth Every Box 

In the end, moving my parents wasn’t just about changing addresses—it was about helping them  (and honestly, all of us) turn the page on a major life chapter. And while it is never easy, having  the right support and professionals and a sense of humor will go a long way.

About the Author

Sara Fritz

Sara brings her real estate clients a unique value and perspective. Her professional career path began as a registered nurse and evolved into healthcare analytics and project management. Throughout her nursing experience, Sara learned to work closely and effectively with others during stressful and often tenuous times in their life. Her work in business analytics has honed her ability to capture and quantify customer needs in order to help them make more informed decisions and to understand the market. Sara’s management experience supports her ability to build trust and communicate effectively which ensures seamless and successful real estate transactions for her clients. Sara maintains her nursing license and enjoys working as a nurse on a per diem basis at a local assisted living community. 

Sara is thrilled to be a part of the Heidi Foggo Homes Team and working in partnership with her best friend since childhood, Torrey Jenkins.

Sara is a Delaware County native and lives in Wallingford with her husband Paul, their daughter Leah and their beloved dog Mac. Sara's son Sam is a Unites States Coast Guard Academy cadet and plays on their lacrosse team. She spends her free time with her family and friends outdoors…preferably by a lake or the beach. 

Sara is licensed in Pennsylvania and is certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Please reach out to Sara for all of your real estate needs.

As a lifelong DELCO resident and top-producing agent at Compass, Sara brings more than just real estate expertise—she brings heart, hustle, and an unwavering commitment to her clients. Whether you're reimagining how and where you want to live, relocating to be closer to family, or preparing your home for sale, Sara’s guidance is rooted in empathy, strategy, and deep local knowledge. As a founding member of NextPhase DELCO, she believes every transition deserves trusted support and a personal touch.