This weekend we will be making the trek down south to help move my little sister and her son into her new home. While moving is really exciting it’s also a lot of work. I should know, it’s only been 5 months since we moved out of the city to a sleep little town just 5 minutes away. We are still trying to find places for all of our trinkets and treasures we hoarded for the past 11 years while exploring our new hometown.
Today Whitney shares with us four things to help make your family’s next move stress free.
Moving with the kids can be hard work. Add in the extra tasks and items that will need to be packed, it can be a full-time job. Here are some ways that you can make your next move with the family stress-free.
Start Early
Plan ahead and get organized. This means that you may need to make a list of all the things that still need to be done. Being prepared will make sure that you don’t have to pull an all-nighter right before your move. It will also give you more time to get the kids prepared for a change in scenery. Start packing up items that you don’t use, such as décor or the good dishes. Packing a little bit each day will spread out the amount of stress that you have associated with the move.
Use a Label Maker
Clearly label all of your boxes as you pack them up. This will save you time locating items once you’ve moved into your new home. It will also prevent a meltdown from occurring if your kid decides that they can’t live without something. Don’t just label what is in the box. Consider including the location of where the boxes will go when you get to your new home. Pack these boxes together on the truck so that you can more easily setup each room.
Create a Fun-Case
Turn a suitcase into a portable toy box for your kids. This will distract them while you’re getting your items moved. Include snacks and a change of clothes in the suitcase. This can allow your kids to be more self-sufficient while you’re busy doing other things. If you have younger children, include diapers or pull-ups for those ill-timed accidents that can occur. This will eliminate you having to hunt for these items in the mess of the move.
Invest in Custom Packing
You may have more on your plate than you can handle. Look into removalists to help you with your next move. These companies will come in and package up your fragile items so that they can arrive at your new home intact. Another perk is that you don’t have to search for your own moving boxes. Most of these companies will supply you with boxes and help you pack if you need extra assistance. This will let you focus on the other tasks that surround moving to a new location.
Moving doesn’t need to leave you feeling stressed out. Use your resources so that you can experience as little stress as possible.
Today’s guest poster :Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA.
She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.
Though I don’t have any plans to move in the near future, I’ll be sending this post to both of my children to help prepare them for their years ahead. The planning ahead tip is definitely the one I’ve found most helpful- and most difficult to stick to! I hope all went smoothly with your sister’s move!