How to Move With Toddlers in Tow

Ah, moving with small children: it’s a joy, right? Hmmmm, sure! Well, what we do know for sure is that it can certainly be a challenge moving with two and three year olds underfoot. How can you keep them busy while you prep for your home move? Here are some tips that will help you keep your sanity and get everything done on time.

1.    Get Them Involved

If you want the moving process to run as smoothly as it can, even young kids should understand what’s going on and what they can expect. They may get upset seeing you pack up their favorite things and strangers carrying those boxes out of the only house they have ever known. But because their memories are short and toddlers are notorious for asking tons of questions, it’s best to save that talk for right before the move is happening.

2.    Reach Out For Help

It’s in a mom’s nature not to ask for help when they need it. You may assume you can do it all on your own because you don’t want to bother anyone. Truth is, your friends and family want to help in any way they can, so reach out and ask them for assistance when you need it. And if they offer first, don’t decline out of instinct – take them up on it! They may offer to watch your child for a few hours, or bring a home cooked meal so you don’t have to worry about what you’ll do for dinner. Whatever it is, accept it and be grateful.

3.    Pack Early

Start packing early and chip away at it while you can, such as during nap times or movie times. Start with rooms that don’t get used often, and end with your toddler’s room. You want to minimize the disruption as much as possible. Involve them when you can, according to their age and abilities. A three year old is perfectly capable of placing all their favorite stuffed animals in a box.

4.    Stay Positive

Your toddler will naturally be scared of change, so do all you can to keep the entire experience positive. By showing how excited you are about the move, you’re showing them it’s OK to be excited too. This will lead to a calmer relocation with fewer tantrums along the way. Of course, this isn’t to say they won’t have moments of sadness, confusion or even anger as they face a new reality. They will. Take these moments of emotion in stride, calm them down, and remind them of how much fun they will have in their brand new house.

Augment the positives. Will they have their own room this time? Focus on that. Is the yard spacious with a playground? That’s another aspect to play up.

In the end, moving with a toddler can be trying at times, but with the right support system behind you, it can go smoothly.

Contact Pack It Up Movers

While we can’t babysit for you, we can take one element of stress off your shoulders – the move itself! Contact us today in Turlock CA at 209-566-2331 for a free quote to get started.