You have dreamed of this day. You have found the perfect house and are ready to make it your own. There is just one huge thing standing in your way – MOVING. The thing that every person dreads and it is like a dark cloud looming over you. And now you’re not only moving yourself, but you’re moving with a baby, toddler, young child, or multiple children. Well don’t worry! We have a list of 6 ways to make moving with children hassle-free!
1. Enlist Help
Don’t be a hero and ask for help! This isn’t just helpful for you, but for your child(ren) as well. When you are in the packing stages have grandparents, friends, or other family lend a helping hand and keep your child busy at the house or treat your children to a day out with them. Planning a move and packing is a lot easier when you are not shuffling around with a toddler or trying to keep a school-age child entertained!
2. Make sure there is safety and familiarity Among the Chaos
Make sure you use every possible safety precaution while moving. Also, try and keep the child’s routine as close to normal as possible. There are so many things that you need to be conscious of before, during and after your move. Here are several that you should consider:
Before:
- During packing, make sure to keep all materials out of reach. This includes packing tape dispensers, markers, and sharp utensil used for boxing items.
- Have a staging area if possible. If you have an extra room, guest room, or some other activity room that you can close off, use that as an area for your packed belongings. Once you pack a box, put it in this area to get it out of the way and out of the grasp of little hands.
During:
- Like we have said before, enlist help. Have someone watch your child while the move is going on. Or, have one of the parents spend the day at a fun place with the child so that they don’t have to be a part of the chaos of the move.
- Try and keep their schedule in place. If they nap at noon, try to have them somewhere to sleep during that time. The consistency will help to keep them calm and probably transition much easier to a new place.
After:
- Once moved in, try and get your child’s bedroom furniture set up first. They will feel a lot more at home with this completed before their first night in a new place. If you are moving with a young baby, try to place things in similar places in comparison to their old room. This will help them to feel more comfortable in a new environment.
- Even though you have a lot of unpacking to do, make spending time with your child the priority. Try to do a little at a time at first. You have forever to make this house a home. Your child needs a lot of reassurance and love during this transition!
3. Treat your child
Be sure you buy several new things for your child(ren) so that you can “treat” them every so often. This doesn’t have to be an expensive gift. Instead purchase several things from a Dollar Store (or dollar section at Target) and bring them out when you feel your child needs a new distraction. They will be so excited that you thought to buy them a gift during this hectic time. It helps them to feel important and special!
4. Clean, Clean, Clean!
Again, if you have a weekend (or two) before you need to move in, try to clean the house. You never know how often the previous owners cleaned! Try to do a deep clean of the house, not just a surface clean to remove the dirt you see. Remove vents, dust walls and ceilings (and ceiling fans), move appliances, and take apart radiator covers (if needed). It is the perfect opportunity since you have nothing to move around or try to avoid. If you don’t have the time to do it yourself, hire a cleaning company in your area to do a deep clean of your new house!
5. Baby-proof in advance
If you have an opportunity to close on your house before you need to move in, do the necessary baby-proofing prior to your child being in the home. It will be one less thing that you have to concerned about once you are living there. Put up baby gates, attach cabinet and drawer locks, and cap the electric plugs. Even if your child is going to be with you while you move, at least you know that they can’t have access to those things!
6. Make Smart Decisions Regarding Renovations
Research what you really would like in your home and DON’T choose something impulsively. You will regret decisions if you do not think them through! If you are dead set on hardwood floors but don’t have the money to install, don’t settle for cheaper carpet! Wait until you can save for the floors instead of making a rash decision. Don’t just think about cost either, think about what chemicals and substances are in your choices. Be sure to look into the ways that you are changing your home to see the environmental impact as well as the impact on you and your family.
Congratulations on your new home! Whether you are moving as a new family or have several children in tow, you are about to make amazing memories. Even though it is a hectic time, take moments to enjoy and appre
ciate this time together!
Photo credits: Jessica N.
