5 Tips for Moving with Kids

The joys of being a parent can never be overstated. Kids bring an indescribable amount of fulfilment into our lives and we naturally want to spend as much time with them as possible. However, sometimes that is easier said than done. When you’re getting ready for a local or long distance move, it can be difficult to find a productive way to involve the kids. The trick is knowing when and how to get the kids involved. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of experience moving families and we know what it takes for you and the kids to have a stress-free move. Here are a few tips for moving with kids.

1. Pack and organize at night.

   Anyone who’s ever tried to put a toddler’s toys away while in their presence knows how important it is to pack at night. You’ll have a much easier time packing if you don’t have to deal with an upset child who just wants to play. If you pack everything little-by-little, night-by-night, your kids will barely notice the difference. If you have older kids, then assign them one box per night to pack on their own. This will help take some the stress from you and help get them involved in the move.

   You’ll also want to give yourself plenty of lead time when packing with kids. We all know that when you have kids, everything tends to take a little longer than it used to. With that in mind, we recommend giving yourself at least twice the amount of time then you think you will need to pack. If you have two weeks’ worth of packing to do, start a month early.

2. Ask for help with the kids.

   Trying to keep a partially-packed home childproof is very difficult. It’s usually much easier and more efficient to find some help in the form of a babysitter on moving day. If you have any friends or family that are willing to help with the move, have them babysit instead of helping pack.

3. Sell items online.

   While packing and preparing to move, you’re likely to come across a few items that you no longer have any use for. Your first instinct may be to have a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items, but you may want to rethink that. It will be much easier and less time-consuming to sell your unwanted items online by using Craigslist or EBay. This way, you can find buyers for your belongings without having to work a garage sale into your busy moving schedule. Remember to donate any items that can’t be sold to those in need once you move out.

4. Surprises.

   This is a great way to ease the kids into a transition that can otherwise be very hard for them. Plan a special stop at their favorite restaurant or purchase a new toy for them to open once unpacked. A pleasant surprise can be a useful distraction for kids and a boon to parents who want to remain stress free.

5. Say goodbye to your old home.

   The old home farewell tour is an underutilized but excellent way to ease a young mind through a big transition. Take your kids through your old home, room-by-room, once everything is packed and you’re preparing to leave the keys behind. Letting them see the home without the family belongings in it is a good, non-jarring way to show them things are changing.

Moving can be a challenging and confusing time for kids but with these five tips, you should be able to help them through it. For moving tips, remember to check back on our blog page.