Are you feeling overwhelmed by moving with kids? You’re not alone, but with our expert advice, you’ll feel amazed at how easy the process becomes.
As the top moving service in Sacramento and the surrounding areas, Auburn Moving & Storage can support you every step of the way. Whether you need our comprehensive checklist or help with packing and loading, we make the transition significantly easier.
Unique Challenges of Moving With Kids
Moving under normal circumstances can already feel overwhelming, but when you have kids, you must also protect their emotional health and guide them through the transition. As your child ages, moving becomes easier in many ways, but they’ve also formed stronger friendships they’re leaving behind.
No matter how many children you have or their age, proper planning is one of the best ways you can prepare them. Child involvement creates child excitement.
Comprehensive Checklist for Moving With Kids
From cultivating a family bond to ensuring emotional preparation, the following checklist provides all the advice you need for a hassle-free moving day.
Two Months
Ideally, you have enough time to start preparing two months before your move. At this point, your tasks should include the following:
- School research and transfer: At this time, start researching your schooling options at your new location and the community it serves and start the transfer process. Learning about the teachers, activities, and quality of the new school can help you prepare your children.
- Emotional preparation: Children can deal with a lot of things when the trusted adults in their lives explain what’s involved and the reasons behind it. Outline the timeline, empathize with their concerns and needs, and find a reason to show you’re excited about the move while acknowledging you’re sad to leave your home.
- Visual tour: Use your mobile device or computer to take a virtual tour of your new town using Google Maps or the town’s website. Pay special attention to nearby attractions your children will enjoy.
- Family planning: Involve your entire family in the planning and show your kids you take their suggestions seriously. Give them a list of tasks and also ask them to make a list of everything they’re looking forward to in the new city.
- Hire movers: The best moving companies fill up a few months in advance. Once you know you’re moving, do your research on the top movers in the area and start the booking process even if you don’t know your exact moving date.
One Month
The month before moving with kids, complete the following tasks:
- Verify documentation: Confirm your child’s school has the needed documents, your new job has started processing your information, and any other details you need ready for your arrival.
- Physical tour: Your kids will adapt better if you help them to become familiar with their new home. If possible, in the month before your move, drive or fly to your new town and take a physical tour. Point out exciting attractions, such as local parks and playgrounds.
- Pack essentials: By essentials, we don’t mean your toothbrush and a change of clothes, but rather your necessary documents such as birth certificates, medical records, and your marriage license. Make copies of these documents if you haven’t yet.
- Downsize: Regardless of whether you’re moving to a bigger or smaller home, now is a great time to downsize. If your kids have outgrown their clothes or their toys, sort and donate or sell things you no longer need. This helps streamline the moving process.
- Plan decorations: To enhance your family’s excitement for the move, start planning how you’ll decorate your bedrooms, family room, and other common areas.
One Week
Your one-week pre-moving checklist includes:
- Schedule a farewell party: A going away party can help your kids achieve the closure they need to move away from their established relationships.
- Deliver donations: If you haven’t already, deliver the items you’ve set aside for donation so they’re not in your way as you move.
- Create go-bags: Pack a bag for things for your kids to do in the car, a change of clothes, and any hygiene items you’ll need immediately, like a toothbrush.
- Pack toys: Wait until this time to pack your children’s toys, especially if they’re younger. If they’re anxious about the move, try packing their toys while they sleep.
- Organize and label: If you haven’t already, label and organize all your boxes. Consider taking pictures of what’s in the box so your kids know exactly what they’ll find when they open it.
- Schedule childcare: To help keep your children from getting underfoot, schedule childcare for moving days.
Moving Day
The essential moving-day logistics include:
- Final checks: Confirm you’ve packed every item and your boxes follow your organization system. Finish packing last-minute items like food, bathroom products, and bedding.
- Finalize documents: Sign any documents required by the moving company and make sure you have your ID available.
- Supervise: You’ve hired the best movers, so let them handle all the heavy lifting. You can take a quick breather while they load the truck, but remain available to answer any questions.
Weeks After
After you move, the following tasks can help you ease the kids into the transition:
- Establish priorities: Decide what to unpack first, prioritizing the items your kids have attachments to.
- Make introductions: Introduce yourself to your new neighbors, especially if they have kids that could become your child’s new friends.
- Contact old friends: To help maintain the continuity of friendships, help your kids write, call, or video chat with their old friends.
- Relax and enjoy: Prioritize self-care and relaxation so you can truly enjoy your new home.
Obtain Quality Help When Moving With Kids
Moving with kids doesn’t have to overwhelm your life, and it’s a chance to impart some valuable skills to your children. When it’s time to move, reach out to Auburn Moving & Storage. By taking on the bulk of the work, we leave you free to prepare your kids and look forward to your new life.
To obtain a free estimate, use our online request form or call (916) 786-8683.
