Moving House With Children: Top Tips to Survive!
*Collaborative post
Today on the blog I’m talking about Moving House With Children: Top Tips to Survive! We move house a lot, and because we home educate, we have the children with us during most if it. It can be a little daunting, the thought of moving house with little ones, but once you get the hang of it, you can do it without a hitch!
Moving House With Children: Top Tips to Survive!
Moving house can feel stressful, scary and very daunting. There’s so much to do, from changing addresses to hiring removal vans. BUT, if you focus your energy on the planning, your house move can happen in a smooth, efficient and even fun manner!
I remember moving house when Molly was barely 5 months old; this was, by far, the hardest house move we had. I was still breastfeeding and George was only about 20 months old, so it was MANIC. At the same time, my Dad was sick with lung cancer and my Mom was his full time carer, so it wasn’t a case of being able to drop the kids off and do everything whilst they were with my parents, we had to pull together as a family and work really hard to make it happen…
#1 Get organised!
Write down everything you need to do. It may feel really daunting, but once you see it on paper you’ll start to feel better. Have a whole page dedicated to address changes (I always miss one!) and don’t forget that you can change some addresses ahead of the move. Also, labelling boxes with the room name and keeping contact details on you at all times (van hire, family members just in case) will also help ease the stress factor.
#2 Keep the little ones safe and warm
I remember relying quite heavily on the use of a pushchair during those moving days, with both children needing time out from the mania of the move. There are some amazing Kiddies Kingdom’s range of Silver Cross products for sale for this type of thing, and it’s important to make sure you have somewhere safe, warm and dry for your little ones during the move. This will ensure less stress all round, and a sound transition from home to home.
#3 Be the boss
You really have to be in charge on moving day, even if it means rustling a few feathers. Tell people where you need them to be, or what they need to do, and don’t skirt around these things. Be upfront and you’ll see the day running smoother than if you leave people to their own devices…
#4 Remember you
In all of this, remember you need think of you too. So, take a break for a cuppa. Have a cuddle with your little ones. Take time out to gain some more energy. It’ll be helpful and more productive in the long run!
#5 Delegate
Hire a removal company or book someone in to clean your house. Don’t think you have to do it all, it’s just not true. We ended up getting a carpet cleaner in for one of our old houses, and it cost about £30. To this day I don’t regret getting someone else to do this for us! Really think about what you can/want/need to do, and if needs be, get/pay someone else to do it.
#6 Order take out
When you move into your new family home, don’t forget not to cook. Order pizza. Order whatever you want. You will be exhausted and you deserve the treat. Plus, can you even get into the kitchen?!
Remember that, moving house with little kids can be super stressful, but you can do it. It’s easier if you have a babysitter or relative to help, but if you don’t, don’t fret. You will and can do this, and if you follow my tips you’ll feel a weight has lifted on the day.
Do you have any other tips for moving as a family?
