Moving house is widely acknowledged to be one of the most stressful things you can do to yourself – and that stress gets exponentially worse when you’re moving with kids! The process of packing up your home, cleaning for the new owners/tenants, sorting out paperwork and all the rest of it is overwhelming enough already, and kids (especially young kids) are rarely helpful. Your mental health can take a huge hit if you don’t have some stress-reduction strategies. So, to help you out, here are five relatively simple ways to make moving house easier – even if you have kids!
- Plan and Prepare
Thorough planning is absolutely key when it comes to moving home. Start by listing out every task that needs to be done. Don’t forget to include all the utilities that need to be notified, items to be packed, people to inform, van leasing deals to check for moving day, cleaning tasks for when you’re on your way out, and so on. Use online organisational tools or traditional pen and paper, whichever works best for you. Most importantly, try, if you can, to get as much of this done in advance as possible. That way, you’ll give yourself a clear run at the actual packing and moving, without having to worry too much about last-minute admin or other extras.
- Start Early and Declutter
Don’t just organise your moving admin in advance – try to begin the decluttering as soon as you can as well. It’s good to have plenty of time to decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away – especially if you’ve got kids who may take a while to get into the decluttering spirit. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it (although kids may need some persuading to see it this way!)
- Make it a Family Activity
Involving children in the move can help to dissipate their anxiety about changing homes and surroundings. It can turn a potentially traumatic experience into an adventure instead. Assign age-appropriate tasks to them, like packing up their toys or colour-coding boxes. For younger kids, turning decluttering into a game can work wonders. The key is to involve them in the process in a fun, stress-free way.
- Pack Smartly
The way you pack can significantly ease the moving process. First, pack room by room, starting with the least used rooms. Make sure to label each box with its contents and which room it should go to in the new house. This will make unpacking and setting up your new home a lot easier. Also, pack a ‘first day’ box with essential items like toiletries, a change of clothes, basic cooking utensils and important documents. This will help you to settle in without having to rummage through numerous boxes.
- Take Care of Yourself
Lastly, but just as importantly, take care of yourself and your family throughout the process. Relocating can be emotionally and physically draining. Make sure that everyone is eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks to relax and unwind. Treat yourself to a fun family outing or a simple movie night to keep the spirits high. If it helps, remind yourself of the lovely, comfortable home you can create in the new space.
So, even though moving house can be tough, especially with kids in tow, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With careful planning and smart strategies, you can save your sanity and emerge on the other side (in the new place) without too many frazzled nerves!
