Moving with Kids? Here are 3 Simple Steps for Saving Your Sanity

Today’s post is a guest post from Daniel Sherwin from dadsolo.com.

Life transitions are tough. Moving can be one of the most difficult transitions we experience in our adult lives. If you’re a parent, you’ll have to deal with the stresses of the move while also watching over your children on moving day.

Are you feeling overwhelmed yet? If so, remember to pause, take a deep breath, and stay strong. Among the millions of people who move each year, there are countless other parents who’ve successfully transitioned into a new home with their children. Their families survived their moving day, and so will you.

Now that you’ve had a pep talk, here are some words of wisdom. The following time-tested strategies can make the moving process easier and less stressful for everyone in your household:

Plan ahead
Whether your children are toddlers, teenagers, or any age in between, you’ll want to save yourself some trouble on moving day by thinking ahead. Pack an “open first” box filled with essentials that you’ll need in order to start settling into your new home. Toiletries, pet supplies, baby bottles, a child’s favorite toy or game, and changes of clothing for each family member are all important items to include. To keep this box from getting lost in the shuffle, pack it a few days prior to the move, and have it waiting in an easily accessible spot in your new home, such as the kitchen counter.

While planning your moving day, don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. Whether you need a strong friend or relative to help you lift heavy boxes, or a grandparent to watch over the children and pets on moving day, asking for help from loved ones can be a great way to relieve stress during this hectic time.

Dealing with big emotions
Moving is emotional for everyone involved. Your previous home was a place where your family created lots of cherished memories together. Although you’ll undoubtedly create more beloved memories in your new home, it can be hard to say goodbye to your previous home.

Some children will feel sad or frustrated as the moving day approaches. As a parent, you might even experience these feelings yourself. Emotional outbursts  and regressive behaviors such as bedwetting might happen, especially if your family has been forced into a sudden, unexpected move. Heartbreaking as it is, allow your children to experience their emotions.

To avoid meltdowns, try to get your children involved in the move. Let them help you pack. Assign them small tasks leading up to the move (with rewards for completion). Invite them to help you decide what toys or clothing they’d like to keep, sell or donate.

If you’re moving long-distance, consider scheduling regular video calls with your child’s former playmates, babysitter, or other loved ones that your child might miss. After settling into your new home, try to maintain the routines and schedules that your family had before. This will make it a less difficult transition for your children. Over time, your family will start to settle into your new home.

Consider hiring professional movers
Nobody enjoys moving by themselves. If that were the case, we wouldn’t have to bribe our friends and families with pizza in order to help us on moving day. If you do have plenty of able-bodied friends and relatives who are ready and willing to assist, by all means, recruit them. However, when it comes to moving into a new home with your children, your time and sanity are also worth considering.

To take the stress out of a move, many parents opt to hire movers. Professional movers can handle the heavy lifting for you. They’ll help load and unload the moving truck, carefully transporting your belongings to your new home. Because this is something they do every single day, they’ve got plenty of practice in safely moving furniture and preventing damages or injuries. Take it one step further and plan your move when no one else is: according to HireAHelper, the least busy days of the week to move are Sunday and Monday, and the best time of year is November-March in Chicago. By hiring movers and planning your move when no one else is, you will consequently be able to focus on your family, your pets (if you have them), and getting settled into your new home.

Moving with children doesn’t have to sacrifice your sanity. It’s possible to take the stress out of your big move so your family can focus on getting settled into your new surroundings. Before you know it, you’ll be turning your new house into a beloved home.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay by PublicDomainPictures