Trying to move home is a stressful task at the best of times, but juggling being a parent at the same time just makes the whole thing feel like even more of a nightmare. Whether you have a child, toddler or baby to consider when moving home, we’ve got a few key considerations for when you do.
Safety
Firstly, the safety of your children has to be paramount. If you know there is a great risk of your child be injured during the move, you might want to consider having a family member or friend to take care of them for the day. A dedicated babysitter you can trust will put your mind at ease on the day.
Be sure not to leave any dangerous items lying around such as scissors and box cutting knives. Also, take care when stacking boxes, ensuring that if your child runs into them, they won’t come tumbling down.
Involve your children in the move
If your children are at an age where they can get involved in the packing process, let them help. Giving them something to do can help to prevent them getting up to mischief while you aren’t watching.
It’s also a good time to try and declutter all those toys and clothes, so have your children pack some of their own things, whilst asking them to choose some things to donate to charity. You can offer the incentive of them choosing their own room in the new house if you want to give them some control. This will help them feel like they’re a part of the move as opposed to having the move forced upon them.
Say goodbye to the old house
It can be upsetting for a child to feel like they’re losing their home. Many children become attached to a home if they have spent a lot of time in one place. It’s often hard for younger children to understand, but try to make your leaving a celebratory event.
Bid the old house a fond farewell, perhaps throw a mini party on your last evening to help them associate the move with something positive.
On moving day
If the kids are staying with you on the day of the move, make sure you have all of the big jobs taken care of. You probably won’t be able to keep your eye on them the whole time, so try to keep some of their toys out and have them stay in one room while you get some of the important things done.
Keeping aside some drinks and snacks is important, as you never know when they’ll be hungry or thirsty. This way you can avoid any tantrums and keep the little ones refreshed throughout the day. If you have a newborn to look after, ensure you pack a 48 hour essentials bag, with everything from formula to wipes.
Getting settled
It’s easy to forget that your child might still be in a state of upheaval even once you’ve arrived at the new house. You can help them settle by keeping to any routine they’re in, including unpacking their rooms and ensuring they get to sleep in their own bed straight away.
A quick tour of the area – especially if there is anything exciting nearby – will help them to take in their surroundings more easily. Try giving them their favourite meal on the first night in the new place, reinforcing the fact that nothing has changed for them.
Professional assistance
If you’d prefer to be relaxing with the kids rather than packing heavy boxes, why not take on some professional assistance for your move? By hiring removals experts, you can take the stress-free route to moving home.
At Two Men And A Truck® we provide comprehensive residential & commercial moving services, including packing, transport and unpacking. This allows you to take the time caring for your child, infant or newborn baby, while an experienced team take over all the strenuous and stressful tasks for you.
Contact us today to learn more about our full range of removals services. We’re always happy to discuss your move and can offer guidance on how our teams can help.