Moving to a new house is quite the task, anyone will agree. With so many factors to think about, it is easy to see why people dread moving to a new house, as well as everything that comes with it. While that is very well the case for some people, it is worth remembering that a new chapter in your life is about to begin, and you have the opportunity to start fresh.
Moving to a new place as an individual is one thing but moving as a family unit is a whole new kettle of fish. There are several more factors to account for and more people to think about when making important decisions relating to the moving process. Should you be in this position as of late, you might find yourself tearing your hair out at the thought of upping sticks, but know you are not alone!
Detailed below, you will find a list of some factors to remember when moving to a new family home. No matter how many children you have, their age, or when you are intending to move, read on for more.
Clearly Communicate
While we have no doubt this is going to be a challenging and stressful period for you, it is also worth putting yourself in the position of your child. They are going through a period of change and might have conflicting feelings about what is going on. Rather than ignore or bypass how your child is feeling, you should ensure there are high levels of clarity and communication at all times.
Talking with your children when you first decide to move and preparing them for what is to come will make the process easier on them and give them time to process their emotions in a mature way. You should answer any questions they might have and explain them in ways that they will understand but which are not patronising.
Giving your child a chance to help with packing and unpacking and small bits of cleaning will turn what is sure to be a challenging and confusing time into something more enjoyable. Not to mention, you will have a pair of hands – albeit small – helping you out!
Set a Timeframe
This is something that should be completed sooner rather than later in your moving plans. Having an idea of when you want to be in your new home will give you a timescale from which to work. You will be able to complete various tasks that are on your to-do list by a certain date, but also keep yourself focused on what is ahead of you.
Naturally, you will need to account for any obstacles that might crop up during the moving process. In contrast, some obstacles are avoidable, and others are out of your control which could also impact the timescale.
Overall, you should note down the date that you intend to move into your new home and whether there is a date on which you need to have all your belongings removed from your existing home. Key handover dates are also incredibly important to note and is something you should have in your mind throughout the process.
Organise Your Belongings
Understandably, as a family, you will have a vast number of belongings. While nothing stops you from bundling everything up and shoving it in the back of a removals van, you would be making your life a lot harder on the other end; you don’t want to be endlessly searching for the kettle to get that well-earned cup of tea!
Organise your belongings into boxes and clearly label them on what room they belong in or based on what is within the box. From here, you will have a better idea of what needs to go where and can keep the bathroom stuff separate from the kitchen.
Nothing stops you from sorting through your belongings and getting rid of stuff you no longer want or need. Lessening the load in terms of what you are transporting is always helpful, particularly if you are moving a fair distance. Getting rid of your existing furniture and buying new sets as you move is also something to look forward to; you get to decorate your new home in the way you want and let your creativity shine. This takes us to the following section.
Buy New Furniture Where Applicable
Many people choose to get new furniture when moving to a new place, for it is a completely fresh start when doing so. At the same time, some individuals might be moving to a new place who have to leave their existing furniture behind due to living in an entirely furnished rented property. When in this position, it naturally makes sense to treat yourself and buy new furniture. Not to mention, this is also a part of the process where you can get your children involved!
As a parent, you might not have the time spare in your schedule to go trawling through the furniture stores to find what you want. Consulting online providers, including the likes of FURCO, to find what you need will minimise the amount of time you spend on something like this. What’s more, you needn’t worry about transporting the goods yourself, for you will be able to get them delivered to your door. Purchasing your new furniture before you move and having it delivered at a time that suits you when moving will reduce the stress you are under in more ways than one.
Take Time For Yourself
This could be viewed as something that is incredibly important throughout the moving process and which you should make a conscious effort to do. It is easy to ignore your well-being when organising something of this magnitude. Doing what you can to eat and drink healthily throughout the process will ensure you do not become run down in any way.
Setting aside some ‘me time’ is also recommended; whether this is a bubble bath coupled with candles, or a night on the sofa with a takeaway, looking after yourself both during the moving process and beyond will ensure things run as smoothly as possible, and that you are not sacrificing your health in any way.
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