This anxiety only amplifies during the actual moving day, as people are going in and out of your home, and tinkering with your belongings. In the chaos of it all, a million things can go wrong, especially if you have children running around. For this reason, it’s very important to have a plan. 

A well-organized move is an excellent way to stay on top of the entire process. It’s also one of the best ways your family can stay stress-free while they transition to a new home. So, to help ease the burden of moving, here are a few tips on how to prepare your family for moving day.

Before Moving Day

If you want to prepare your family for moving day, then you need to start well in advance. This means organizing your things and talking to your kids about their new home. Here are a few useful tips to get you started:

1. Make a Moving Checklist

Since moving involves a lot more than just packing your things, it’s important to create a moving checklist. Writing down all the things you need to do before your moving day can be a good way to stay on top of things. If you want to make things even easier, make the checklist digital. 

For example, you can create a ‘moving folder’ on your computer. There, you can store pictures of quotes, receipts, and other information related to the move. This checklist can also include things you might otherwise forget to do like acquiring school transcripts for your kids, requesting time off work, figuring out a way to move fragile items, etc.

2. Create an Inventory

Moving can be a fairly pricey affair. However, if you make an inventory of all your belongings, you’re guaranteed to save a few extra dollars. Having a catalog makes calculating the cost of moving much easier. Moreover, it helps you decide what to take with you and what to throw away. A bonus is that your kids can help you catalog. Letting them decide what to bring to their new home is a great way to warm them up to the idea of moving.

3. Talk to Your Kids About Moving

While you’re preoccupied with the logistics of moving, it’s easy to forget your kids and their feelings. Moves are especially hard on children since they enjoy the comfort of a familiar routine. For this reason, it’s important that you emotionally prepare your family for moving day.

The best way to do this is to speak to your children and get them used to the idea of a new home. Show them pictures, take them to see them, and introduce them to the new neighborhood. It’s also a good idea to involve them in the moving decisions. Ask them which items they would like to bring along, how they would like to decorate the new house, etc. 

On Moving Day

1. Wake Up Early

On the day of, it’s important to get an early start. Waking up early will give you time to have a good breakfast and dress properly for the move. Having appropriate clothes during the whole process will help you stay comfortable and warm if your move is happening in winter. An early rise will give you the chance to prepare your family for moving day as well. You’ll be able to check all your kids' belongings and fit in last-minute packing in case they forgot something. 

2. Bring All the Important Documents With You

If your move is long-distance, then having important documents and valuables on your person is a must. Papers can easily get lost during the move, which is not something you want when you’re at a new home. Therefore, make sure you keep bank statements, important receipts and your family’s ID’s on you at all times. 

3. Pack a First Night Bag

While you’re busy worrying about the move itself, you can easily forget what you’ll do when you actually get there. To avoid rifling through heaps of boxes, it’s a good idea to pack a first night bag. Load it up with essentials you’ll need on your first night, like toiletries, plastic utensils, pillows, and pajamas. If you want to save money on takeout, you can even pack some non-perishable food.

Hire Professionals to Make Things Easier

Even when you prepare your family for moving day well in advance, sometimes moving is just too much for you to handle on your own. If so, then you might want to consider asking for some extra help from a moving company. 

With a team of experienced professionals taking care of loading, transport, and unloading, your moving day is guaranteed to go perfectly. Plus, it will allow you to focus on what’s truly important — preparing your family for moving day. 

As Nancy Zafrani, the General Manager of Oz Moving & Storage, an NYC moving company, says: “Moving is already stressful enough if you’re doing it on your own, let alone with a family. This is why it’s important to hire a good moving company. It will free you from having to worry about the logistics of transporting your things, and let you focus on getting your family settled into your new home."

Final Thoughts

Moving days are incredibly hectic. For this reason, it’s important to prepare your family for moving day to make sure things go well. If you create an inventory and bring all the essentials with you, settling into your new home will be a breeze. Plus, if you hire a moving company, you’ll have more time to help your family transition to a new home.