Top tips for moving with a young family
Moving home is exciting but it can also become very stressful, especially when you are moving with small children. In our latest blog post CEO Lorna Coutts provides her top tips for moving with a young family.
1. Get started as early as possible
"Start preparing for your move as early as possible. More often than not, life gets in the way, moving day sneaks up on you and you find yourself throwing items in boxes and speed-scrubbing the house while movers are on the way.
"Get started packing and deep cleaning as early as possible so that you’re not stressed on the week of your move."
2. Clear out old and broken items
"Moving is the perfect time to have a clear out - especially when you have kids. By recycling any unwanted toys and binning any broken crayons and old school assignments before you move, you will cut down on the number of boxes that you need to pack - and unpack - during the move."
3. Make a moving week plan
"Depending on their age, sit down with your kids and plan out the week ahead. By deciding what meals you will eat and where you will eat them beforehand, you’re ticking off another decision before the chaos begins, reducing stress levels for you and your family."
4. Create a to-do list
"If your kids are old enough, give them their own to-do list and add small, simple tasks for them to manage. As well as engaging them in the process, it also cuts down on your own list which is a win-win."
5. Be organised
"Creating a packing schedule will help to cut back on last-minute stress, but it doesn’t stop there. Keeping boxes organised is difficult, especially when you have tiny helpers involved. Invest in some colourful stickers or tape to mark each box for a fast and easy kid-approved organisation method."
6. Make use of child-free time
"When it comes to moving with a young family, every child free minute counts so make sure that you make the most of it. Turn nap times into packing time, and try to get as much done while your kids are at school."
7. Make it fun
"Play on your kids' competitive spirit and turn packing into one big game. Set a time for each packing “round,” and let your kids pack as much as they can during that time. Everything must be packed neatly in order to get credit, and the winner gets some sort of prize."
8. Secure childcare
"Whether it’s a private childminder, the support of family and friends, or a summer camp - securing childcare to take your tiny helpers outside school hours can be a massive help when it comes to moving."
9. Pack overnight bags for everyone in the family
"By packing individual overnight bags for each member of the family to use the night before and night of the move, everyone will have access to their own personal items without opening any boxes.
"It’s important that you think about your first-night essentials when packing your boxes and make sure that they are the first thing that you move. You can read more on our first-night guide."
“At ASPC, we want to help both buyers, renters, and sellers across the North East. Our team has created a range of insightful blog posts and information pages that will inspire, inform and guide you.
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