After hearing about your upcoming move, you might have received some silly advice about moving with your children: don’t do it. While that may be good advice for some, most of us don’t have that flexibility and need advice that is a little more helpful.
Give the Kids Age-Appropriate Responsibilities
By delegating responsibilities to your kids, they can feel more included in the entire moving process, which can help them feel more in control and ease the transition. Here are a few tasks that kids can help with:
- Build moving boxes
- Pack their clothes and toys
- Label boxes
- Keep inventory on moving supplies
- Shred discarded personal papers
In the weeks leading up to the move, assign your kids tasks like purging their toys and clothes of items that are no longer used. Hold a family meeting or two to check in with everyone and check items off of your to-do list. Giving kids a sense of ownership over moving-related tasks can be really helpful to take the focus off the fear of the unknown that often comes with moving.
Pack a Few “Now” Boxes
A box labeled “now” will be filled with essentials that should be the last on, first off the moving truck. Pack a “now” box for each of your children, labeled with their names and “now,” containing all of their favorite toys, books and comfort items. Having these important contents readily available upon arrival will keep the little ones occupied as you start to unpack at your new place.
Don’t forget to pack a “now” box for the grownups, too. Instead of toys though, yours should include essentials for the kitchen and bathroom, like the coffee maker, paper towels, toilet paper, a few bath towels, soap, snacks, a box cutter and some cutlery.
Call for Backup
You’ll be significantly more efficient at getting everything from point A to point B by arranging for childcare in advance, preferably offsite. ApartmentGuide.com moving experts suggest setting up playdates for each child to help ease the stress of this transition for everyone. And without your littles underfoot, you’ll be able to get things done at lightning speed by comparison.
Arrange for childcare help during the week following moving day as well, suggests parenting experts at PBS. This will help you get unpacked and settled faster, so you can get rid of all of the boxes and your family can get adjusted to your new environment.
Create a Moving Day Kit
This should include everything you’ll need to get through the big day. Start by creating a binder with your to-do list, extra paper and any necessary paperwork from the movers, your new place, and anything else you might need to reference on moving day. Store everything in a big clear plastic box, so you can see everything easily.
Fill the box with snacks, bottled water, cleaning supplies, a few rolls of packaging tape, permanent markers, scissors, box cutters, a roll of toilet paper and paper towels. Include a box of plastic zip-top bags to contain any small items during the loading process, like the screws to assemble your bedframe.
Clean First
Your new apartment will likely be spick and span upon arrival, however, it won’t hurt to give the entire place a quick once over before arriving with the first load of boxes. Ensure that everything is clean for the kids by wiping down all of the countertops with disinfectant. Give the tub a quick scrub as well so that it’s squeaky clean for the first bathtime in your new digs.