I remember back in the late 80's when frequent flyer programs
and cards were becoming very popular, due to the increase in business
travel brought on by prosperous times. Today, however, our global
economy has necessitated the growth of another trend. More and more
people and families are relocating to new cities, states, and sometimes
countries for their companies. For those folks who do this often,
there should be a frequent mover s card! I know we would have one.
Membership might include a list of reliable babysitters in your new
area, maps showing all the McDonalds with ball pits, a directory
of other stay-at-home moms, and an express move-in service where
someone comes to unpack your goods so that you can get your kids
acclimated with no stress (just kidding .more on that topic below).
My oldest daughter is not yet four years old, and she s lived in
four states. Hopefully, this will slow down for us before she enters
school, but in the meantime, it has taught us a lot about how to
plan for a move and how to prepare ourselves for the change. Perhaps
others would benefit from our learning experience. I ve compiled
a list of things to think about when moving so that your move goes
a little easier.
Take some time to have a little celebration for Dad, if his job
is the reason for your move. He needs to know that his family is
behind him while he works for the betterment of your lives. Hopefully
you ll have some time to get organized before your things have to
be packed. It s a good idea to use this time to go through your belongings
and pitch whatever you don t want to take to your new home. It s
easier now that it will be later when you just want to get settled
and find places for everything so you can get rid of those pesky
boxes!
Make a list of all your utilities, and don t forget garbage collection
(like I did a couple moves back), and stop service with them accordingly.
Depending on how your home sells, your realtor may have some ideas
on that. Or if your relocating company is buying your home from you,
they may make some preferences known, as well. If at all possible,
it s best to wait until you have a forwarding address for the utilities
so that you can still correspond for billing purposes. When canceling
your telephone service, have your new number handy so that they can
give that information when callers try to reach you at your old number,
if you care to have that information available.
Make a list of all the places you will have to notify of your move.
For instance, you ll want to tell all of your doctors and dentists
so that records can be forwarded. Don t forget about your automobile
insurance company. Also, you ll need to let your church know, as
well as any other organizations to which you and your family belong.
Check with your homeowner's association to find out if you are entitled
to any of your dues back, pro-rated during the paid year.
If given the choice of having the movers unpack you when you reach
your destination home, think very hard about whether or not you want
this. It has been my experience that it is much easier to unpack
yourself. When you do this, you are able to attack boxes in the order
in which you choose. You can put your belongings in the place that
they will ultimately go, rather than having your things placed all
over your home awaiting your decisions. Having the movers unpack
for you has one advantage: they will remove the cartons and packing
papers for you. Other than that, you will feel as though you are
much more in control of the task when you do it yourself. Also, your
things will not be scattered all over for you and your family to
wade through until you can get to them.
Have two boxes set aside just for you. First, have a ''last minute''
box set aside in which you can toss important things; for instance,
items that you ll need up until you walk out of your house. This
might include cleaning supplies, rags, your telephone, a stray coffee
mug, picture hooks, or whatever you might find as you do your final
walk-through. The other box can be pre-packed with the following
emergency-type items for when you get to your new home, just in case
there is a problem with the delivery van: Soap, shampoo, towels,
and a shower curtain (liner only suits this purpose)
- Box of crackers, jar of peanut butter, knife
- Plastic pitcher, package of drink mix, paper cups
- Cooking pan, package of pasta, jar of sauce
- Extra diapers and wipes
- Bed linens, bed pads, and blankets (these take up space you may
need two boxes)
- Telephone and answering machine
- Toilet paper and garbage bags
- Cleaning supplies and rags
- Small tool kit
- Children s books and maybe some for you and Hubby, too
- Favorite toys
- Change of clothes for all family members
- Personal address/phone book
This box should travel in the family vehicle to ensure its safe arrival
and to make sure it s with you at all times, since they represent emergency
items.
Make sure you have set aside important documents pertaining to the
move, mortgage papers, closing documents, etc.
Always have with you (so that they don t get packed) your checkbook,
credit cards, and driver s license.
If your husband is already working at the new location, that means
you are by yourself, taking care of these delightful details. If
your friends offer to take your children for you so you can think
straight for a couple of hours, LET THEM! It ll save your sanity
and that of your loved ones, as well.
Talk constantly to your children about the move. Tell them every
detail you can think of. It s important that they can envision strange
people putting their things in boxes before it actually happens.
Tell them how the boxes will go on a big truck along with the beds,
couches, TV, video tapes, toys, beanie friends, dishes, etc Explain
how the truck will safely take your things to your new house and
put everything inside! Have your children draw pictures of what they
think will happen, and then talk about what they draw. As soon as
you are in your new home and have a minute to breathe, and before
you do ANYTHING ELSE, take 20 minutes and have a celebration party.
Your children will need to feel a part of the activity, and they
will need your focused, stress-free (you can pretend here), and loving
attention. It might be as simple as cookies and juice and singing
a couple songs.
Take your children's picture sitting on the front porch of your
new house on moving day. It s a special moment and a good one to
record.
After you've been settled in for a day or two, let your children
write notes (with your help, if necessary) to their friends that
they will miss. As crazy as this sounds, try, try, try to enjoy this
exciting time. Children pick up on our stress, and you want them
to feel that this very big change is a good and happy one. If they
struggle with moving away from friends, explain that you understand
how much they will miss their friends, but the very important thing
is that you are together as a family.
When you are settled in, don t forget to check out the Main Street
Mom playgroups page to see if there is a playgroup in your new area.
If not, start one! You can also find many mom s clubs on the internet
to see if there is a chapter of any club in your area. You will need
the friendship for both you and your children.
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