Moving is tough enough when you are on your own. It gets more complicated with children in the picture. However, it’s possible to simplify the task with some planning. All you have to do is sit down, breathe deeply, and make a plan.

Kids don’t have to interfere with the process. They can become little assistants. So if you don’t have an opportunity to send your children away to summer camp while you move the house, this checklist can simplify the process tremendously.

Read on and take notes.

1. Prepare Your Children for the Move

Any move is stressful for adults. It’s even more bothersome for children. Kids get used to things quickly and have a tough time letting go. Unless you are staying in the same neighborhood, children would have to switch schools and leave their friends. So you have to be careful when talking to them about the upcoming move.

Try to make the relocation appear exciting. Find good stuff that is bound to happen when you move. For example, the child may get his or her own room or there is a bus stop conveniently located nearby for easier transportation to malls and other entertainment.

Make sure to start talking to your kids at least a month before the move. This way they’ll have time to get used to the idea.

2. Declutter When They Are Away

Decluttering is one of the most important steps to take before the move. We tend to collect numerous items in our houses, which we don’t really need, from a dozen pants and shirts that might fit “when we lose (gain) weight” to useless Christmas gifts from co-workers.

To ensure the move goes smoothly, take a large garbage bag and fill it with useless stuff from your closets. Don’t spend time and money moving it from one house to another.

As we already know, children get attached to things much more than adults do. Your kid may have ignored the little statuette on the fireplace for years. But once you start stuffing it in a  garbage bag, you may face hysterics. So ideally, do the decluttering when kids are away at school or friends’ houses.

3. Choose the Right Moving Company

Choosing the right moving company is an integral part of the process. When you are planning a move with children, you have to ensure movers know about it. Kids tend to run around and get in the way of movers. That’s why you have to be ready for the process to take longer.

Either consider sending kids away for the day of the move or find ways to entertain them why movers are doing their job.

Moving heavy items is a dangerous process, especially when children are around. When hiring a company, make sure it has proper tools for moving, such as dollies and ropes.

Call the company in advance to schedule the move. According to Torex Moving, if you are planning to move on a weekend, it may be tough to find a free company if you call less than two weeks prior to the move.  

4. Write Down the Timeline

Moving can be complicated if you don’t know where to start. So sit down and make a plan of the move. Schedule days for decluttering, removing things from closets, packing equipment, and so on.

When it comes to moving with kids, planning is often tough. Children tend to bring a little chaos into our lives. So it’s vital to create a timeline and talk to your kids about it. When they understand the importance of the situation, you could be surprised at how well they could help.

Turn the timeline into a game. Ask your kids to draw it for you. Involve children in the process so they start feeling responsible.

5. Sign Contracts

Before the move, you should think about different contracts with cable TV, long-distance carriers, internet providers, and the like. Once you move into a new home, your kids are likely to demand cartoons or internet connection for doing homework.

Try to deal with contracts at least a couple of weeks before the move. This way you can move into a new home and start feeling comfortable immediately.

6. Start Packing

When you are moving with kids, it’s important to start packing in advance. Consider dealing with children’s things last. They tend to need that “most important” toy at the most unexpected time.

You can start packing things you don’t need at the moment, such as seasonal clothing first. For items that you need on a daily basis, consider hiring professionals.

Even though professional packing increases the cost of the move, it helps you save plenty of time. Meanwhile, you don’t have to worry about finding packing materials.

Don’t forget to label all your boxes with colorful markers. Write on the side of the box rather than on top of it, because they get stacked on top of each other so the writing becomes invisible.

7. Get Enough Sleep

The best time to start moving with children is the early morning. Moves can take the entire day and end a long time after your kids should go to bed. That’s why you have to make sure everyone gets enough sleep. Otherwise, cranky kids could turn your move into a nightmare.

Start planning timely, and your move with children is likely to go as smoothly as possible. This checklist can help avoid mistakes along the way. Good luck!