This is a sponsored guest post.
Moving can be a challenge at any stage of life, but once you have kids it can make the process a bit more tedious. Not only is there more stuff to pack on top of your daily to-do list that puts War and Peace to shame, but getting your kids on board isn’t always an easy feat. Luckily, some planning is often all it takes to add some ease to the moving process. So whether you’re a first-time mom-to-be or a seasoned momma with a whole troop of kiddos, you don’t want to miss these 7 moving tips.
- Reconsider if Pregnant
Nancy Zafrani is not only the general manager of Oz Moving in New York, she is also a mom. And when we asked her for moving advice for moms that are pregnant, she simply said, “Don’t. If you can, consider holding off on moving until you aren’t pregnant.” However, for cases where this isn’t possible, there is no need to fret. Just be sure that you have lots of help, stay away from heavy lifting, and try to keep stress at bay—it’s a tall order, but a must to keep both mom and baby happy and healthy!
- Enlist Help
Even if you aren’t pregnant, you don’t have to tackle your move all on your own. The whole process will be a lot less stressful and shorter if you get a few helping hands. While professional movers are always an option, you may also want to ask friends and family if they are available for a couple of hours for one of these tasks.
Boxing: Get some help packing boxes. You never realize how much stuff you truly have until you have to pack it all away!
Moving: Grab some extra muscle for moving day to ensure everything gets moved efficiently and safely.
Childcare: Try to find someone to watch your kids for a few hours. This kid-free time can mean uninterrupted packing or some much-needed rest (see tip #7).
Listening: Sometimes venting about the hurdles of the moving process can go a long way. So don’t hesitate to give a friend a call or send them a text for a bit of chat therapy.
- Declutter
Take the time to go through everything from your makeup bag to the toy boxes. If you declutter before your move, you will have less to haul over to your new home and less to unpack. Plus, getting rid of unwanted or cheap furniture can also help lighten your moving load and make your move less expensive.
Start decluttering for your move by going through your home room by room. Donate or sell anything that isn’t needed and hasn’t been used in the past year. Also, trash items that are broken or unsalvageable. Want to get the kids involved? Try holding a yardsale. Older kids can get experience handling money, while younger children can help by putting price stickers on items and setting up tables.
- Keep Communication Open
Moving is hard, especially for kids. It means saying goodbye to their home, sometimes the only one they have ever known, and may also mean moving away from their friends and school. To help your kids adjust to the idea of moving, keep open communication with them throughout the process and let them know about the move early on. Once you break the news, if they aren’t fully understanding the concept or are feeling uneasy, you may want to try:
Picture Books: Younger children often haven’t gone through the moving process before, so all the unknowns can be scary. Take some of the mystery out of your move by reading them a few picture books about moving. Many explain moving homes using humor and pictures to help your child better understand, while also showing that the whole moving process isn’t something to fear.
A Preview Trip: Take the family on a tour of their new surrounds before the move so they can see it for themselves and get a firsthand feel for the area. Beyond visiting your new neighborhood, you may also want to swing by the kids’ new school and a few local parks in the area.
- Get Your Kids’ Opinions
Often kids have no say if a move happens or where they are going, so make sure you let them know that their ideas matter in other areas. To do this, ask for their opinion on smaller decisions for the new home—ones that you can easily follow through on. This may include:
Gardening: Ask them what they want to plant in the front flower beds or backyard vegetable garden. This also gives them an activity to look forward to in their new home.
Paint Color: Let them pick a new color for their bedroom. If they want their bedroom a color that you are uncomfortable with like black, then compromise by doing a single accent wall that color. Alternatively, you can negotiate by creating some kid-friendly abstract wall art that is predominantly black. Or, maybe consider purchasing a black duvet cover or another key accessory.
- Make it Fun!
Moving certainly doesn’t have to be a drag, especially with kids around. Make sure it is a fun and positive experience by taking the time to plan a few fun activities throughout the process. This may include:
- Printing a binder of car trip games for the ride to the new house.
- Throwing a bon voyage party in your old home to say goodbye to it.
- Setting up a tent in an empty room after moving in to get in some indoor camping.
There are endless activities you can plan for moving—you just have to get creative and make sure to schedule the time to do them!
- Take Time for You
Don’t deprioritize yourself. Take time to tend to both your mental and physical health during your move to stay healthy. This may include having a quick yoga session in the living room, remembering to eat right, scheduling an appointment with your therapist, taking some alone time to read, etc. After all, you deserve a break and that doesn’t change just because you have moving tasks added to your to-do list.
Lastly, know that you can’t control everything. Your move—just like everyone else’s—will have a few hiccups along the way. Just know you can get through anything your move throws at you. After all, the trials that come with moving are temporary—and they have nothing on the challenges that parenthood has already thrown at you. You’ve got this momma!
