Ask anyone if moving is easy and they are guaranteed to say no. Then ask them what moving with kids that are still young is like and you will get a mixture of eye rolls, sarcastic laughs, and genuine concern. Yes, moving with the kids to a new town can be challenging, but I am here to alleviate some of that burden with my week by week guide below.
Week 12
Week twelve is all about sitting down and coming up with a plan of action. This is essential not only to the adults in the family so they can get an idea of what jobs need to be done, but also to give the kids a sense of what will be happening in the lead up to the move. Something that can make a massive difference to them and make them feel like there are involved and make the transition easier.
Week 9
Week nine is all about actioning some of the early tasks of your plan. These will usually include cleaning out the home of any unnecessary clutter, as well as starting to pack non-essential items. Think ornaments, decorations and pictures here, as well as other things that are not in use day to day.
Get the kids involved as, much as possible, by allowing them to pack some of their items, even if it’s just soft toys.
Week 6
Week six is the time that you need to start thinking about which local moving company you will choose to use. Of course, it’s always a good idea to check online reviews, and it’s even better if you have a word of mouth recommendation. After all, you will want a mover that is entirely focused on the job and offers excellent service so you are freed up to take care of the kids and their needs on what can be a very emotional day.
Good movers are essential.
Week 3
Week three is all about the administration jobs such as letting all your friends and family know about your change of address. Don’t forget to inform official institutions either, including the post office, and your utility providers.
Also, start to plan some get-togethers, and you can even throw a party that will allow the kids to make their goodbyes positively.
Week 1
Lastly, week one it’s all about doing the tasks that are left. This means defrosting the freezer, as well as dismantling any furniture that you want to take with you.
The last week can be a tough time for the kids because their home environment is in flux and as parents we can get busy. To alleviate this be sure to provide them with lots of entertainment in the form of coloring books, and games that aren’t dependent on resources that are already packed. Check this video on some games to play with the kids!
Also make the time to have a meal in the old house to allow them to say goodbye, as this can help the move itself go a lot more smoothly on the day of the move.
Henry Collins says