MOVING WITH KIDS -A MOM’S GUIDE TO MOVING
As if moving itself weren’t an feat in itself, adding children to the task can make it seem impossible. Let me be frank, I have six children, I have moved 8 times in the past 12 years encompassing the East Coast (as well as a 3 year move to Hawaii) of the United States. I guess, I could be an expert at moving with munchkins. I have moved with infants, toddlers, as well as tweens and teens. I will outline a few things below but none nearly as important as the one major piece of advice I can give:
Keep Them Involved! If you can , take them house hunting, or have them “find houses” on real estate sites. Let them feel like they are a major part of the move.
For the Littles – I always read the many varieties of ” We are Moving” books available as well as coloring pages here’s a printable moving coloring page:
Other ways to keep them involved:
A. When you find the house you are going to buy – ask your real estate agent for the floor plan – have the kids arrange their room – where will the bed go? the dresser? rug? This is actually really fun. You can incorporate a measuring activity into it as well – will certain furniture fit, etc.
B. Have them plan a going away party – It will have them looking forward to something other than the actual feeling of moving
C. Create a scrapbook – take a picture of all the old rooms and write down your best memory that took place in each one.
D. Give them a really special box to pack – just for their most important items
Other Advice which is not nearly as important:
1. Pack a see-through bin for the first night at your new house that contains anything you may need for that first day at the new house. It’s kind of like a camping bag – it will contain TP, towel, toothbrush, snacks, sheets/cover, a few dishes/cups, money, iPad…
2. Your kids may be overwhelmed, it’s natural. And you probably will be too. If you can get someone to watch them during the actual move this may be a good idea. Older kids can help unpack boxes – just make sure you label what boxes they should be opening beforehand. One time my children started opening my boxes and they opened one that had their teeth from the “tooth fairy.” Imagine the surprise of my 8 year old who found a box of teeth – that needed lots of explaining!!
3. Whenever we moved somewhere we always got a large map of the area and put places that were close-by on it. For example when we moved to Orlando – we put Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens but also other places like “school.” “bank,” Whole Foods, etc.
4. Hire a great mover. Getting a good mover that comes on time and is organized with a professional crew is key. You don’t want to be stressed out at this time!
Your Friend,
Marie – Interstate Moving Coordinator Monster Movers ®
www.monstermovers.com