5 Useful Tips that Will Help You Lessen the Stress of Moving House with Kids

Whether you’re relocating to a new city or country or moving down the street, saying goodbye to your old home is never an easy feat. This is especially true when there are children involved.

This is when an already complex process of moving houses becomes even more challenging, and managing through the change can start to feel rather overwhelming. That being said, a couple of useful tips for managing moving stress can go a long way in making your moving experience less stressful and more enjoyable.

Make a list

Many parents make the mistake of keeping a mental checklist of the things that need to be done instead of simply putting everything on paper. With so many things to consider when moving houses, it’s easy for some important things to slip your mind, which only causes unnecessary stress.

Start by listing all the tasks that need to be tackled and creating a moving timeline. Next, write down the amount of time each of the tasks is going to take, and start preparing for a move early on. Start small, packing the items that aren’t used as often such as seasonal clothing and decor. Instead of leaving everything to the last minute and then panic-packing, start well in advance, making small progress every day. You’ll also want to think about things like moving your utilities over to your new address, and whether or not you are going to stay with your current internet provider or, having looked up internet providers near me in your new area, switch to someone who will be able to give you a better connection.

Include the whole family in the process

While stress is a normal part of the moving process, the transition can be especially challenging for the little ones. Relocating means leaving the school they went to and the friends they made there, which can result in them feeling like they have no control over the situation.

To minimize anxiety and help them cope more easily, try to include the whole family in the moving process. Keep kids occupied by letting them pack their personal items, especially the ones that give them comfort (a blanket or favorite toys). It’ll give them a sense of control while also letting them keep their security items close by.

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Delegate tasks whenever possible

Taking the stress out of the equation when moving houses is a matter of handing off certain tasks. With so many things on your moving checklist list and the pressure to stay on top of your daily tasks and work schedule, it’s easy for an already stressful situation to start to feel even more overwhelming. This is why you should try to delegate whenever possible.

Instead of tackling all the wrapping, labeling, packing, and moving on your own, ask yourself: are there any moving companies offering packaging services near me that I can hand these tasks off to? Professional movers will not only help with the loading, unloading, and transporting your belongings, but they will also eliminate a significant amount of work (read: stress) on your end by packing up all the items safely and properly.

Continue with your daily routine

Relying on professionals to handle all the heavy lifting doesn’t only leave more time in your schedule for the things that matter. It also lets you maintain your daily routine more easily, which is of crucial importance when moving houses with kids. Something as simple as sticking to usual bedtime and mealtime can help establish a sense of routine and structure amidst a chaotic process of moving houses.

Maintaining a sense of predictability and familiarity is even more essential for smaller children who thrive with routines. Aside from following a regular schedule, parents can also lessen the stress that their kids may feel by decorating the kids’ new room in the same way. This will help retain a sense of familiarity even when the family is relocating to a place that is hundreds of miles away.

Stay organized

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Losing important items or forgetting where you’ve packed your essentials is not going to make the moving process any easier, so do your best to stay organized. Organization is key when relocating, even more so when the process involves children. Stay on top of things by labeling everything, packing an essentials box, and keeping all the important documents (such as your passports, insurance papers, your new lease, and the contract you have with your moving company) in one place.

As an extra step, consider making electronic copies of all the important documents, just to be on the safe side. Remember to organize your utilities in advance as well and notify everyone who needs to know about your move (such as USPS and IRS).

Wrapping up

Moving houses is stressful and challenging, but don’t let it bring you down. Rely on these couple of tips to make the move easier for your family, eliminate the stress that usually follows the moving process, and make a smoother, easier transition to this new chapter of your life. Moving houses with kids is a complex and challenging process, but with some careful planning and organizing, you can ensure a low-stress, smooth transition.