Despite the stress, however, moving out-of-state can also be an exciting time. You’re going on a new adventure with the people you love! The best way to take the stress out of the equation so you can focus on the excitement is to prepare, prepare, prepare. We’ve put together some helpful tips to get you started. Here’s how to prepare to make your family’s out-of-state move a success:
Keep everything organized.
Cross-country moves involve a lot of information and a lot of paperwork. Create a focused organizational place for all of these things. When you’re traveling with family (and especially children), you can’t afford to overlook anything. Nothing produces more stress and anxiety during a move than losing a favorite toy or security blanket.
If you’re digitally-minded, create a spreadsheet where you track budgets, receipts, dates and similar information. If you’re more analog, try something simple like a dedicated file folder for all your paperwork. Taking the time to commit to organization can make a huge difference. Never underestimate a system!
Involve your kids every step of the way.
Change can be very stressful for young children. Keeping your kids happy during a move, at its core, is as simple as keeping them involved and informed. Tell them about the move far in advance so they have time to adjust and ask questions. Make an effort to get them excited about the move. If possible, take a trip to your future home so your kids can start to envision living there.
Stay positive and be honest before and during the move. Let your kids make choices about the new home. Let them choose the color of their bedroom walls or the art they want to hang up. Getting a total room makeover can be exciting, especially if your kids have grown out of their old pirate, Disney princess, or jungle animal décor phases. Give them responsibilities that help them feel like a part of the move, instead of a victim of it. They could label or decorate boxes, pack their rooms, or participate in any number of other ways. If you can involve your kids in the move, they’ll adjust to it far better.
Take time to be a tourist in your new state.
This is important for both you and your children. After you’ve finished the initial part of the move, expect an adjustment period as you get used to things. You can make this adjustment period a little easier and a lot more fun by exploring your new home.
Make a bucket list of all the places you want to visit in your first year at your new place. Visiting the new staycation options can give you and your kids something to bond over with new friends. Go out on the weekends as a family and find new places to visit and enjoy. Seek out a local bakery to frequent. Find parks that your kids love. Go to the museum, the theater or the aquarium. When you find the magical corners of your new home, you’ll find it easier to settle in happily.
Invest in professional movers.
Moving your family out-of-state is a big deal. You’ll have a lot to deal with and plan for. You’ll have to find your kids new schools, make address and documentation changes, learn how to navigate your new hometown and much more. Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew by attempting to juggle the packing and moving, too.
Instead, hire trusted professional movers and packers. Bekins can take care of the nitty-gritty of the packing and moving, so you can focus on what’s really important. Hiring movers may be a larger investment up-front, but what you save in time and sanity more than makes up for it.
If you’re planning to embark on an out-of-state move with your family in the near future, give Bekins a call. We’ve been helping families move from state to state and country to country for years now. We can help you streamline your move so that you can get to enjoying your new home as quickly as possible.
