Tips For Moving With Kids

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When we moved into our current home, we had a three-year-old and a three-month-old. That was years ago, but the stress of moving with young children has stayed with me. Not only was I worried about how we'd get our house packed in time to move, but I was also concerned about how our daughters would acclimate to a new home.

No matter how excited you are to move into your new home, the actual moving process can be a logistical nightmare, particularly when there are kids in the mix. When you’re moving as a family, it’s even trickier to plan in advance, but it’s not impossible. With these tips, you can streamline the moving process and make it stress-free for you and your kids:

Prepare Your Kids

Seeing all of your worldly possessions packed up can be disconcerting for anyone, but it can be especially worrying for youngsters. Tell your kids in advance about the move and show them some new local sights (a park or ice cream shop) they’ll be able to explore so that they’re excited about moving. In addition to this, get them as involved as possible, so that they’re aware of what’s going on and not surprised when you start packing everything up.

Start by Decluttering

Before you book a moving service or begin packing items in boxes, declutter your home and identify the things you no longer want or need. Additionally, there may be some things which aren’t suitable for your new home, which means you’ll need to decide what to do with them. By donating, discarding, or selling your unwanted belongings, you can avoid taking unnecessary items to your new home and streamline the moving process.

Arrange Specialist Shipping

If you need to move large, bulky, or valuable items, arranging specialist shipping can be a great way to ensure they arrive safely. When it comes to moving furniture, artwork, or motorcycles, for example, Shiply can make your life easier. With a wide range of budget-friendly shipping options, you can minimize the amount of work required on moving day by sending things in advance.

Organize a Babysitter

If you have young children, arranging for a babysitter to take care of them on moving day can be extremely helpful. If friends or family can help out, you can ensure that your kids won’t be caught up in a chaotic and potentially dangerous environment. When doors need to be left open so that boxes can be loaded into vans, for example, you won’t want young kids to be wandering about too.

Start Packing Early

Packing up your home always takes longer than you think, especially if you have children! Although there are some things you’ll need to leave until the last minute, the majority of your belongings can be packed up well before moving day arrives. This helps you pace yourself and prevents things from getting too hectic at the last minute.

Enjoying Your New Home

Upon arrival, you’ll want to be able to relax and enjoy your new home, so ensure you have an easily accessible box of essentials packed and ready to use. Similarly, make sure your utilities are already set up so that you can access heat, water, and electricity immediately. By planning your move in detail and doing as much in advance as possible, you can simplify the process and even enjoy moving into your new residence.