10 (Must-Know) Tips For Parents Moving With Kids

1) Start packing early

Moving can be such a stressful time for parents and kids alike. It's easy to get caught up in the intense preparations that go into moving, but it is important you don't forget about your sanity! The best thing any parent can do to stay sane during this process is to start packing early; before you even think of hiring a mover or making plans on where you are moving to.

This way your children can get involved in the process too which will make them feel like their opinion matters and they have some control over what happens next. Once everyone is on board with the idea of a move it becomes much easier for parents to come up with game plans that work best for all.

2) Get boxes from a moving company

One of the biggest expenses you will incur when moving is all of those boxes needed to transport your belongings. There are several ways that you can get these boxes for free, including asking family and friends or even checking with local businesses in your area that receive deliveries regularly.

If neither of these options works for you, consider purchasing used boxes from a moving company. This is one of the most affordable and practical ways to get boxes for your upcoming move, just be sure that you buy them at least two weeks before so they have time to properly break down all of those boxes!

3) Pack up rooms together to save time

The best way to make moving with kids seem like an easy task is by packing all of your belongings together.

Moving with kids might seem like a daunting task, but the best way to make it easier is by packing all of your belongings together. The more organized you are during this time the less stressful everything becomes.

Pack up rooms that are used frequently first so that everyone can get into practice unpacking those items once you reach your new home. If you leave your bedroom or office until last you're going to have a much harder time packing everything up as neatly as possible.

For those moving with kids, it might be difficult for them to understand why they can't play in certain rooms yet…but just explain that this is part of the process and once we are at our new home then everyone will be able to explore the new environment.

4) Create a checklist for packing with your kids

To make moving easier on everyone in the family, create checklists with your kids for packing up each room.

Moving is always easier when everyone has a part to play, so creating checklists with your kids for packing up each room will make the process more effective. This way they know exactly what needs doing and parents can focus on other important tasks at hand like organizing belongings or communicating with movers.

If you don't think that this approach will work with your children, then consider splitting up the tasks between everyone.

When moving with kids it is important to remember that they will be affected by this change as much as you are so involving them in all aspects of the process will not only make things easier but also help create a sense of calm and security for those involved.

5) Keep their routine as normal as possible

Kids are very good at picking up on the moods of those around them, so if parents are stressed about this move then they will be more likely to experience some form of disruption too.

The best way that you can avoid any arguments or tears from your children is by keeping their routine as normal as possible during this process. That means getting them to school on time and making sure they have access to their toys, clothes, etc.

This is a very important part of moving with kids because it will help them see that everything is going to be okay even if the situation looks quite dire from an outsider's point of view.

6) Prepare them for change ahead of time by talking about what's going to happen when they get there

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Preparing kids for change will help them adjust better when the time comes. And by bringing up what they can expect beforehand, you're allowing them to process it and feel comfortable before moving day arrives instead of having something new-sprung on them which may make things even more difficult for both of you.

Set aside some downtime before their new school year to go through all the stuff they'll need to take with them, including homework and sports equipment.

The beginning of a new school year is exciting for kids but also stressful as it brings about lots of change in their lives (i.e., new teachers, classmates, etc.). Make time before this important day arrives to get organized and make sure they have everything they need for their new school year.

Explain all the benefits of moving to a new home and highlight some rewards that will come from this change.

Instead of focusing on what may be hard about moving into a different house (new neighborhood, fewer friends), explain to them all the benefits that will come from such a move and highlight some rewards they'll get for making this change.

Make sure you're prepared ahead of time by knowing how long it's going to take, where everything is going.

Moving day can be hectic and it's important to know what you're doing before such a big change happens so that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row by knowing how long the move will take, where everything is going (i.e., boxes into which rooms; who's taking what furniture), and so on.

Allow them to express their feelings about the move, even if they're negative at first.

It's natural for kids to feel upset when you tell them your family is moving into a new home or they learn that you've decided to sell the old one. Let them express their feelings about this big change, even if they're negative at first (i.e., angry; sad), and assure them that you understand what they're going through by letting them know it's okay to feel the way they do.

Encourage your kids to ask questions so that all of their concerns are answered before moving day.

Encourage your kids to ask questions about the move so that they feel their concerns are being addressed and answered before moving day arrives. When a child knows what's going on, it can make them more at ease with change as opposed to having something new-sprung on them which may be even more difficult for both of you.

7) Get organized and make a plan

As mentioned earlier, moving is very stressful, and being organized ahead of time can help to alleviate this stress. Draw up a list of what needs moving alongside the people who will do it so that you're not scrambling around at the last minute trying to figure out how everything is going to get done. If possible, hire some professionals to take care of the packing, transporting, and unpacking so you don't have to worry about any of this.

8) Pack all children's clothes in one box or bag so they don't get mixed up with other belongings

It can be very frustrating for children if their clothes get mixed up with everyone else's belongings, so pack all of the kids' stuff in one box or bag. This should help them feel a little more at ease as they'll know exactly where to find what they need from day to night and won't have to worry about digging around trying to find their favorite shirt.

9) Label each child's toy boxes or containers so they can easily identify them when unpacking at their new home

Labeling each child's toy boxes or containers can be a great way of helping them to figure out where everything they need is located when unpacking at their new home. This will make it much easier for your kids as opposed to having all the different toys mixed together in one big pile, which may cause some confusion and frustration on their part.

10) Make sure each child has access to his/her favorite blanket, pillow, comfort toy, etc., during the move.

When you're moving with your children, it's important to make the transition as smooth as possible for them. After all, this is a very difficult time in their lives that they didn't choose or ask for. Yet somehow, you're making the choice for them - whether consciously or not - and now you have to live with it!

The easiest way to do this is to pack everything that's important to them, including their favorite blanket. Then on moving day, do your best to have it in the same place they're used to seeing it - ideally right where their crib or bed was.

If you can't get away with doing this without upsetting other family members who are helping out, then at least take time to carefully pack it up and bring it along with you. Stash it in the car for now, then find a discrete place (a closet is usually best) where they can go during times of stress or fatigue to retrieve their "security blanket."

We hope that these 10 tips for parents moving with kids will help make your move easier. If you have an upcoming move, BoxStar Movers are here to help! Whether it's residential or commercial relocation, our team of professionals is ready and willing to take care of all the details so you can focus on getting settled in your new home. Make sure to contact us today at (203) 843-9181 if you need any assistance with packing up your belongings or planning out logistics like storage locations. And don’t forget about hiring professional movers when they are needed!

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