Tips for moving houses with the smalls
Moving with small people is COMPLETELY different to any move you’ve done before… but it can be made much easier by getting organised and being ahead of the game… well, as much as humanly possible!
When you find out you will be moving —
Start as far out as possible and pack one box a day.
Start with things in the back of cupboards that are rarely touched - Christmas decorations, clothes from the opposite season, board games etc. pack them and store them. Label them accurately with what’s inside so finding and unpacking is easy.
Declutter - get the kids involved. Give things they are too old for to younger friends, get rid of those broken toys (Toys for Joy Big W) or make a bit of money selling some things no longer needed on marketplace or gumtree!
Practical Packing tips:
Make it easy for yourself. Have a tub with all the packing bits - tape, labels, sharpies… that you can just take around to different rooms as you pack things up.
Use a colour coding system for each room. This was my friend Deb’s hack and it makes life easy for you and for the movers. Even the kids can be involved this way.
Google checklists for moving. When your head is spinning, it’s easy to forget things. Finding pre-made checklists can save you lots of time and help you remember things you may not have thought of.
Get recommendations from friends about removalists - including the sized trucks they used to avoid the trucks having to do more than one trip.
Redirect your mail and make a list of providers to change your address with as you receive mail/bills.
Before moving day —
Do as much as you can (Sounds obvious, I know). It is a nightmare having to pack or disassemble furniture when you have removalists in your house moving at the speed of light. Don’t leave anything but the fridge (and cots) for moving day.
Let the kids have a labelled box of their special things that doesn’t go on the truck and stays open, right til the day before the move. This box they can put things in and out of but they know they can access what’s in there. Then they are happy to pack all the other bits and pieces.
Eat through your fridge and freezer. Less to transport and use up that meat thats been in the freezer for a while!
Packing -
NIGHT ONE BAG -- Have bags (those big plastic ones from the dollar store) dedicated to bedding/pillows/PJs so that the first night is sorted and beds are EASILY made - there is no searching/hunting for blankets, sheets or special toys. Take these to the house in the car if you can.
The kitchen -
Pack up and only keep a small set of the essentials/plastic ware at the current house.
Once you have the keys -
Take the kitchen things to the new place before moving day and unpack the kitchen.
Invite friends over to help unpack (provide snacks and music and it feels like a party)
Move as many boxes as you can yourself, to save on cost of the truck (we have a van, which helped) and time on moving day.
Take offers of help.
Ask friends to build the beds first
Take the meal your friend offers to make the day you move in or get take out. You don’t want to have to cook!
Unpacking party - any offers of help, take them!
Have friends unpack:
kids clothes
Kitchen drawers and cupboards
Rearranging can happen later! Don’t be too precious.
For moving day -
Do an online shop (for delivery) ahead of time to be delivered when the fridge is turned on. If you have access to something like Harris farm, order some pre-made meals that feel somewhat nutritious to have on hand for the family.
Post Move -
Book a cleaner. It’s expensive… so don’t be surprised. Save for it. It’s worth it. I sold my pram to pay for this and I was soooo grateful for not having to clean the old place. Go with the cleaner the agent recommends (if renting) as it saves a lot of time, money and energy as the agent can deal directly with their cleaner, rather than it being your problem.
Enjoy your new space!
Hope you find some helpful tips in here to lighten the load. Moving with kids is big… but you can do it!
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