Moving is considered a significantly stressful life event. By some standards, it is even more stressful than going through a divorce. Fortunately, there are many things mothers can do to make the entire experience far less arduous.
Purge
The first thing that will make a huge difference in how much stress the entire family experiences is the attitude with which the move is approached. Don’t feel as though every single item in your home needs to be moved to the new location. Instead, consider this an opportunity to purge unwanted and unused items and start over with a much cleaner slate.
Children can easily be convinced this is a game, the rules of which are simple. For every set number of toys and clothing that get placed into the donate or throw away piles, they get a predetermined amount of money to go towards a new item. Alternatively, once specific goals have been met they can earn specific treats such as an afternoon swimming or ice skating, an hour of game time, or some other activity they are willing to work towards.
Don’t let the children have all of the fun. Use this time to go through adult clothing and remove those items that haven’t been worn, decorations that never get used, and kitchen gadgets that are always hidden away in cupboards. There is absolutely no reason to take items with you which are never used. Gifting them to others will make them happy and will make moving and future cleaning sessions infinitely easier.
Professionals
People have no problems consulting a professional for a health matter, to fix their automobile, or to care for their lawn. Yet, many scoff at the idea of hiring a professional moving service. This is odd, considering the time, effort, and stress that can all be dramatically reduced when professionals such as North American are utilized.
The sheer speed with which a moving company can pack belongings and get them loaded into a delivery truck is astounding. They are able to move heavy boxes and large pieces of furniture that would take a team of volunteers a full day to transport. They are experts and they know how to pack things into a truck so that every inch is optimally filled and each item is accounted for. They are also insured, which means if your television or computer gets broken in transit you will likely be covered. Of course, you will want to verify individual policies with any companies you consider.
Then there is the process of unloading everything into your new home. With boxes that are clearly labeled, the movers will have your belongings in the appropriate room for you to unpack. No need to search through a pile of boxes all bunched together in the living room to find the pots you need to cook dinner or the baby’s favorite blanket.
Children and Pets
When moving day finally comes it can be a huge blessing to have arranged care away from the home for all children and pets. If a family member or a friend offers to help but is unable to physically participate in the move, caring for children could be a tremendous help. Moving is scary for adults and even scarier for children. If they are able to play away from the hustle and commotion it will be less difficult for them, and easier for the adults who are participating in the move.
Likewise, any type of pet will quickly become agitated when confronted with strangers moving about and going in and out of the home. By moving them to a boarding facility for a few days they will be in a secure and comfortable environment with people who will care for them and keep them calm. While it will still be a change in their environment and routine, it will not be as dramatic or unsettling as what will be occurring at home.
There is nothing that will eliminate the stress of moving entirely. However, it is possible to make the process less nerve racking. By purging and hiring professionals it is possible to ensure your new home is more organized, which will undoubtedly lead to less stress in the long run.
I have not moved in about 17 years. but I do know it is no fun. I will probably be looking to move sometime after Winter. Thanks for the info.
Getting rid of stuff before you move is such a good idea. Have a big yard sale and make money selling your stuff. That is what I did before I moved last time and it really helped not taking all that stuff!
I am always getting rid of stuff. I hate clutter but with my husbands job we can move anytime. So I know to try andown keep things to a minimum
I think the most helpful tip is to get rid of stuff! My rule is if I haven’t used it in the past two years, then I don’t need it!