We’re moving. Even writing those words makes me nervous! After a year-and-a-half of establishing ourself as a family in our first duplex, to building roots our first single-family home for the following three years, to now getting ready to shift yet again—I’m scared.

I’m scared because, in some ways, it feels like starting over. And yet, I love beginnings, too. I think I’m just all over the place! And I’m sure there are others in my shoes. That’s why I thought I’d create this list of tips for parents getting ready to move. Perhaps it can ease all of our worried minds that, despite the craziness around relocating, it’s going to be good. 

1. Take The Process Step-By-Step

I don’t know about you, but I tend to be an overthinker. For me, deciding to move wasn’t easy. I was continually in flux between wanting a place that was bigger and better for our family. . . but I also loved (and still love) where we are.

I knew that a move was inevitable for my business, but that didn’t make the searching process any easier. And as we got closer to taking the final steps and saying ‘yes,’ I found myself struggling with how I would tell my kiddo, too.

But this is what I’ve learned: You have to take the process step-by-step. Telling my kid we were moving before I even found a place just didn’t make sense! So, instead of stressing us out over something that hadn’t even happened, I put my focus on searching. Then viewing. Then bringing the family along to view. Then having the conversation before really moving forward.

It has to be a one-decision-by-one-decision approach, otherwise you’ll feel overwhelmed and you’ll be thinking about (stressing about) and planning about something that isn’t conceptualized yet. It’s better to take it slow so that you aren’t using up mental space and energy for something that you don’t need to (yet).

2. Create Community In Your New & Old Places

Building community is one of the hardest things about moving. Now that my son is a teenager—and really getting into the years where he wants to be more independent—I feel like community is even more important. We have friends and family in our current location. . . and moving to a new place, in some ways, feels like leaving this behind.

But it’s not. And it’s important to remember that leaving doesn’t mean forgetting.

You can continue to build relationships with people in your ‘old’ space while focusing forward. Keep connected in the group chats, stay joined on the local pages, and invest time and energy in preserving the meaningful connections you have.

But, don’t focus so much on what was that you don’t look ahead to what is.

Take time to visit your new location (the home, community, block, local park, etc.) and get to know what and who is around. Sure, it won’t be easy to make friends at first, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Commit to creating a healthy balance between going back and being around old friends/family, but also investing time in making new relationships in your new place. Community isn’t this ‘one-size-fits-all’ kind of thing and there isn’t a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to build it. Just focus on fostering connections wherever you are without feeling like you need to sacrifice one space/connection fully for another.

3. Think About Your Moving Process In Advance

Moving is never fun, but if you’re unprepared, it’s even worse!

I’ve moved almost 5 times in the past seven years. I’ve also helped my sister and quite a few friends, too. Every time, it’s a pain. But in the end it’s amazing. The only times it’s really been tough is when people aren’t thinking ahead. And when you’re a parent, one of the best tips for parents getting ready to move is this: plan your move in advance!

Planning ahead means taking time to think about:

• Your packing process and what you’ll need (ex: boxes or other tools)
• The actual move and if you’ll move yourself or hire a company
• When you’ll move vs. when you need to get out of your current space (the actual dates)
• How long you’ll need
• What other help or support you’ll need during the transition (child care, food/meals, lodging, etc.)
• The prioritization of what’s unpacked (ex: beds, blankets, pillows for sleeping first and food for meals)

One of the biggest questions is whether or not you’ll hire a moving company. Sure, it’s great to do everything yourself and save money, but depending on the size of your home and family, as well as the turnaround time to get out of your place and settled in your new one, it may be advantageous to invest in help.

For families in the Southern California area, Big Deahl’s Movers are a great choice because of location, affordability, and efficiency! It’s important to find a company that prioritizes getting your move done fast and most importantly right. 

Investing in a moving company, especially when you’re a parent, isn’t easy because you want to ensure that your family’s items are safe and secure. That’s why using a trusty, highly-related, and reliable company like these Rancho Cucamonga long distance movers is a must!

4. Create A Reasonable Budget

Moving is stressful, sure, but it’s also a lot of fun! However, if you’re not being smart about your move with respect to your budget, things can go haywire pretty quickly. For me, budget is always the biggest challenge! When I move to a new space, I get excited about how I want to decorate, what I want to change, and what things I can do to make my space feel more ‘homey.’ Oftentimes this means investing in some new furniture, purchasing new décor items, or starting DIY projects that tend to be a little hefty price-wise.

While I don’t want to discourage you from any of this—because, let’s face it, this is what moving is all about!—it’s important to be realistic, too. That’s why I would highly recommend creating a reasonable budget to rein yourself in.

First, take look at your current monthly costs vs. income and analyze where your money is going to. Then, ask yourself where you may have some wiggle room. Next, itemize what your ‘wants’ are vs. your ‘needs’ and be clear about the difference between the two. It may be a good idea to create common goals within your family for things you want to save up for and prioritize those things, too, so that you can all work together. You may not get everything you want right away, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible in the long-run. Take your time, work together as a family, and set goals!

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Involve Others

Just like it’s important to ask for help with regards to hiring a moving company, it’s also a good idea to see how you can take advantage of help! Chances are, your friends and family want to be involved your moving process but don’t quite know how. One of the best tips for parents getting ready to move is to ask for (and allow!) help.

Whether this is having people physically move your items or organize your closets, watch your kids or bring over a meal, put money towards your dream outdoor furniture or simply keep you company as you unpack, there are so many ways that friends and family can be a part of your move, easy your burdens, or keep you mentally positive. Don’t be afraid to ask, and don’t be afraid to allow help when it knocks at your door!

For other moving tips, head to the Lifestyle Category on our blog!