Preparing your home and your family for a long-distance relocation

The best thing you can do for your family and kids during a long-distance relocation is plan in advance, so once moving day comes everything is in order. Alt-text: a dad playing with his daughter with a cardboard box while packing. 

It is a well-known fact that planning a relocation is one of the most dreadful processes you can go through. This is the opinion of all that went through a long-distance relocation without serious and systematic planning. However, everyone that knows anything about planning a move will tell you that is never simple and stress-free. But there are certain steps you can take towards your moving day which can almost guarantee a successful outcome. Especially if moving long-distance with your entire family you must do your due diligence. Here is how you can get things done and make sure your moving day is a pleasant experience for your entire family. 

How to deal with a long-distance relocation without losing sleep

Planning any type of move can be very difficult. Once you add the long-distance and kids to the equation, you are in for a bumpy ride. You can look at your long-distance relocation as a complex and multi-piece puzzle. All pieces must be in the perfect place if you plan on having a successful moving day. To put yourself in such a situation a lot must be done and pre-arranged. So, let’s not waste any more time because that is certainly of the essence during your upcoming move. Here is how you can plan your long-distance move and minimize the stress that follows such a complex process.

Communicate with your kiddos 

Putting your kids through a relocation can be quite a shock. Since children of all ages like their space and routine, changing things up can very often be followed by negative side effects. For that reason and many others, it is important to speak to your children and prepare them mentally for what is coming their way. There are ways to facilitate the process, so there is the least disruption possible. Before you get to that part, you must break the news. Be prepared that the initial response might not be positive. Even when relocation for a positive reason. If this becomes the case, be understanding and give your kids time to process. Once the dust settles, revisit the conversation and try a different approach or communication tactic.

Start on time 

There are countless moving tips and tricks that will work to your advantage. Still, no trick under the sun will help you if you run out of time. Thus, start preparing as soon as possible. There are many moving errands that you can do well in advance. So, get cracking! There is no time to waste. The last thing you want to be doing is going through a last-minute long-distance relocation.

Prioritize based on difficulty and time consumption  

Some moving tasks will be simple and easy while others will take up a lot of time and effort. It is important to be aware of the complexity of individual tasks and based on that knowledge prioritize them. For instance, the kitchen is one of the most difficult rooms to pack. Appliances are demanding when it comes to packing and transporting. Other items might be dangerous to handle. That is why you need to think twice when handling your kitchen. Therefore, get the most important room ready for the move, or be prepared to struggle on your moving day.

Be aware of your finances 

Every single relocation guide will emphasize this important advice and for good reason. Unlike moving locally, a long-distance relocation of any sort will demand a lot more funds. This is why you need to know from the jump how much can you afford to spend. Otherwise, you might find yourself in an undesirable predicament. Everything from packing supplies to professional movers costs a nice chunk of cash and it will be quite easy to overspend. Keep track of your budget and spend only what you can afford.

Self-storage and decluttering 

One of the best things you can do before you start planning your packing process is to declutter. The less you have to pack and transport, the easier your relocation will be. You can donate, give away or even sell your belongings that you choose to part from. Yet, you might come across certain items that you might need only on certain occasions or that you might not be ready to let go of. If that happens to be the case, use self-storage in your next move to keep your things safe and your future home clutter and mess-free.

Hire professional movers 

By now we have shared some concrete advice that can make your move substantially easier. Nevertheless, nothing can be better than hiring professional help to be by your side on your moving day. Professional movers have a wide variety of moving services that can turn your stressful relocation into a dream. So, if you can afford it let the professionals work their magic while you relax. This way your relocation can be a breeze without even lifting a finger.

Conclusion

A long-distance relocation is rarely a simple process. Yet there is a lot that you can do in advance to make this process easier on yourself, but particularly on your family. Keep in mind that the more you prepare the smoother the entire process will be. Consequently, your kids will have a more enjoyable transition and you will be able to focus more of your energy on them than on the relocation process. In the end, professional movers might be costly, but they are the best investment you can make when in such a predicament. While professional movers pack you, transport your belongings, reassemble and assemble furniture and then some, you can concentrate on your family.