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Having a moving checklist makes things a tad bit easier when kids are involved.
We just experienced our first move with kids. Let me tell you, it is not the easiest thing! I had no clue the amount of work it entailed until I was in the middle of it all. Here are is my moving checklist for those with kids. Hopefully it will make the move a little easier.
1. De-clutter a head of time.
If you are already a minimalist, then this one is not as much for you. For the rest of us, make this a top priority! I started de-cluttering months, yes months, before we moved. A moving checklist that starts with the de-cluttering is a huge plus. We started before we put our house on the market. I think this is the prime time to de-clutter because you are making way for a nice looking home to be sold as well as making your life easier when it is time to move.
When I de-clutter, I toss ALL things that are useless or haven’t been used within the past 3 months. If it hasn’t been used within that amount of time, I am pretty sure it won’t be used any time soon. Lots of Happy Meal Toys as well as games, puzzles, and other play kits are tossed or donated if they don’t have all the pieces or have lost my kids interest.
2. Organize after the de-cluttering process.
This may seem silly to some because you are prepping to move. Why organize now when you will have to do it again once you get in the new home? Well organizing before hand will make it easier when you are re-organizing in the new home. I was able to easily pack things up that were supposed to be together.
Since you are having to move twice within 4-5 months, I have no intention to unpack everything. I still have boxes and large storage containers with items that I don’t need. I know this because I organized beforehand. Organizing is also much easier to do while you are de-cluttering. Go figure.
3. If possible, move gradually.
This may not be the case for all, but move gradually if you can. We were able to start moving into our rental two weeks before our actual closing date. This moving checklist point made the actual moving day a lot easier. Like a lot easier. Plus, I was able to start unpacking and getting the kids’ rooms more situated before we moved in the big furniture.
4. A moving checklist that includes the kids.
If you have kids that are capable of helping, let them! My kids helped pack some of the boxes in their rooms. This made it more ‘fun’ for them to unpack once we got into the rental. This is the only aspect I would include them. If you try and include them in the de-cluttering process, you won’t make it very far. Mine are serious pack rats and don’t want to toss anything away.
5. Be prepared for the mess after moving.
I had no clue the mess that would be left after the actual moving process. I assumed it would all be done once I moved, but the mess left afterwards is there. We had to close a few days later on our home after moving, so I had to hurry up and get our house ready. This is something I wish I would have realized and wouldn’t have been so overwhelmed after the actual move was over with.
Sending all the patience and luck your way!
Who would have known that having kids would add so much more clutter and stuff to your home? I hope this moving checklist will make your moving process with kids a lot easier! Do you have any tips for those moving with kids?
More posts for those with kids: https://thesoutherlymagnolia.com/why-i-approve-of-my-kids-extracurricular-activities/ https://thesoutherlymagnolia.com/organization-tips-for-those-with-kids/
Hugs!
