Moving: The Biggest Adventure

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We have moved several times in the last 10 years. We started in Atlanta where Matt (hubby) is from and where we met. I went to Spelman College in Atlanta and purchased my first home there as well. So it was bittersweet leaving.

When Anaya was almost 2, we moved to Washington D.C., which is where I’m from. My entire family including parents, siblings, and extended family live there now. We stayed in The DC area for 6 years and had three more babies. Within that time we lived in DC, Silver Spring, and Germantown. 

Two years ago we moved to Colorado.

So we have moved a lot. No, we’re not in the military. But we are interested in showing our kids as much of the world as possible so when an opportunity to go to a new city presented itself, we excitedly took it.

Moving is not easy. Moving with kids is definitely not easy. However, there is a way to make moving more of an adventure for everyone and less of a burden.

Here are some tips to help you manage a move with little ones and make it more fun for the whole family:

1. Start talking to your children early.
Start at least a month before the move and explain where you’re going. Start learning about the new neighborhood, especially if it’s in a new city, state, or country. Go to the library and get books about the new place. Watch youtube videos about the new area. If possible visit the new home and neighborhood playgrounds and libraries. Really help them visualize what it’s going to be like to live there. So when it’s time to start the more intense work of moving, they’re already comfortable and excited.

2. Declutter.
The less you have, the less you have to pack. It’s a waste of time and energy to pack things you know you won’t use in the new home. Let it go and make your load lighter. Get the kids involved in this process. Ask them is there anything they would like to let go of. Don’t rush them. A lot of times, kids will say no initially. But once you start decluttering and talking about how fun it is, they usually join in.

I like to start the decluttering process about 1-2 months before the move so you have time to rest before then beginning to pack.

3. Outsource.
Don’t do it all on your own. Trust me. This makes moving so much harder than it has to be, especially if you have little ones. Start lining up help the moment the move becomes definite. You can began making calls months in advance of your actual move.

Then start thinking through these questions.

Who can watch the kids while you pack? Who will help with the packing? What moving company are you going to hire? How long before you have to vacate the old home? Who will clean the old home once you vacate?

Give yourself extra time because the last thing you want to do is feel burnt out during your move. The key to a smooth move is giving yourself more time than you think you’ll need.

If you’re looking for a moving company in the Boulder area, check out Taylor Moving and Storage, LLC.

4. Have a plan.
When are you going to start packing? What day is moving day? Where will you sleep while you get beds set up and things unpacked in the new house? What fun activities can the kids do on move day and who can take them?

Mark Moving Day on your calendar. Reverse engineer the process. Put together a rough plan that includes a timeline of when you will start tasks and how long the task will take. There can be surprises when moving, but this timeline will at least give you a base of how things will flow.

5. Plan rest.
When you have kids, you can’t go until you exhaust yourself. Yes moving is hard. Yes moving will be tiresome. But if you plan in advance, you can build in days to rest. Schedule a massage, get in a few naps, and give yourself more time than you need to ensure you have time for planned and spontaneous time to rest.

Moving can be a great adventure. Follow these tips, and you’ll be fine.

If you are moving in the Boulder, Longmont, or The Front Range, check out this Boulder Moving Company.

One last thing to keep in mind is your kids, your family, or you may have an emotional reaction to the move. Allow whatever comes up and talk about it. Depending on how far you’re moving, this is to be expected. Help your kids talk through their feelings and ensure you’re being transparent about yours.

Happy Moving!

What are some of your best moving tips to make the transition easier?