Moving can be an emotional project for anyone, but it can become a daunting task once you have a family. Although the adults may be excited about the move, it can seriously disrupt a child’s sense of security. Moving with children requires more planning, and there are many things parents can do to ease the transition.

Before the Move

• Once you have decided to move, actively involve your children. Don’t wait for them to overhear conversations that might worry them; make sure they understand where the family is moving to and why. Whenever possible, involve them in online house shopping and take them along to viewings.
• It’s normal to be stressed before a move, especially if it’s to a new city or for a new job, but your children will notice your emotions. Stay positive, and talk through any fears your children have about moving. Mark the calendar with your moving date and keep your children updated about the process.
• Visit your new home before the move, or take an online tour. Let your children pick their new room, and show them around the new neighborhood. This can help build excitement rather than fear.
• Resist the urge to promise new furnishings and decorations for their new rooms. Having familiar belongings in the new home can help children settle in more quickly. If you do need to buy new items for your child, involve them in making selections.
• Have a going away party for your current home and neighborhood. Invite their friends and ensure your children know they have plenty of ways to stay in touch with their friends.

When You Move

• Explain the moving process to your children. If professional movers will be coming to help you pack and move, explain the process. A visual timetable of the day and what is likely to happen when keeps surprises to a minimum.
• As you pack up your home, allow your kids time to pack their belongings as much as possible. Allowing them to pack last and helping them pack their things in special boxes lets them know their belongings have value.
• Keep some of their favorite toys or belongings with you in the car rather than in the moving van. It will help with the trip, and your kids will have something to play with while waiting to unpack at the new home. 
• Give everyone a job to do once you arrive at the new house. Even young children can help with moving and unpacking tasks. Have them unpack their room or help with easy chores around the house.

After the Move

• Take your children around their new town and neighborhood to show them the great things they’ll get to know. Find a park, bike through your community, visit the local library or a bakery. Introduce your children to the neighbors to help them feel at home in the new neighborhood.
• Help your children adjust to a new location by giving them time and space. As they adjust, encourage them to get involved in activities they have always enjoyed to meet new people.
• For adolescents, the hardest part of a move is leaving behind close friends. Friendships are usually critical to older children; teenagers, in particular, can feel isolated after moving to a new community. Signing your children up for extracurricular activities is a good way to help them meet people with similar interests. Signing up in advance helps them start making new friends faster.
• While meeting new people, encourage your children to stay in touch with old friends. Technology has given everyone the means to keep in touch, and even young children can utilize technology to stay in touch with family and friends. 

Stay Positive 

While it’s often necessary for adults to move for jobs or other reasons, it’s challenging for children to start over at a new school and make new friends. They don’t have a say in where they go or what they leave behind. Moving with children can be challenging, but a little preparation goes a long way. For additional suggestions, check out Parents.com for recommendations on easing the process for every age, from toddlers to teenagers. For packing advice, check out these suggestions from professional movers.

Many small and large things can go wrong during a move, but with some planning and preparation, you can ensure it’s as stress-free as possible. If you haven’t moved in a long time, you may be surprised at how long it takes to pack up your belongings. Even a short move across town can be time-consuming and costly. 

Between moving vans, fuel, and supplies, the cost of moving can quickly add up. According to data from Angi, the national average for a short-distance move is $1,400 and can be significantly more if you move out of state. It may be helpful to use a moving cost calculator to estimate what a move within your zip code could cost you.

When it’s time to move, you have several options to choose from – you can do the packing and move everything on your own, or you can hire someone to pack your belongings and move them. You can also pack your belongings and hire professional movers to load and unload them. Packing your household items allows you to declutter and will save you money.

Ten Packing Tips From Professional Movers 

1. Invest in Good Packing Boxes

Buy boxes designed for moving. These boxes can handle anything homeowners are likely to pack and won’t collapse like free boxes from the grocery store. You can buy packing boxes and supplies online or in most hardware stores. Make sure you have appropriately sized boxes for what you’re packing. Large boxes are for lighter items like towels, clothing, and bedding. Small boxes are for heavier items, including dishes and books. If you only have large boxes, you’ll fill the empty spaces with paper, waste packing materials, and valuable space in your moving van.

2. Don’t Pack What You Don’t Need

If you haven’t moved in a while, you might be surprised at just how much stuff you have accumulated! On average, each American household has 300,000 items, and many of those items are rarely used. Why pay to move things that you don’t need? Moving is a great time to declutter. Donate unused or unwanted items, give them away to family and friends, or have a yard sale, but don’t pack things you aren’t likely to use in your new home.

3. Start Packing Early

Professional movers estimate that for the average 3-bedroom home, you could spend 3-5 full days packing, assuming there are no delays and you have all the necessary boxes and packing materials. Anything you won’t need before your moving date should be packed ahead of time. This includes:

• Seasonal clothing
• Holiday decorations
• Guest rooms
• Basements, attics, sheds, and garages

4. Don’t Wait to Pack the Kitchen

The kitchen takes the longest to pack, primarily because of all the breakable items. Always stack dishes upwards, and avoid breakage by using boxes designed for glassware and dishes. Use bubble wrap or packing paper to protect china and other items rather than newspaper to prevent stains.

5. Don’t Leave Empty Spaces In Boxes

Fill in gaps with packing paper, clothing, or towels. Unbalanced boxes are harder to move and are more likely to collapse when stacked in a moving truck.

6. Don’t Mix Items From Different Rooms

Get enough boxes so that you aren’t mixing items from different rooms. It will make both packing and unpacking easier.

7. Use Wardrobe Boxes

It makes little sense to take clothes off hangers. Save time at both ends of a move by using special wardrobe boxes designed for hanging clothes.

8. Clearly Label Each Box

Label each box with the room destination and a brief description of the contents. This will help you, and your movers know where every box belongs in your new home. Number each box and keep an inventory list to track what you’ve packed and ensure everything arrives safely. Label the top and at least one side of the box to locate items more quickly.

9. Take Photos

Before you tape a box shut, snap a photo to keep a record of the contents. If you’re moving valuable items such as antiques, artwork, or electronics, make sure to document their condition before the move. Accurate photos of your belongings prior to the move will increase your chances of being reimbursed for loss or damage.

10. Keep All Important Documents in One Place

If you’re utilizing a professional moving company, it’s best to keep all of your sensitive documents in a safe place and move them yourself. This includes passports, social security cards, marriage licenses, insurance information, and any other personal information you don’t want misplaced, lost, or stolen.

Prepare a Moving Checklist

In addition to packing, there are many other things to take care of before moving into a new home. A thorough moving checklist will help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget anything. Here are just a few essential things to take care of:

Contact Your Service Companies

Contact all of your utility and service providers to cancel or transfer your services. Have the electric, gas, sewer, water, internet, phone, and trash services placed in your name and new address. Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, lawn, and other services at least one week before your move.

Forward Your Mail

Go to www.usps.com to have your mail forwarded. It’s best to allow at least two weeks’ notice. Your mail forwarding service will eventually expire, so remember to update your address with all of your important contacts. Contact your banks, credit card companies, doctors, family and friends directly to update them with your new address.

Get Moving Insurance

Accidents happen, so check to see if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers your items during the move. Adequate insurance coverage is essential for long-distance moves. If you’re handling the move yourself or the moving company you hire doesn’t offer coverage, look into moving insurance to protect your property.

Pack a First Day Essentials Box

Fill a clear plastic tub with the essential items you’ll need for the first few days in your new home. This should contain important things such as toilet paper, trash bags, cleaning supplies, toiletries, light bulbs, first aid supplies, pet supplies, and other essential items your family needs. Don’t forget to have water, snacks, and necessary medications readily available.

Hire Moving Help

Hire a moving company or rent a truck if you have much to move. Rental vans and trucks are busiest on the first and last of the month when most rental leases end, so reserve well in advance. If you plan to do it yourself, rent a truck with a ramp to make loading and unloading easier. Hiring a professional moving company is money well spent if you have a lot of heavy furniture and bulky boxes to load and unload.

Enjoy Your New Home!

Moving into a new home should be an exciting time for your family. With some upfront planning and organization, you can alleviate the stress of packing and moving and start enjoying your new home sooner. Your real estate agent is an excellent resource for planning your move. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice.