Moving alone or moving with children, whether it is across town or the country, can be quite the adventure. If you have children, it can be even more stressful and exhausting. It is so important to take time to prepare for your move in every way possible. Preparation is the key to de-stressing the moving process and making it easier for your kids and you! Learn more with these five tips.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Whether it helps with the kids or help packing, having friends and family around who can carry some of the load is essential. For most people, asking for help is very difficult to do, but you will need to swallow your pride and ask. All they can say is “no.” If you don’t have friends or family nearby, getting a sitter can be a great idea when you are packing or when you are moving boxes. The sitter can help you to keep them out of the way and busy with other things. Another way to make it easier is to hire a moving company. Whether they help you pack or move the boxes from Point A to Point B, this can make a big difference in your stress level.
Start Early
You may think that you can pack up your entire house in a few days. You probably can, but think about how long it takes for you to get out of the house with your kids. Multiply that by 1,000, and you are moving with children. By beginning weeks, if not months, before you move, you can ensure that you are ready and take some of the stress from the process. Use your garage to store the moving boxes or consider renting a mobile moving container that you can pack and then have moved to your new residence.
Nighttime Is the Best Time
As a parent, you know that night is the best time to do anything you don’t want your children involved in. This most definitely includes packing up their room. By doing it at night (while they are at a sleepover at Grandma’s or getting a special movie time/sleep time in your bedroom), you can get rid of what you want and pack up their toys without them getting frustrated. Another tip is to take the toys you are donating to Goodwill at night as well, so the kids will not be reclaiming anything.
Pack a “First to Open” Box
A “first to open” box can save your sanity. Include in this box the things you are going to need first to live your life. If you are arriving late in the day, sheets may be a significant need – only because you are going to be tired, and no one wants to be hunting for sheets. Medications you take regularly, as well as ibuprofen, antibiotic ointment, and Band-Aids are other vital things. Contact lens solution, snacks for the kids, something for them to do until you start unloading their boxes, a few towels, and a set of clothes for each person are also great to include.
Label Your Boxes Carefully
You will find 100 different ways to label your boxes online, but you want to use the one that makes the most sense to you. Color code by using different tape on each one. Write the room in different colors on the box. Pack the truck by room. There are many ways that you can organize your boxes to make unpacking into rooms easier, whether you are doing it or a moving company is.
Moving with kids can be stressful, but with a little forethought and preparation, you can make it easier for your kids and yourself. Use these tips and find a way that makes it more organized for you and your moving adventure. Enjoy your new home!
