Moving home, especially with young children in tow, can be a particularly difficult time. With so many different things to think about – from how you are going to afford the move, to how you are going to decorate your dining room – it can be hard to get a little lost in the process.
With that in mind, here is a short checklist of things you should do before the move to ensure the process is as hassle-free as possible!
- Talk to your children.
When you are thinking about moving, you must involve your children in the conversation. Although the ultimate decision will lie with you, allowing them to voice their opinion can help make the move less frightening for them. It also means they are more prepared and will not be surprised when you announce the move. This gives them time to process their feelings and reduces the chances of them lashing out.
Put your children first.
Ask any parent. They will always put their children first, and any decision you make is already centred around them. Therefore, this should also apply to any decisions you make about moving. For example, if you are moving homes as you have been offered a new job, what does the new city offer your child? Ask yourself the following questions:
- What kind of education will my children get here?
- What activities can they take part in?
- Can they continue with their favorite hobbies here?
Pack sooner, not later.
Nobody enjoys packing. However, when you have a limited amount of time left in your current house, you can’t avoid it. Getting a head start on your packing is a great way to take some of the stress away from moving – as it means you will not be rushing as moving day looms closer.
If you want your children to get involved in the packing, why not turn it into a fun competition? For example, the first person to (safely) pack up their belongings gets a prize. Ensure you help them with any items that could be broken or easily damaged, however!
Once you’ve packed, you should also do your research to ensure that you hire the best cross-country movers to meet your needs. North American Van Lines are always a good choice and offer a range of services, including:
- Full-service packing
- Packing materials sale
- Fragile-only packing
- Custom crating
- Moving services
- Debris removal
- Short and long term storage
- Keep your records in check
As you are moving, you will need to register yourself and your children at a new medical practice, alongside finding a place for your kids in school. This means you should ensure you have up to date records for everyone in your family, including:
- Medical records/reports
- Prescriptions (You should also ensure you have enough medicine on hand until you can make an appointment with your new doctor)
- Dental records
- Optometrist records
- School records
Although keeping paper copies is useful, you should also store these records digitally, in a secure place so that you will always have easy access to them when you need them.
(Cover Image Source: Unsplash)