Tips for Moving with Little Kids
We did it again. We moved cross-country. This time with two kids (1 and 2 1/2 years old), 3 cats and a 19 year old. We took four days to drive from Arizona to Minnesota, totally broke a wheel off our personal trailer, and ate a lot of junk food, but we made it. Together, mostly sane, and successfully arrived to my parent’s house. Here are my top 5 tips for moving with little ones:
1) Bring a Friend
My sister flew down to drive with me while a young man moving with us drove with Peter. Kristina was an irreplaceable help! She handed back toys and snacks, helped run the iPad, played with and soothed fussy kids, managed music, and so much more. She kept me sane, kept the kids happy, and we got a chance to catch up over the 4 days of driving. She was worth more than I could ever put a price on, WAY more than the price of her one-way ticket and meals.
2) Over-estimate your space needs
Kids mean more toys and more to move. Plus you’ve accumulated more than you think you have. This means you’ll need more boxes than you think you do, and a bigger truck than you hope. We had a 20-foot U-haul, our truck, my car on a car dolly, and our small personal trailer. We packed them all to the absolute max and still took multiple car loads to Goodwill. Even after our massive garage sale before putting the house up for sale. It was stressful and we could have saved ourselves that stress by either having less stuff or by getting a bigger truck.
3) Plan for your destination
For us, this meant clothes for colder weather and knowing where things we *might* need over the next few weeks were packed. Like Micah’s favorite toys, our medications, extra diapers and wipes, etc. We hit thrift stores after getting here to buy more cold-weather clothes, and I’ve done a lot of digging in our stuff (conveniently stored in my parent’s garage until we know where we are going).
4) Pack for the Road
TOYS. SNACKS. LOTS. Technology is your friend, our iPad fully loaded with Micah’s games was a life-saver. Sippy cups, phone chargers, lots of diapers and wipes. Extra clothes, night-time needs, books, and more snacks. Did I mention snacks? And drinks. Plus whatever you need, like you are packing for vacation but not….
5) Don’t Forget the Pets
You don’t want the pets and the kids in the same car. The noise and activity overload would be unimaginable. Our cats rode in our car as it was towed behind the U-haul. That way we didn’t have to deal with the noise or smell while they were safe and cozy. Most hotels won’t take pets, so they just lived in the car, with the food and litter boxes and windows cracked open. And don’t forget to think about where everyone will be once you get to your destination.
Good Luck!
Please leave any other great moving tips in the comments!
Really good tips! We are moving on Saturday and I am very stressed out. I have two kids to looks after. One is three and the other one is five. I need to calm down and think of a way to keep them busy while the movers load the truck with all the furniture and boxes, as when we go to the new house. We have already hired the movers (http://chiswickmanandvan.com/) and we have arranged everything! I will definitely use your tips! Thanks for sharing! Greets!
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