Moving with Kids: How Unpakt Can Help

Moving is stressful! Add kids to the mix and it can reach the limits of pure chaos! Even sitting here trying to write this blog, I get that pit in my stomach thinking about it. Moving can be an overwhelming experience for young kids who aren’t exactly sure what is happening and what to expect. It’s also an overwhelming experience for us parents who are in charge of packing up EVERYTHING all the while taking care of kids and making sure the kids are mentally prepared for the changes that are coming.

About a year ago, we decided to make the move from San Marco to Ponte Vedra. My husband always wanted to be at the beach. I wasn’t sold. I was born and raised a “townie” and just wasn’t convinced the beach lifestyle was for me. Then after about two years of making the drive to and from the beach multiple times a week from friends’ houses after hanging out or just to take the kids to the beach, the lightbulb finally went off in my head. Duh! Why don’t we just live down here? Most of our friends are down here, there is always something for the kids to do AND the public schools are top notch. So our quest for finding a house and making the move to beach began. (Let me just say, the beach is amazing and I don’t know what took me so long to get on board.)  I’ve compiled a few tips that I think made the transition a little easier on me and the kiddos.

Find great reliable movers and book them early!

If you haven’t moved before, the thought of finding good reliable movers can be overwhelming. I sure wish I had known about Unpakt. Unpakt is the first web app, digital marketplace, price comparison site for moving services. Think Expedia for moving. This would have saved me so much time! I can’t tell you how much time was spent on the phone talking to moving companies just to get ballpark prices.

How Unpakt Works:

• Plan your move by entering your move basics (when, where, what you’re moving).
• Compare moving companies with exact prices, user reviews, services and more. Not ready to commit? Save your move plan for later and make changes anytime.
• Book your mover at a guaranteed price. The only way your price will change is if you edit your inventory or conditions (distance, stairs etc.).

How great is that!? Here are some images of Unpakt’s site. Visit their website here to learn more!

Involve the kids if you can!

Our kids came and looked at houses with us. It was fun for them and they felt like they were getting some say in where we would be living. We had the kids help pack up their rooms and decide on things to keep and what to give away. They also made decisions on how their new rooms would be decorated, so we talked a lot about the new rooms they’d be sleeping in. Giving kids some say in choices is a great way include them and get them excited for changes that might otherwise scare them a bit.

Say farewell to your old neighborhood.

We wanted our kids to remember their first home so we arranged for one of our favorite photographers to come and photograph out family at our old house. We lived on the duck pond and wanted her to capture some of our great memories of the house and our neighborhood. Other great ideas are having a goodbye party with friends and neighbors, especially if moving out of town. This a great way for kids to celebrate their move.

Settle In

If at all possible, get your kids room settled first thing. This is comforting to have their old stuff in their new space and they can settle into their old routine as quickly as possible. Go meet the new neighbors. Have your kids help make cookies or treats for the new neighbors and go introduce yourself. You’ll find out if there are other kids your kid’s age in the neighborhood (hello playdates!) or if maybe there are some older kids that would be great babysitters (hello date night!).

Find help to make YOUR life easier.

Through the moving process, you are going to need as much help as possible. Have a babysitter come take your kids out for the day so you can focus on packing without the distraction of the kids. Have a packing party! Tell your friends you’ll supply pizza and beer if they come and help pack.

Are you making a move soon? Receive 5% instant cash back on your next move! Enter promo code: MOMSBLOG on Unpakt.com when booking and save. Must book by 6/30/13.

Have you made a move with kids? What helped you?