The experience of moving homes is something that can be shared with Kids… I have shared 10 tips for moving to a new home with kids.
A place you call your own a “HOME” and to set up your home along with kids is an exciting and time-consuming experience. Yes, you can do without the kids when moving house, but making them a part of it is important, as it is a transition phase for them too.
Moving house from one place to another was not that easy even though we were not moving to another country. Since we had no help to look after them, our children were ready to offer all the help they could while we were packing.
We started with a little bit every day a month ago, and we were busy packing and arranging everything into boxes. At the same time, we were
going through an emotional phase of leaving our home of six years and many more memories we have builtover the years in this house.
going through an emotional phase of leaving our home of six years and many more memories we have builtover the years in this house.
Even though it was a rented house, all these years we called it our home and fell in love with it at first sight. A high rise in the centre of the city in close proximity to everything — and imagine yourself on the 36th floor!
Involving the kids
If you have kids, then do involve them while packing and moving house as it gives them the sense of a responsibility. My son was quite excited while packing that every day he would ask, “Do you want me to help?” The first thing he started on were books so that he wouldn’t miss out on any.
Moving house is another good time to de-clutter. This was the time when we realised how much unwanted stuff is lying about.
Here are some of the key points that have helped me while moving house. There will be many more good tips which we can add to it to
make a move an enjoyable and memorable experience.
make a move an enjoyable and memorable experience.
1. Identify unnecessary stuff lying in your home. Trust me half of the things which goes to storage are the ones which we never open or use.
2. Donate those clothes, toys, bed-sheets, kitchen items which you have not used. Charity organisations even arrange for home pickup.
3. Don’t take everything from your earlier home to the new one. Otherwise, you won’t have any space in the new home too, as you will be tempted to buy new things.
4. Arrange or pack the boxes as per your needs. You can even tag the important ones like medicines, kitchen stuff and toiletries. Otherwise, you will be a bit lost in those umpteen boxes.
5. Make a separate box for school books and uniform if your kids have to start school immediately after a move.
6. Number your boxes so that it is easier to count and track.
7. Mark the boxes as fragile and/or Stretch wrap (similar to Cling wrap) them. Convey this to movers while moving the boxes.
8. Don’t keep any important papers, valuable or cash in any of the boxes for moving. Better take a luggage and carry them along with you.
9. If you are not familiar with the new neighbourhood, better take some of the necessary grocery or household stuff along while moving.
10. Always write or label the boxes front facing rather than top as when you have 50 boxes in the house, all will be stacked and you won’t get hold of one single box out of it.
Following the above points made moving house easy, except for when we were too tired. But still, we were dancing with joy.
Happy moving!
** This article is written by me for TheAsianparent Singapore and
originally published on their website. I am republishing it here.
originally published on their website. I am republishing it here.
I can't imagine moving to a new home now, there are so many things to pack!!
Moving to a new home is such a milestone – glad the kids were happy to help out. There's just so much to go through, pack and prepare, I'm sure! Happy moving! 🙂
Oh gosh.. I hate moving. I've moved three times since my husband and I got married. Twice when I was pregnant with each kid. We will be moving again in 2 months time and I really dread it! I wouldn't want to involve my kids because they are so young. I'll make sure they are in school during the move and I'll handle it myself this time. haha Welcome to your new home!
Thanks for sharing! Moving is the most stressful task! I think I must've moved many times in my life.
I've moved many times as a child and I loved it every single time. New home, new beginnings. I haven't done it with kids though. Thanks for the tip to involve them in the moving process.
Great tips… I had my fair share of moving. The most difficult is moving from one country to another!
We just moved in Nov 2015 and I can identify with many of the tips here. I involve the kids to pack their own books and toys, and in deciding what to declutter. So thankful it's all over now 😀
Talk about feelings. Encourage children to express their emotions, their hopes and fears, and respond with understanding. Expressing your own feelings in healthy ways can help them recognize they are not alone. If they resist opening up to you as a parent, try to provide some opportunities for them to talk with family or friends they may feel more comfortable confiding in. They might also want to express their feelings through other avenues like stories or poetry, art, music or physical activities.
Justin@MovingBoxesBrisbane
Have a collection of kid’s toys and ‘special’ items on-hand. Make these items easily accessible. This go-to box will come in handy and make everyone feel at home quicker.
Robert@PackingBoxesNewcastleMaitland
Moving houses can be a tedious process. I lived in a dormitory when I was in college, since then, I have moved from one place to another. I can imagine the additional tasks if it involves the whole family.
Its never easy to move to another house. Unless you will buy everything for brandnew. That you only need ti bring are your important documents and some photos, lol
I remember when we transfer our home and my two kids are still small. I need to carry my youngest one, while the eldest is on my left hand. It's very hard because I need to put them to bed early in order to arrange our things as quickly as I could.
If you are moving alone, it could be easy. But with kids, then it might be a different situation. And I must agree the given tips.
I can't imagine moving to a different house with kids. It's going to be a bit more challenging than usual, I assume. Thanks for the tips!
We have moved houses five times now so we're familiar with the drill. Labeling boxes with names and count definitely helps.
Me and my family (2 little brothers) recently moved. It was a tough and grueling process but we had a lot of fun. I think your post of including the kids in the process of moving makes it a special experience and long lasting memory. I enjoyed your post. Thank you for sharing!
i moved house when i was ten, and it was a fun and exciting (yet disorganised and tiring) day! as a kid, it seems like you can see the goodness in any sort of situation.
Moving home is such a big task! Especially with kids around. It is good to involve them in the process and be a part of the experience.
I think moving homes is exciting. It could also be tiring but it's an experience that I think kids will cherish. The process promotes the importance of being organized.
Moving home is a lot of work and stress. I have experienced it a few times and I know how it feels. Before moving I did throw out lots of stuff, sell some of them and also donated it to others. Then only start packing those I really need and wanted take with me.
It's good to give kids sense of responsibility at a young age to get them helping around the house indirectly. Reminds me that i still need to pack up alot of my stuff before end of feb 🙁
These are great tips. Just in time because I'm moving to a new home very soon. My son is still very young though to understand the situation. But I prefer moving while he's very young that having hard time later on.
Thanks for sharing such an important post! And it sure does give kids a sense of responsibility. Great going!
The last time we moved, so many things got lost. We should be more organized the next time. But I hope we do not have to.
I don't prefer to move home a lot.Anyway I appreciate for your useful post,thank you.
Wow. I've moved to different towns with different jobs, but never with kids.
But my sis recently moved and she has 2 little gals and yeah, I can imagine the chaos!!!
It really helps to have kids involved in the packing and sorting. It's really good to sort items as its great to de-clutter your stuff.
I remember when my family had to move house 16 years ago, I was 12 back then and the experience was not exactly enjoyable as my parents were irritable and frustrated. This is a good tip for me to see in future!
Letting your kids do these things is teaching them how to be responsible too, especially in handling their things and keeping their room always organize and clean.
A great piece of writing. Yes moving house is a real milestone and something that take a lot of planning and hard work. Including your kids is a great way to keep it a family affair. My children are now too old and live by themselves so my wife and I have to do it ourselves. Great blog. Thank you.
Martin Moran @ Buyers Agent San Antonio
[…] 10 tips for moving to a new home with kids […]