Moving with kids is always a topic you see on mom blogs or community boards. Honestly, it can be downright scary. Moving alone is challenging enough, adding a couple of little ones into the mix is no joke. I have written about moving with kids many times, but now I have gotten to experience this firsthand.
At the beginning of 2021, my family of three (and our furry family member!) decided to take a leap of faith and move from Tennessee to Minnesota. I know what you're thinking. What in the world made you move to MinneSNOWta?! We love working for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is why! At the time, our son was 2 months old. You have never known difficult until you must pack a house during nap times with a newborn, but we made it work. Which leads me to my first piece of advice. Take advantage of packing during nap times and start early. Put that baby in the Mom-a-Roo and grab your boxes and tape. As soon as we sold our house, we began packing our trinkets and items that we didn't need for everyday use. Even though we were a month and a half from moving, having the clutter packed to go to its new home helped.
When it came time to move, my husband felt compelled to move ourselves. Again, I know what you are thinking. Don't you work for a moving company? The answer is yes, we do. Once we realized we have way too much stuff, we were beyond grateful for the village that showed up to help us. If someone offers to help you move or watch your children while you move, take them up on the offer! We had a friend hold our baby while we packed the truck, and it made all the difference on move day. My other recommendation is to hire a moving company!
We packed our entire house except the nursery. It gave our son a sense of normalcy in all the chaos of moving. We also wanted to make sure we had everything he might need up until the last minute. This advice goes for any age child. It is important that your kiddo has a safe space when their whole world is changing around them. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has a specific box called Truckie's treasure chest that we can give to your child. They can pack their favorite toys and stuffed animals to stay with them the entirety of the move. A sense of security is key, especially with ages 4 to 8. On the other end of the move, set up your kids' rooms first for the same reason.
Giving your child a task or "Moving Day Captain" is always a fun task. This didn't apply to me because my son couldn't walk much less talk or take part in the moving process, but it's a good idea. It's hard being a kid. Our job as movers is to make sure everyone in the house is comfortable, and that means our little movers too!
Once our first home was empty, and we said our goodbyes, my husband hopped into the truck and headed north. I went to the airport with my mini companion. We wanted our son to spend as little time traveling as possible. Can you imagine traveling 14 hours with a two month old? Terrifying. This step is not necessary if you aren't moving across the country, but my point is get your kids to the destination. Let them explore their new home and see their new room before the crazy starts.
My last piece of advice is enjoy the moment. Moving symbolizes a stage of life, and it can be a big deal for your kids. It is exciting, scary, and everything between. Love on your family and explore your next chapter!
For more moving advice, tips, and tricks follow us on social media!
