Ten years ago, when I was going through a divorce, moving became a nightmare because I had to move with my two-year-old in tow. This was my first time moving with a kid and he loved opening every box I just finished. The task was daunting and eventually I lost motivation to pack and move. Luckily, I got some valuable moving advice from a friend, which lightened my load and served as my moving roadmap for the next few years.
Moving tips for single moms
After years of moving without any support to co-manage the task of moving, I have learned many ways to reduce the cost and task of moving. Here are some of my tips to help you transition to a new place with your kids.
Find reliable child care
The last few days before the moving truck arrives are overwhelming and dangerous. You are moving heavy furniture and electronics with your children around you which is a significant risk. First, it’s important to make sure your children have child care before the peak moving season. Talk to a close friend or family member you can trust about your child. If this is not possible, get advice from a reputable nursery and pre-register your child so you are free to focus on your moving list.
Create your moving itinerary
You should always plan and manage your moving tasks carefully to avoid making mistakes, or worse, forgetting important items at the last minute. Sit back and get a list-making tool that’s as easy as Notepad on your smartphone. Think about your home and decide everything you need to do. The moving itinerary will cover everything from transferring utilities to buying groceries on moving day. Check online moving checklists to look for things you may have forgotten.
Manage your utilities
Home utilities, especially electricity and internet, are two major needs to keep your daily life running smoothly. Therefore, you’ll need to manage utilities at both the old and new locations in advance to avoid disruptions. Contact your local service provider to reduce utility connections at the old location and manage connections at the new location on moving day. This pre-arrangement can help you avoid extra bills or sit in the dark surrounded by boxes when you first move into your new home.
Delegate your tasks
If your children are in school, you will have plenty of time to pack all your belongings on your own without having to take care of your children. However, with younger children, you’ll need to take care of them while also juggling an ever-piling pile of moving tasks. One of the best moving tips for this situation is to delegate some tasks to your family and friends. This way you can focus on the parts of the list that you can easily manage with your kids, and only receive tasks that others have completed. The update is complete.
Book a rental truck
You can skip this section if you are carrying less items that are easy to load into your vehicle. Otherwise, you will need to rent a suitable truck that can accommodate all your belongings and move everything safely to your new location. Last minute bookings are always confusing as you may have to compromise on the quality of the work at the last minute. So, pre-book your truck before packing your goods so that you can get affordable quotes and quality services.
Organizing before packaging
The most important moving rule is to move only those items that are useful and can find their designated place in your new home. So, before packing, organizing your home is a must-do. Go room by room, cleaning every corner of your home and removing any items you won’t use in your new place. Organize a garage sale or donate all items to charity. Sort all the items you want to keep into different categories so that similar items are kept together when packing. As a result, your unpacking in your new location will be smoother.
Pack and move
Once you know what you’re moving, you should stock up on plenty of quality packing materials. Start with items you use occasionally and end with moving day. Keep a separate bag of essentials for you and your child. Include everything you will need for a few days until your home is completely furnished and organized. Load all your belongings onto the truck under your supervision, get in with your kids and move to your beloved home.
Rent a full moving service
If you’re struggling to take on these moving tasks, we totally understand. Moving is difficult, especially when you are alone with children. In this case, we highly recommend looking for a reputable full container moving service such as Mack Corporation. These companies cover the entire list themselves with their expertise and moving experience. Your peace is more important than money. Let a professional help you escape the stress of mobility while you and your child find comfort in each other.
Final Thoughts on These Basic Moving Tips
Moving as a single mom when you have young children can be difficult, especially if you’re not fully prepared. So stick to your moving schedule to keep the entire process on track. Make sure everything is completed on time. If you’re not sure you can handle it all yourself, consider hiring a professional. Ensure a smooth transition.
