Planning a move is difficult and stressful enough for adults — let alone the kids. You may feel like you have every aspect of your upcoming move down pat, from the logistics to the packing. However, you may have left out one small detail: how will you accomplish all that with the kids underfoot? Check out these tips to keeping them involved or out of the way so you can be more efficient.
Prepare Them
The first step is to sit down with your kids and let them know what to expect. They will have questions and fears, so do your best to answer them honestly yet succinctly. Tell them how long the whole thing will take, what they can expect in their new place, and what role they can play in all of it. Write out a chart to designate jobs to each kid. One may be in charge of packing, while another may be in charge of labeling or bubble wrapping, says Parenting Squad. Tell each child to go through their rooms and organize, throw out, and pack up. Older children can be a huge help come moving day, so put them to work! Most likely, they will enjoy having a role in the moving process.
Time Your Tasks
If you have very small children, it’s safe to assume they won’t be much help on the day of moving and may actually get underfoot — literally — while you are trying to work. Take care of a lot of the packing and prepping in the days leading up to the move by waiting until nap time or bed time to de-clutter. This will also help you get rid of some of their things that they don’t play with anymore — without the wails and complaining and crying.
Pack a Special Bag
Kids often have a hard time leaving their home for a new one, especially when they’re too young to understand what’s happening. Pack them a special bag that’s all theirs, containing their favorite toy, book, snacks, games and music to comfort them throughout moving day. In the same vein, pack your “survival” box last in the truck or van so it’s ready to be pulled out right away at your destination. This box should contain:
- Toilet paper
- Utensils
- Paper plates
- Granola bars
- Cereal
- Comfort items
- Toys
- Prescription medications
- Toiletries
- DVD players and movies
- Cleaning supplies
Distraction
Even the most well-planned residential moves can run into stressful last-minute snafus. You’ll be running around trying to get things done and small children aren’t always conducive to this rushed pace. You may want to enlist the help of an older neighborhood child or teen to keep your child occupied with activities, preferably outside away from the action. Or, hire a babysitter and have them take your kids for the entire day. Day camps are also another alternative.
Give Moving PRoz in Kansas City a Call
Dealing with the stress of moving day is lessened when you enlist the help of professionals who handle the process with ease. Contact us at one of our three convenient locations: Overland Park, Lawrence, or Kansas City. We would be happy to provide you with a free online moving estimate to help you plan your move from start to finish.