This guest post is from Angela Pearse, a blogger for Zumper who frequently combines travel…
Planning for an upcoming move presents a host of things to consider. Adding kids into the mix can complicate things further. You are already stressing about how your child will handle the move and respond to being in a new place while on top of that you also have to consider how to navigate moving day with one or more kids.
8 Essential Tips For Moving With Kids
While moving with kids can be a stressful season, there are certain things that can ease the stress of relocating and make moving a more feasible task with children. This article outlines eight helpful tips for moving with kids. If you are approaching a move and are looking for ways to simplify your upcoming move, this article is for you.
1. Get Childcare For Moving Day
If your children are toddler age or below it may be wise to arrange for childcare for moving day. Toddlers and infants are very empathetic and can sense when the environment around them is charged or stressful. To avoid stressing your little one out consider arranging for a family member or trusted babysitter to watch them on moving day.
Having childcare for your little one will also ensure that he or she isn’t underfoot or getting into boxes that have been packed already.
2. Label Everything
The importance of labeling during the packing and moving process cannot be stressed enough. If you are moving with kids (especially small kids), having every box labeled means the difference between a happy little one and a very upset one.
Losing your child’s favorite toy or the diaper bag on moving day can be a massive inconvenience as it means that you will have to sort through mountains of unlabeled boxes in order to find it again. Do yourself and your child a huge favor and take the time to label all of your boxes before moving day rolls around.
3. Separate Essentials
You should have one box for any essentials. Essentials include anything your child uses on a daily basis as well as favorite items that your kid might find comforting or entertaining on moving day. Favorite toys, storybooks, games, or puzzles that are used often should be put in the essentials box. The essentials box isn’t just handy for moving day either, following your move your kid will find both enjoyment and comfort in having a few items easily accessible while you go about the unpacking process.
4. Have A Positive Attitude
As mentioned above, kids are incredibly intuitive and can sense when things are stressful. Moving with kids presents you with the opportunity to make almost everything into a game, eliminating some of the stress your child might feel with the approaching move. Viewing your upcoming move as a positive change and an exciting adventure will help your kid to feel the same and will eliminate much of the anxiety your child may be feeling about the relocation.
5. Let Your Kid Be Involved
A good way to eliminate moving stress from your child is by allowing them to be involved. Let them be involved in the planning of their new room, allow them to choose a paint color, decor style, or room theme.
This will give your kid something to think about and look forward to about moving homes and will replace anxiety with anticipation.
6. Let Your Kid Help
Kids love to help out whenever they can. Rather than being told that they are too young to be useful during the moving process, your kids will love to hear that you have the perfect job for them. If your kid is old enough, allow them to help with packing, labeling, or folding. Make tasks like these into a game or contest and watch the moving stress dissipate for you and your kid alike.
7. Have Moving Day Activities Planned
Buy your kid a new coloring book, game, or toy and surprise him or her with it on moving day. A new toy or game will hold your child’s interest for several hours and will help keep them from getting bored with the lengthy process of moving.
8. Work With A Professional Moving Service
Perhaps the best way to eliminate stress when moving with kids is by working with a professional moving service. Doing so will free up both time and energy that you can then use on settling into your new house and neighborhood.
Allowing moving professionals to take care of transportation, packing, and loading will give you more time to spend with your kid on moving day, diminishing stress from him or her and making the transition much easier for you both.
Moving With Kids Soon?
Here at On The Go Moving, we have a team of moving experts who have handled many moves with kids involved. Our team understands that moving can be a difficult time for kids and know how to navigate moving day in such a way to eliminate anxiety from both parents and kids.
Rather than doing all of the packing, loading, and moving yourself, contact us today to hear what a team of expert movers can do for you.