Moving isn’t always easy, especially for kids. In fact, one study by The New York Times suggests that moving is one of the toughest things a kid can endure. The stress they experience during a move early on in life may even carry into their adult lives.

It’s a stressful, turbulent time in their lives, but you can make it easier on them. Here are 7 things to keep in mind to make your residential move easier for your kids.

1. Let Them Know What To Expect

Breaking the news to your kids isn’t going to be easy, but it needs to be done all the same. Hold a family meeting ahead of time and let them know the news.

They’re likely not going to react well, so be prepared to reassure them. Make sure to frame this as an exciting opportunity in a new location.

Kids love adventure, so framing the move as a brand new adventure can make a stressful time seem like a fun challenge.

2. Let Them Ask Questions

Now that they’re aware of the move, they’re likely going to have a few questions for the family. Be sure to let them know that you’re more than happy to answer any of their questions.

And not all of them will be easy. Some may be emotionally difficult, like “What will happen to my friends?” or “Will I ever see them again?”

Don’t forget how stressful a move is for a child. To them, it’s seen as a catastrophic event instead of the beginning of a new chapter. Answer questions honestly and openly.

3. Create A Moving Schedule

Of course, that isn’t to say that you’re not going through a lot of stress during your residential move, too. There’s a lot to prepare, so sit down with your kids and come up with a fun moving schedule together. This essentially eliminates two problems in one fell swoop. The kids get to feel like they’re a part of the process, and you’ll have a thorough schedule, which should ease your stress significantly.

4. Make Packing Fun

Sometimes kids have the right idea. They see everything as a challenge or a game.

So take a page out of their book and make a game of packing. See who can pack certain things faster (plates and silverware withstanding, obviously).

Not only will the kids get a kick out of it, but having a few extra sets of hands to pack can really make a difference.

5. Ask Them For Help

Moving can make a kid feel powerless and like they’re not in control of their life. You can combat those feelings by actively seeking their help. Give them a few small tasks to assist you with and watch their faces light up.

6. Search The New Area For Fun Things To Do

Every area has tons of fun things to discover. Do a bit of research ahead of time and find some fun activities for the kids in the new area.

Tell them ahead of time so they’ll have something to look forward to. All it takes to turn a negative experience into a positive one is a picnic at a new park or a visit to a museum.

7. Remind Them That The Family Is A Team

That sense of powerlessness that we mentioned earlier doesn’t necessarily go away. Especially the closer you get to the residential move.

Go out of your way to show them that the family is a team and that they’re a big part of that.

Need Help With Your Residential Move?

These tips should make a residential move easier than ever for you and your family. And speaking of making moving easy, why not enlist a bit of professional help?

Get in touch with Browning Moving & Storage today to see how we can take the pain out of moving for you and your family!

Moving is one of the most stressful and difficult things to do. From packing the first box to finally getting to your new place and having to unpack the same box, there are loads of steps in between that can feel chaotic.

While moving is indeed stressful, there are lots of ways to reduce that stress. There are several things you can do so that you can enjoy the moment and look forward to the new change in your life.

Read on for 4 ways to reduce the stress of moving to a new place.

Start Early

Sometimes, things are out of your control. You may be tossed into a last-minute move which could send you into a complete whirlwind. But if your relocation is something you know about in advance, do not procrastinate packing to the last minute.

If you can plan ahead, you should have a packing and moving plan weeks in advance. Three months is a preferred amount of time and will give you ample time to figure out any issues, hire movers, and gather packing supplies.

Giving yourself enough time so you do not feel rushed is key to not starting the moving process off stressed. Letting go of personal items is also not as easy for some people, so you will want to give yourself time to process those emotions as well.

Stay Organized

Clearing out clutter and staying organized will keep you on task and from being overwhelmed.

Reducing the clutter is a great first step to ensure that when you begin packing, you will only be packing the things you need.

Making a checklist of all the tasks you need to do will also help with time management and staying organized. Having a 12-, 8-, and 4-week plan will allow you to stay on track.

Ask for Help

There is nothing wrong with asking for help. Statistics show that around 14% of the US population moves every year. Everyone has been through a move at some point and knows exactly how daunting the task can be.

Ask friends and family if they can help you sort, pack, or move. If you are moving somewhere far away, this could also be a great opportunity to spend some quality time together before you go.

Make sure you also make time in your schedule to say goodbye. Especially if you are moving to a new place far away, give yourself the time to enjoy the things in your home or neighborhood that you will miss. This will help you with the transition from the old to the new.

Treat Yourself

Often times during a move, we neglect our own needs and health. There always seems to be so much to do, and so it is easy to put your needs on the back burner. Being stressed is also one of the many factors that lead to unsafe decisions and common moving injuries.

Many people often go without enough sleep and resort to an unhealthy diet to save time. While it may seem like you are being efficient, you are neglecting the most important thing: yourself.

If you have a family, moving to a new place is also very stressful for them. Don’t forget to care for yourself and them as well. Plan special evenings to go out and spend time with each other, and give the packing a rest for a night. Children need special attention during the moving process, so be patient.

Moving to a New Home?

Ready for the big move? Moving can be stressful, but there are many tips for how you can stay relaxed and remain efficient through the process. Don’t forget that the end goal is to start a new chapter and how exciting that will be once you are all moved in.

Check us out to learn how we can help you with your big move!

There’s nothing quite as exciting as moving. While it’s true that it can be a little jarring to see your life compartmentalized in boxes, a move represents a new beginning.

However, not all moves are as dramatic or time-consuming as a cross-country move. Some individuals or families may simply need to move within the state. But that isn’t to say that interstate moving isn’t without its own unique set of challenges.

With this list, you’ll be ahead of the curve.

Read on for 5 challenges that come with interstate moving and how you can solve them.

1. Interstate Moving Still Requires A Change Of Address

Even if you’re not moving across the globe, it’s still required that you update several important documents whenever you move.

These include:

• Driver’s license
• Mailing address
• Billing address
• Voter registration
• License plate and tag
• Vehicle registration

That’s a whole lot of bureaucracy to deal with in the midst of a move. You can make the process easier by designating certain days to certain tasks.

Take a week (or even two) and divvy up these tasks. Some changes, such as those for registration and tags, vary by state and city. To properly prepare, do your research ahead of time.

A quick note: mailing address is perhaps the easiest to change. However, it often doesn’t take effect for weeks after the move. Make sure that you’ve changed your address so that your mail arrives around the same time you do.

2. Your Goods May Get Damaged In The Move

You may feel tempted to pack everything into a moving truck and take care of it yourself. And this isn’t without its advantages. Often it’s a fine way to save a bit of money.

However, ask yourself, is it really worth it?

Only a professional mover knows how to pack and store boxes so that nothing gets damaged during the move. It isn’t always as simple as placing bubble wrap in the box.

Take care of your goods, don’t rely too much on your own capabilities.

3. It’s Easy To Get Inaccurate Estimates

Moving companies may give you an inaccurate estimate, resulting in hundreds of extra dollars in fees. Providing accurate estimates for long distance moving comes from decades of experience. Some movers who are honest can still provide inaccurate quotes; they simply do not have the experience and processes to quote the move properly.

You can remedy this issue by thoroughly vetting your moving company.

For more information on our estimate process, be sure to contact us.

4. You May Need To Downsize

A move doesn’t always mean a larger living space. In some cases, it may mean just the opposite. If you and your family are going to need to downsize, it can be tough to decide what stays and what gets tossed out. But there are plenty of great storage options that offer the best of both worlds. You’ll have a smaller, less cluttered home but you won’t have to worry about finding a place for everything.

5. Finding The Right Movers Can Be Difficult

It isn’t always easy to find a moving company that works within your budget and needs. Some companies may charge more for a shorter distance and others may not be particularly trustworthy.

When planning your move, make sure you allow for plenty of time to discover which movers are — and aren’t — worth your time.

Last Thoughts On Interstate Moving

Moving, no matter how close, always comes with its own unique set of challenges. But we want to make it easier on you!
Get in touch with our team today to see how we can work with you to make your move painless and affordable.