Category: Moving Tips

You’re moving with your family. It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. It’s especially emotional when you have children. There are ways to help make a move less stressful (and less scary) for young children. Here are a few tips to make moving with kids easier.

Time to process the move

Give your children time to process the move before it happens. It is sometimes easier to wait to have the hard conversation. But, when it comes to moving, you should let the kids know sooner rather than later. Combined with some additional tips below, this will give them a chance to absorb and process the change rather than be shocked by it.

Get excited about the new home

Find things for your children to be excited about. It can be as simple as a nice backyard or fun playroom to bigger things like the “big city” or “great outdoors”. Try to envision the new area through the eyes of your children. What will get them excited? Perhaps you’ll be closer to a park or pool. Maybe there is a great sports team or theaters. By taking your children’s perspective, you can find things to talk to them about to get them excited to live in the new area.

Be part of the move

Let them be part of the move planning. Children already feel a lack of control, and a move can make that feeling more acute. While planning the move, keep your children in the loop. Where appropriate, ask for their input. The move should not be something that is “happening to them,” it should be something the are apart of.

Get to know the new town

Help them get familiar with the new place before the move. It may not be possible to visit, but if you can, that’s a great step. If not, see about sharing videos or photos of the new house and the area around it. Another great tool is Google Maps. You can take a virtual drive around the new town and neighborhood on the computer. This will help them know what to expect and alleviate some of the uncertainty.

Have a place to be

When it is time to pack, be sure the kids are involved. They should pack their own “essentials box” (you can pack the real one). This is a box of items that they will want to open as soon as they arrive. Having their own box will give them a sense of control both before and right after the move.

Make time for the family

Unpacking can be a consuming process. Before you get to the broader household items, be sure the kids’ rooms are set up. This will help them settle in and give them a comfort zone during those times when you are focused on other parts of getting settled in.

Have an activity plan for the weeks following your move. It is tempting to spend all your time unpacking to get it done. But, your kids need to see where they live and get to know their new home. Make a plan and set aside time for the family to explore the new town, even if it means unpacking takes a little longer. The time you spend early on will help them be happier in the long term.

By communicating, taking your kid’s perspective, and setting aside time, you can help your children make the most of the move. Keep them in the loop and focused on the positive to make them feel good about their new home. We have moved many families over the decades. If you need help or are looking for a professional mover, give us a call.

5 Tips for Performing a Move in a Hurry

Moving is sometimes be an overwhelming process. And if you’re in a situation where you need to expedite your move, it can sometimes be too much to take. That’s why we’ve compiled a set of tips for those who need to move in a hurry.

1. Get your help ASAP

If you need some help during your move (and you probably will), you’re going to want to contact help as soon as you can. Soliciting help may be tricky depending on how short notice the move is.

You can reach out to friends and family or possibly a professional moving company to lock-in their help right away.

2. Come Up With a Checklist

Write down a checklist of moving priorities. This will help things go smoothly in case you forget something. It’s a good way to prioritize too. You’ll have to accelerate your timeline in this case so keep that in mind.

Checklists not only help you organize your goals and timeline but the act of writing things out can help you come up with steps you might not have thought of.

It doesn’t matter how detailed you want your checklist to be. Just having one can be a huge help in expedited circumstances. 

3. Moving is a Great Time to Downsize Your Belongings

Getting rid of anything you don’t really need is a crucial step in a move, regardless of the timeline.

Get to work right away designating “donate” and “throwaway” piles. 

In the circumstances of a short notice move, you don’t really have time to be nostalgic. You’ve got to get everything out ASAP.

Once you’ve got your donate and trash piles boxed up and ready to go, get rid of the trash and take your donate box to your local charity organization.

4. Gather Moving Supplies

Stock up on lots of moving supplies. It’s always a good idea to check the return policy on items you may not use. Then, overstock your materials. Buying too many supplies is better than having to make multiple trips if you didn’t buy enough.

You’ll definitely need the following materials:

• Boxes
• Packing paper/bubble wrap
• Markers
• Labels
• Packing tape and dispenser

5. Organize and Label Your Boxes

Knowing exactly what you have in each box will save a huge headache once you get to your new place.

It’s important to create an organized labeling system for all your boxes. Your label should have both the contents of the box as well as the room it belongs in. Label every side of the box as well.

Bonus Tips

If your move feels too big to handle by yourself or even a few people, it probably is. Avoid headaches and mistakes by planning as best you can ahead of time; however much time that is.

If you like these tips and would like to read more, check out our blog. 

And if you’re looking for professional movers in the Colorado Springs, Salt Lake, San Antonio, or Cheyenne area, fill out our form for a free quote today.