The process of moving from one house to another is a significant undertaking. This rings especially true for parents planning to move. Between managing schedules for work and school and planning and executing a move, all the responsibilities of daily life and the impending relocation fall on the hands of parents. However, one way to help streamline the moving process is to make your kids a part of the moving process. Providing kids with moving responsibilities — that accommodate their respective skill sets — not only keeps them entertained and busy, but it can also help comfort them in the face of this significant life change. If you’re a parent planning a move, consider these four tips from movers in Gainesville with UF Mover Guys for the best ways your kids can help move.
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Downsizing Belongings
A cardinal rule of moving is getting rid of excess. Relocations are great opportunities for paring down what we own and only keeping the things that serve a necessary function and the items that matter to us. Parents not only have to edit their belongings, but they also must tackle all their kids’ things too. Involving your kids in this organizational stage of moving is both an excellent way to delegate responsibility and help teach children the importance of living without excess and giving back to their local community. Offer kids a box and ask them to go through their belongings and to put into the box the things they no longer play with or need that another child might enjoy. Before dropping off the items for donation, sift through the collection to ensure nothing particularly important — like car keys — accidentally gets donated.
Labeling Boxes
If your child can and enjoys writing or drawing, consider handing over to them the important job of labeling your moving boxes. Labeling boxes can do a lot for moving families, especially when it comes time to unload the moving truck and decide where to put each box in the new home. In addition to labeling boxes based on where they should go in the new place, your kids can decorate the boxes by drawing the items included in each box or just doodle as they please. Delegating the task of moving-box labeler might save a small amount of time during the moving process, but it can also serve a larger purpose by keeping your kids busy and involved while you focus on packing up and moving.
Packing Their Essentials Bag
When it comes to moving, not everything should be packed in moving boxes. Each member of your family should have an essentials bag set aside. This bag should contain everything each person might need in the days leading up to and following the move. By having an essentials bag handy during the move, you can avoid digging through already packed boxes to find everyday essentials. For kids, essentials can include their toiletries, pajamas, favorite blanket or toy, books, and any other regular necessities. For children who can read, we recommend providing them with a checklist of items detailing the items they should pack. If your child isn’t old enough to read just yet, hand them a bag and tell them to go for it. In this case, you might need to make some adjustments to the bag’s contents, but it serves as a way to help kids feel included in the moving process, and some of the work will be done for you.
Mapping Our Their New Room
Relocations are a big deal for kids. Some kids might feel anxious or scared about giving up their old room for a new one. One of the best ways to help your child adjust their ideas about your move is mapping out their new room before your planned moving day. Outline what their new room will look like and ask them to illustrate how they want to arrange it. This can include where they want to put their bed, desk, or other furniture pieces, among other items. You probably won’t end up with a detailed blueprint that you can follow directly, but you might get a good idea about how they envision their bedroom set-up. Once they are finished with this project, consider sitting with them and discussing additional ideas, such as designating a space in the room for a special reading nook or a craft corner.