A Guide for Moving with Children

If you think moving from the Bay Area to another household in a new location is stressful enough, try doing it while having kids with you. Without the proper planning, strategies, and know-how, you will surely find a hard time keeping the process run smoothly.

At NOR-CAL Moving Services, we’ve been moving Bay Area families to new homes throughout the country and the world since 1982. We know how physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging moving can be for parents, and how surprisingly tough it can be on kids as well.

If you’re planning a move out of the Bay Area, there are some things you can do to help make the process easier for the entire family. In this article, our Bay Area moving company experts share some of our favorite tips and tricks for moving with children for a smooth, successful moving experience.

PACK IN PEACE

PACKING, ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN UNDERFOOT, CAN BE IMMENSELY DIFFICULT. IT’S HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU PACK WHILE YOUR KIDS ARE ASLEEP TO GET THE MOST WORK DONE WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS. IF YOU ARE HIRING A MOVING SERVICES COMPANY AND PART OF THE SERVICE IS PACKING, TRY AND SCHEDULE THE MOVERS TO COME IN WHILE THE KIDS ARE AWAY AT A RELATIVE OR FRIEND’S HOME, SO THAT YOU CAN CONCENTRATE ON MANAGING THE WORK DONE AT HOME.

HIRE A BABYSITTER

HIRING A BABYSITTER, OR ASKING A CLOSE FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO WATCH YOUR CHILDREN WHILE YOU MOVE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. MOVING DAY CAN BECOME QUITE HECTIC, AND CHILDREN CAN BECOME QUITE STRESSED OR NEEDY WITHOUT YOUR USUAL ATTENTION ON THEM THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. A BABYSITTER CAN KEEP THEM ENTERTAINED IN A SPARE BEDROOM OR TAKE THEM OUTSIDE TO PLAY WHILE YOUR LONG-DISTANCE MOVERS ARE HELPING YOU MOVE SO THAT YOU CAN STAY FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND.

BE AN EARLYBIRD

MOVING ALWAYS SEEMS TO TAKE AT LEAST TWICE AS LONG THAN YOU’D EXPECT. WITH CHILDREN, HOWEVER, THE PROCESS CAN TAKE EVEN LONGER THAN THAT, WHICH IS WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO START PREPARING FOR THE MOVE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. AT NOR-CAL MOVING SERVICES, WE SUGGEST BEGINNING THE PACKING PROCESS AT LEAST A FEW MONTHS IN ADVANCE OR HIRING PROFESSIONAL MOVERS TO HELP YOU CREATE A PERSONALIZED MOVING SCHEDULE THAT INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL PACKING SERVICES ON THE AGENDA.

SECRETLY SELL, DONATE, OR GIVE AWAY TOYS

CHILDREN OFTEN OUTGROW TOYS QUICKLY, AND YOU MIGHT BE HOPING TO SELL, DONATE, OR GIVE AWAY ANY UNUSED TOYS IN THE BACK OF THE CLOSET AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TOY CHEST BEFORE THE MOVE HAPPENS. IF THIS IS THE CASE, AVOID SEPARATING UNWANTED ITEMS IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN. EVEN IF A CHILD HAS FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT A TOY AND COULD CARE LESS ABOUT IT UNDER ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, SEEING IT AGAIN WILL MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO LET YOU GET RID OF IT FOREVER.

ANOTHER GREAT TIP FOR UNWANTED ITEMS IS TO SELL THEM ONLINE WITHOUT YOUR CHILDREN FINDING OUT. APPS LIKE LETGO AND POSHMART MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO POST TOYS AND OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE IN YOUR AREA, AND YOU CAN EASILY MAKE SOME MONEY GETTING RID OF ITEMS IN GOOD CONDITION THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO TAKE WITH YOU TO YOUR NEW HOME. YOU CAN ALSO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ONLINE YARD SALE AND MOM’S GROUPS TO SELL EVERYTHING YOU DON’T NEED AND THEN SECRETLY HAVE THE ITEMS SHIPPED TO THE BUYER—WITHOUT YOUR CHILDREN FINDING OUT, OF COURSE.

MAKE THE MOVING EXPERIENCE EXCITING

MOVING CAN BE HARD ON THE KIDS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE OLDER ONES THAT ARE SAD ABOUT LEAVING FRIENDS BEHIND. PLAN A FEW SURPRISES RELATED TO THE MOVE TO KEEP YOUR KIDS’ MORALE UP AND HELP THEM ADJUST. FOR EXAMPLE, SURPRISE THEM WITH TOYS FOR THE CAR RIDE TO YOUR NEW HOME, OR PLAN FOR AN EXCITING NIGHT OUT AT A LOCAL ATTRACTION IN YOUR NEW CITY. HAVING SOME EXCITING SURPRISES WILL HELP THEM TO EMBRACE THE CHANGE, AND TO FEEL EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW ADVENTURE THAT LIES AHEAD.

IF YOU’RE IN NEED OF A RELIABLE BAY AREA MOVING COMPANY TO HELP YOU WITH ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR LOCAL OR LONG DISTANCE MOVE, NOR-CAL MOVING SERVICES HAS YOU COVERED WITH TOP-QUALITY, EXPERT RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. OUR TEAM IS HIGHLY TRAINED TO TAKE OVER THE PROCESS FOR A SMOOTH, SUCCESSFUL MOVING EXPERIENCE SO THAT YOU CAN FOCUS MORE ON HELPING YOUR FAMILY ADJUST TO YOUR NEW LIFE IN A NEW HOME.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM TODAY BY GIVING US A CALL. YOU CAN ALSO FILL OUT OUR QUICK, ONLINE FORM TO HAVE ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY AGENTS CONTACT YOU TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE, PERSONALIZED, IN-HOME MOVING QUOTE.