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Moving With Kids- Complete Practical Guide with Tips Flipbook PDF
Moving With Kids- Complete Practical Guide with Tips
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Moving With Kids: Complete Practical Guide with Tips Akta Ehmke(2018)
Abstract Moving to a new city or town can be overwhelming for any child. Amid the chaos of packing, kids are forced to say goodbye to friends, teachers, and the familiar comfort of their community. By preparing for the move in advance, keeping lines of communication open, and maintaining a positive attitude, parents can help their kids cope with the challenges of relocation. Here are some tips for ensuring that your child transitions smoothly from one home to another. Introduction Everybody knows, either from personal experience or through rumors, that moving is not a particularly fun experience. In fact, if badly organized and poorly executed, it could even turn into a stress-loaded ordeal for everyone in the family. Besides the time-consuming and arduous packing of all the household stuff that’s been accumulated as a result of years of living in one place, there are also the endless moving tasks that you need to get crossed out in your relocation calendar before moving day. Yes, moving can be, and usually is a real stressor but if you’re moving with a child, then your move will automatically become even more stressful and complicated as your worries about the well-being of your angels will skyrocket. And in order to help you handle the tougher relocation level, we
have prepared this extensive guide with practical tips on how to survive a move with your child to a new house or apartment … and keep your sanity. Also, for a much faster and convenient reading experience, we have broken up our moving with a child guide into three sections. Each section refers to and covers a different age group and deals with its various sets of challenges that you’re about to face when moving with your child across the country.
Moving House with a Baby or Toddler Even very organized people find out that moving is a tough job and admit that getting adequate help is the only way to bring the whole affair to a successful end. And when moving with a toddler or a baby, that timely relocation assistance becomes something more than much needed help – it becomes a lifesaver. Remember that any packing, moving and unpacking help you get from your family and friends will also be priceless in this transitional period, so be brave enough to ask for it.
1.0 Before the move ❖ Disruption of routine Every good parent should know how important the routine for their baby or toddler is. In reality, the disruption of that same familiar schedule of your little one and the consequent struggle to preserve it will be one of the main causes of concern for you, and probably the major issue you’re going to have to address before, during and after the cross country move. Make it your top priority to keep your kid’s routine as unchanged as possible. If you sense that things are getting out of hand, resort to either asking a family member (preferably a grandmother) or hire a babysitter to take care of your child while your mind is preoccupied with packing, cleaning, finding a reputable moving company, having utilities disconnected, changing the address, paying up any remaining bills, arranging the transportation of pets, organizing a yard sale, saying goodbye to your favorite neighbors and so on. ❖ Stress handling Generally speaking, babies and toddlers will respond differently to the chaotic moving preparations that precede a move. Babies will usually not be too affected by the whirlwind of relocation activities around them because they are too young to comprehend what’s really going on and what the fuss is all about. As long as they continue to receive their food, sleep and parents’ love and care, they will handle the stress of moving pretty straightforward. However, they can still detect any elevated levels of confusion and worries in their parents and can become more restless and irritable than usual as a result. Therefore, do your best to keep the stress levels to minimum by organizing your move well. Toddlers will have a better idea of what is happening in the house but fail to fully understand the reasons about the change. Some of them may even feel the stress the same way parents do, especially if the moving preparations seem disorganized and chaotic, and respond to the pressure their own way.
Although you have no way of knowing exactly how your toddler will react to the news that soon things will be radically different, you can at least expect signs of uncharacteristic behavior and be mentally ready to tackle each problem as it comes. One common issue that your toddler may be having is the fear of being left behind. So, use a simple language that your child will understand and calm their ungrounded fear the best way you can.
❖ Extra pre-move tips on moving house with a baby or toddler • Packing your household items in one giant effort just won’t work, especially when a large portion of your time goes into caring for your baby or toddler. Instead, divide the entire packing job into smaller perfectly doable tasks or else you’ll run the risk of getting physically and mentally exhausted. Before packing gets too overwhelming, adopt the “one box at a time” tactics. This way, when you’re done packing one moving container, you can move on to the next one with renewed energy and determination; • Be sure to pack an essentials box for your baby or toddler. That survival kit will come in very handy while you’re on the road to your new home or during the first 24 hours in the new city. The essentials box should include: diapers (take a few extra just in case), wet wipes, powder or diaper-rash cream, suitable baby food and drinks, extra set of
clothes and of course, your little one’s favorite toys. Also, remember to take any prescription medicines your young child may need during the trip. • It’s important to take your child to your family pediatrician for a full checkup before the actual relocation takes place. You need that nod from the doctor that your angel is in good health and ready to travel. Also, while at the pediatrician’s office, request your child’s medical records or have your doctor transfer them to their colleague if you have already decided on a new pediatrician in the destination city. 2.0 Moving day It’s time to hit the road. And regardless of how you choose to reach your new city, there are specific tips for moving with your child across the country that you should be familiar with in order to have a pleasant relocation trip. ❖ Moving your baby or toddler in the family car • Plan your road trip really well. Consider including emergency clinics along the route (God forbid!) and large parks with playgrounds where you can take a short walk to shake off the road blues. Frequent breaks for fresh air and a change of scenery will prove to be beneficial both for your little one and you.
• Travelling with a little child is a little adventure in itself. Ideally, your baby or toddler will spend most the trip sleeping or dozing on and off which will help you relax and gather your thoughts for the new set of challenges that will be waiting for you in your new home. It’s a great idea to play gentle and relaxing music on the car stereo to put your child at ease. Classical music is always a good choice, you can also record certain sounds that you know will have a soothing effect on your baby or toddler while the trip lasts, such as ocean waves, forest sounds, light rain, etc. • Be sure to have the survival kit with you in the car. It’s comforting to know that all the essentials you might need along the moving trip are conveniently gathered in one place and easily accessible at any given moment. • Make sure your vehicle is equipped with a safety-approved car seat for your baby or toddler. ❖ Flying with your baby or toddler to your new home • It’s no secret that some airline companies are more child-friendly than others. Contact the airline you have selected and ask them about their policy on child safety and any specific regulations you as a parent must know beforehand and observe during the flight. Babies and toddlers often fly for free but it’s your obligation to request all the important information in advance. If allowed, you are advised to bring a safety seat aboard the plane for extra protection instead of holding your baby on your lap. • When flying with a young child, the essentials box will have to be transformed into an essentials bag but its purpose stays unchanged. 3.0 After the move Congratulations on your problem-free move with your child. You are all now in your new home, safe and sound. However, you shouldn’t get too comfortable, at least not yet, for there are still plenty of child-related challenges for you.
❖ Baby-proofing your new home The moment you step inside your new house or apartment, you will probably feel the need to start unpacking so that your life gets back on track as soon as possible. But there’s one task that should be done with no delay and that is to baby-proof your new home. You do realize that nothing is more important than the safety and physical and physiological well-being of your baby or toddler, so it’s your top priority to identify and eliminate any potential household dangers that a new residence can be hiding.
Going through each and every room is the best approach to detecting what could possible harm your little angel. Start from the nursery room where you baby or toddler will spend most of their time. Pay special attention to the safety of the baby crib, the changing table and the immediate area around them, make sure the electrical outlets are protected and safeguard the windows and the door. The bathroom and the kitchen will certainly be the most dangerous rooms for your young child (followed by the staircases and the living room), so make no compromises when it comes to properly babyproofing them.
❖ Adjustment period The period of adjusting to the new environment comes right after the move and there’s no way around it. As a rule, parents have a much harder time getting used to the new chapter in their lives than young children. Usually, your baby will not be bothered too much by the sudden change. You may expect a few nights with less sleep in the very beginning, or even sleepless ones, but the acclimatization period for your little one should be over before you know it. Well, your toddler may find it a bit of a struggle to accept the changes. It’s not uncommon for toddlers to surprise their parents by exhibiting unusual behavioral patterns, such as unexplained and uncharacteristic aches or decreased appetite. Try to explain to your kid that all these changes are for the better even if they don’t fully understand what you’re saying. The calm tone of your voice mixed with an enthusiastic touch will make a world of difference for your little angel.
❖ Extra post-move tips on moving house with a baby or toddler • If you still haven’t found a good pediatrician in your new city, do so without delay. Take the up-to-date medical records of your child on the first visit to the doctor’s office. • You child’s room should be the first room you set up when you arrive in your new place. Try to recreate as much as possible from your baby or toddler’s old environment – furniture, colors, toys, etc. And last but not least, be a patient parent. At times, your nerves and endurance will be tested and your sanity challenged. When things get really tough, keep repeating to yourself that patience is the key to surviving a move with a young child and the successful relocation you’ve just endured is only a transitional period which will be nothing but a distant memory a few happy years later. 4.0 Common moving house myths you should not believe
Moving is such a common occurrence nowadays that is has become a “hot” topic in the society. Everyone seems to have a moving experience to share and some moving advice to give. Everyone has heard a few moving horror stories and a number of popular moving superstitions. Many of these tales have some elements in common; similar events are recounted several times; certain opinions get repeated over and over again; the same tips and warnings are found all over the internet – so, people believe them to be true. Accidental acts are seen as standard practices, rumors turn into facts, and personal views become general truths – this is how moving myths appear. And while there is a grain of truth to some common moving myths, others are severe misconceptions that may lead to major moving mistakes if taken at face value. So, when planning your own move, make sure you don’t make your decisions based on urban myths – dig a bit deeper and find the actual facts. Here are some of the worst myths about moving house debunked and the truth – revealed: ✓ Moving Myth # 1: It’s cheaper to move yourself Fact: It may be cheaper to rent a moving truck than to hire a moving company, but the final moving costs are likely to be the same. How so? Well, the truck rental cost won’t be your only expense when moving on your own – you’ll also need to pay for: • fuel, vehicle insurance, parking permits, and road tolls; • meals and lodgings on the way; • auxiliary moving equipment (a dolly, furniture pads, moving straps, etc.); • packing materials; • moving insurance for your items, etc. Besides, you’ll have to provide some snacks and beverages, as well as small gifts, to your good friends who come to help you move (as you won’t be able to carry your heavy furniture and other bulky household items by yourself).
All these small expenses add up quickly and when you do the math it may turn out that your DIY move is not much cheaper than moving with professional movers. And that is if you manage to keep all your possessions safe and sound during the relocation – otherwise you’ll spend much more money on replacement and repair costs than you would have paid for a full-service move (needless to say, the moving experts would have ensured the safety of your items and performed your move in the fastest, smoothest, and most efficient way possible). ✓ Moving Myth # 2: All movers are the same, so it doesn’t matter which ones you choose Fact: Different moving companies have different rates and conditions and offer different additional services and special features. Not all movers are equally experienced or equally well equipped. Some are properly licensed and insured, others are not. Some have a history of excellent customer service and 5-star reviews, while others try to rip off heedless customers. So, don’t just hire the first movers you come across or the ones that offer the lowest price for your move – do some research and make sure you’re entrusting your possessions to honest, experienced, and trustworthy moving specialists: • • • • • •
ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations; get free moving quotes to see what different companies have to offer; check the movers’ USDOT numbers; read online reviews left by previous customers of the companies; check the movers’ complaint histories and ratings with the BBB; select three or four reputable companies that seem to best suit your needs and ask them for on-site estimates; • interview the representatives who come to your home and gather as much information about the companies and the details of your move as you can; • compare the offers and choose the best movers for you.
✓ Moving Myth # 3: Any boxes will do Fact: Boxes that are not especially designed for moving can’t hold much weight or withstand much impact. They fall apart easily and cannot be efficiently and securely arranged in the moving truck, thus increasing the risk of damage to your belongings. The boxes you use when packing for a move should be sturdy (so that they provide good protection to your items) and uniform in size (so that they can be easily stacked upon one another). You can get empty cardboard boxes from grocery stores or other local business, but they won’t be strong enough to ensure the safety of your items. You can get used moving boxes from friends, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently moved, but they may be compromised from the previous uses. So, while you can indeed find moving boxes for free and use them to pack your belongings, you’re not advised to do so – get brand new moving boxes to ensure the best possible protection for your belongings and consider specialty boxes (dish boxes, picture boxes, etc.) for your more delicate and valuable possessions. Good to know: According to the urban moving myths, purchasing specialized packing supplies is a waste of money as well. You can always use old sheets, blankets, and towels instead of moving blankets and bubble wrap, crumpled paper and old clothes instead of packing peanuts and foam sheets, or newspaper instead of packing paper, right? Wrong! Newspaper will leave ugly ink stains on your items, old clothes cannot compare to anti-static peanuts or foam cushioning, moving blankets are thicker than sheets and towels and provide much better protection, and bubble wrap is your best friend when it comes to protecting delicate items. ✓ Moving Myth # 4: There is no point in inventorying your items and labeling your boxes Fact: A moving inventory will help you organize your items in a practical and systematic manner and keep track of your belongings throughout the entire
relocation process. Labeling the boxes will be fast and easy when you have a detailed inventory sheet to refer to and will save you plenty of time and hassle upon delivery – the movers will know where to take the boxes when unloading them at your new home and it will be easy to find what you need when unpacking. When you can see all the items you intend to take to your new home listed on your moving inventory sheet, you’ll be able to tell how long it will take you to pack them for shipment, determine the type and amount of packing supplies you’re going to need, estimate the weight of your shipment and get an accurate idea of the final cost of your move. Besides, you will immediately know if anything goes missing during the move and will have evidence of the pre-move condition of your items in case any of them get damaged while in the movers’ custody. ✓ Moving Myth # 5: Movers will move everything Fact: There are certain things movers won’t move due to legal, ethical, or safety reasons. Some household goods are considered too dangerous to be transported because of their hazardous nature (explosive materials, chemicals, etc.) and others are illegal to move (guns, liquor, etc.), so the movers won’t move them for you. They won’t agree to take perishable food (it may go bad during the move and cause damage to the rest of your items), plants and pets (they may not survive the relocation in the moving truck) and items of very high sentimental value (they cannot be replaced if something happens on the road) either. You need to find a way to transport these things yourself or get rid of them before the move. Bonus tip: Make sure you request a list of the non-allowable items your chosen moving company won’t move for you, so that you don’t waste time packing them and have enough time to decide what to do with them. ✓ Moving Myth # 6: The moving insurance included in your contract will cover damaged or lost items
Fact: The basic liability coverage you get for free when signing a moving contract covers only $ 0.60 per pound per item. Besides, it doesn’t allow punitive damage claims. If you want to ensure your peace of mind, you need to get full value protection for your items. It comes at an extra cost, but your movers will be liable for the full cost of repairs or the replacement value of any damaged or missing items. You can also purchase additional moving insurance for your most valuable possessions from a third party, if you wish to. ✓ Moving Myth # 7: Friday is the best day to perform a move Fact: It may be convenient to move on the last workday of the week, so that you have the entire weekend to unpack your belongings and get settled, but the drawbacks of a Friday-move far outweigh any possible advantages: • The moving costs will be higher – many people choose to move on Fridays, so the moving companies are very busy on that day of the week and charge higher for their services; • The moving crews are stretched thin because of the many moving jobs on Fridays and you may have to settle for movers without much experience; • The road traffic is heavier on Fridays with many people heading home or away for the weekend; • It may be difficult to get the things you need for your new home as many businesses close over the weekend. Your move will be cheaper, safer, and more efficient if you schedule it for a less busy day. ✓ Moving Myth # 8: You will only need as much money as your estimate says Fact: The moving estimate you get may be quite accurate, but you’ll have to provide for a number of other expenses as well:
• Moving-related expenses (besides the movers cost) – packing materials, travel expenses, tips for the movers, etc.; • New home rent or mortgage – a security deposit and first month’s rent or mortgage payment for the first month; • Utilities – disconnection fees and start-up fees, utility deposits, and firstmonth bills; • Renovation works and furnishings for your new home; • Living expenses for the first couple of months – groceries, medications, transportation, clothes, and various essentials you’re going to need around the house; • Emergency expenses. Good to remember: • If you were not careful enough when researching your movers and signed up with a less-than-reputable moving company, you may be surprised by various hidden moving costs and extra charges at the last moment; • If you didn’t provide your movers with all the necessary information when they were preparing your estimate, you may have to pay some unplanned moving costs – for necessitated extra services, unforeseen difficulties, delays, etc. Do not allow common moving house myths to mislead you when planning your relocation – do some research and get the facts, so that you can make informed (and correct) decisions about your move. 5.0 Tips to Make a Quick Move-in Sunshine Coast Relocating your life takes much more than just wrapping and packing your stuff in cardboard boxes and bubble wraps. Moving is such tiring task that it makes everyone wearisome. You don’t want to go through multiple duties which are never-ending. There can never be enough hands to help and enough time while moving to a new place. Even if you get help, the process takes a lot of time.
Here are some tips to make a quick move 1. Start early Start as early as possible, by a minimum of four weeks. You may think that it will not take much time, but it will take a lot of time no matter how fast you do it. You can start with packing items you need the least for daily life. Finish packing before at least four days of the final moving day so that you get time to recheck everything and not forget anything. It will help to avoid last minute hurdles. Pay all your outstanding bills to avoid doing it at the last minute. 2. Make a strategy Don’t start from anywhere. Make a proper strategy before starting the moving process. Inform all your utility suppliers so that you may not face inconvenience at your new home. Inform your local doctor about your relocation so that he can suggest you the best alternative in your new location.
Send information to your kids’ school a week before. Collect all your important documents before one week so that you may not forget them. 3. Hire a Removalist Don’t assume that you will manage everything by yourself or just by taking help of a few friends. It’s much more difficult than that. Lack of experience can make your move turn into a disaster. It’s better to hire a removal company. Do your research and hire the best removalist in Sunshine Coast. And hire them at least four weeks before so that they can visit your home and plan everything accordingly. 4. Start Decluttering Start decluttering your house as soon as you can. Don’t pack each and everything. You can donate things that are useless for you now. You can also hold a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items. 5. Packing Process Make a room just for packing in your current home. It will make things less cluttered. All the stuff will not be thrown here and there and it will also be safe if kept in one room where you are doing all the packing. Do not pack heavy items in one box. There will be a problem in carrying those heavy boxes, and you will end up breaking them. You will have to pack items again, and this will slow down your process of moving. Label all the boxes-Once everything is unloaded, the last thing you would want to do is open every other box to check what is in there and where to put them. It will make unpacking very exhausting and will waste a lot of your time. Hence, label all the boxes. Also, make the boxes with different symbols so that it becomes easy for you to figure out when in a hurry. 6. Make an inventory list This is a critical point to be noted. It will help you remember what you have packed and what not. You can avoid the fear of losing things at your place by
checking this inventory list. As soon as you complete one task, mark it on the inventory list. 7. One week before- final arrangement Check your inventory list again and again. Keep it handy. Make sure you have packed everything. Make sure you have informed all the important acquaintances and local people about your move. Double check all your boxes. Pack an essential bag for first initial days at your new home. 8. The move Day Start early in the morning. Check every corner of your home. Search all rooms. Check all wardrobes and drawers. This will help you avoid unnecessary back trips to your older place in case you forget something. This can add extra stress. So try not to forget anything and be calm about the move. Work according to your plan and you will pass through it easily.
6.0 Advice for Moving With Children Here are some tips for ensuring that your child transitions smoothly from one home to another. ➢ Cope ahead Before you prepare to relocate, talk to your child about what the move will be like, and what challenges might occur during the process of relocation. You can then start to problem—solve in advance. Younger kids also benefit from transitional exercises before a relocation; let your child help out with packing, or encourage her to choose the color of her new room. Involving children in the move in this way has the added benefit of making them feel in control at a time when events in their lives can seem out of their hands. ➢ Communicate
In addition to preparing your kids for the move, let them know that they can come to you at any point to talk about how the transition is going, or to ask for advice. It might be difficult to communicate with your child in the way that you would like if you are coping with a lot of your own stress or anxiety. Look to online resources—such as the Focus Project, or the Veteran Parenting Toolkit—for guidance on fostering closeness and communication with your child during stressful periods. ➢ Establish a routine When faced with the daunting task of unpacking box upon box in a new home, keeping regular mealtimes and bedtimes might not be your biggest priority. But it’s important to try and establish a routine for your kids as soon as you get to the new location. ➢ Make new friends, but keep the old For many kids, and especially for adolescents, the hardest part of relocating is having to leave close friends behind. Friendships are critical to older children, and teenagers can feel very isolated after moving to a community where they don’t have a built-in peer group. Breaking into new friend groups can be a difficult process, and military kids are sometimes reluctant to put in the effort because they know that they will likely have to move again in a few years. ➢ Collaborate with the new school Talk to teachers and administrators before your child’s first day of school. If your child is attending a school off-base, let them know that your child belongs to a military family. Make sure the school knows if a parent has been deployed. If teachers know that your child is going through a stressful time, they can monitor her to make sure she is doing well. ➢ Stay positive
Conclusion When you talk about the relocation with your child, focus on the good things about the move. Maybe you will be moving to a bigger house, or to a warmer climate. Maybe the child’s new school will have more extracurricular opportunities. Your own attitude toward the relocation can also have a tremendous impact on how your child handles the move. If you let your child see that you are stressed, sad, or angry about having to uproot the family, your child will likely feel stressed, sad, and angry too. So try to stay positive, even when you are feeling overwhelmed. Reference Joshua Green | Moving With Kids: Complete Practical Guide With Tips | Mymovingreviews, Retrieved 27 June, 2018 from, https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/moving-with-kids#baby-ortoddler ETHAN GREENFIELD (2017) | Common moving house myths you should not believe | Moving.tips, Retrieved 27 June, 2018 from, https://moving.tips/bonus-tips-and-tricks/moving-myths/ 8 Tips to Make a Quick Move-in Sunshine Coast | Better Removalist Sunshine Coast, Retrieved 27 June, 2018 from, https://www.betterremovalistssunshinecoast.com.au/8-tips-make-quickmove-sunshine-coast/ Ryan and Rachel Ehmke | Advice for Moving With Children | Childmind.org, Retrieved 27 June, 2018 from, https://childmind.org/article/advice-for-moving-with-children/