Having said that, moving with kids doesn’t have to be all that bad. If you involve them in the process, they will make it fun and actually help you get things done. If you want to find out how you can get your kids to assist you during your move, read on. Our tips and tricks will make the process as easy as possible.
Moving is the perfect time to get rid of anything you might not need anymore. According to Nancy Zafrani, the general manager of New York moving company Oz Moving, the key to making your move seamless is donating everything you don’t need.
Many organizations all across the city accept furniture, electronics, clothes, toys, and anything else you might think of. And the best thing about it all? You can get your kids to help you choose what goes and what you keep.
Let your kids take care of their own stuff. Bring out all their old toys and clothes they can’t fit into anymore, and explain how they will be helping others by giving away some of their belongings. Donating things like this will help you have less on your plate, and it will teach your kids an important lesson on sharing and being charitable. It is a win-win situation.
Packing is stressful enough even without kids running around you and distracting you. If you need some peace and quiet while you pack, we suggest you let them be creative.
Get out some markers, sticky notes, and decorative tape and let them go to town on the moving boxes. They will have the time of their lives decorating the boxes, and you’ll get to do everything on time and the way you want. Additionally, you’ll have the fanciest and prettiest moving boxes ever!
This activity is also great if your kids are sad about moving and need a little pick-me-up. They’ll get to see moving as something exciting and fun, which might make them feel a bit better about the process in general.
If your kids are teenagers, then they can help you pack. You can let them pack up their rooms and even help you out with the rest of the rooms.
Once everything is packed and ready to go, you will need to make your old home spotless. Though this might seem tiring and boring, you can get your kids to help you out.
If your kids are smaller, let them wipe down lower cabinets or baseboards. Older kids can do even more, like vacuuming and dusting. Children generally love having their own rag and spray bottle, as well as their own tasks they need to get through. It gives them a sense of purpose and makes them feel helpful and grown-up.
So, don’t hesitate to put your children to work. They will feel great about it, and they will be a great help to you at the same time. Of course, make sure you oversee them as they clean, so they stay safe at all times.
You might also have to clean your new place before unpacking. The same applies in such a case, too: your kids can help you, regardless of their age.
The pain of moving does not stop once you are out of your old home. You still need to unpack all your belongings and make the new place feel like home. Though doing it all on your own might seem like the most efficient plan, we suggest that you let your kids help, too.
Letting them unpack their own rooms and toys will make the new place feel less foreign and strange. That is especially the case with younger children. Allowing them to surround themselves with their belongings the way they want to will make the process of adjusting to a new home a lot easier.
You can also make this process fun and exciting. Hide something (a little toy or trinket of some kind) in your kid’s boxes and let them go on a little treasure hunt to find it. If you make it seem like a game, unpacking will start looking like the most interesting thing in the world to them.
Letting your teenagers unpack on their own is important, too. It will tell them that you trust them and give them a sense of independence and usefulness. Besides, they are already old enough to do it on their own and help you out a little.
Packing and moving with your kids around might seem like an absolute nightmare. However, with the right tips and tricks, it can become bearable and even exciting and fun. We hope that our little list helps you learn how you can involve your kids in the moving process, regardless of their age. Doing so will ensure your move is seamless and that you have some fantastic helpers on the journey. Good luck!