The decision to use interstate movers is a big one. After you’ve gotten some estimates from moving companies, you may find that your budget does not allow for the full range of services provided by long distance moving companies. In other words, you will be going most of the packing and unpacking yourself.
Before you begin packing, there are some things you should do to make the relocation go more smoothly. First, get out your camera. There are many ways a camera comes in handy. You may want to begin by taking pictures of your expensive or delicate belongings, in case the worst happens and they get lost or damaged during your relocation. This way, you will have proof of the items’ pre-move condition. If you have children, you may want to take pictures of their rooms and how they are arranged.
Relocating far away can be difficult for children to deal with. When they arrive in their new house, they may not know where to begin to get their old, familiar belongings back the way they were. Having photos to refer to ensures that they may get their rooms organized the way they were in their former house. You might want to take pictures of your own things for this same purpose. It will make the task of unpacking much less overwhelming if you have an idea of where to put everything as it is unpacked.
Next, you will want to purchase bubble wrap, news wrap, sturdy boxes of all sizes and a couple of tape guns. Big boxes can be filled with lightweight items such as clothing, stuffed animals, or other kids toys. Delicate or fragile items should be well-wrapped and labeled “Fragile.” Most moving companies and storage facilities also have for sale some specialty packing items, such as cushioned sheets for putting between pieces of china or dinnerware.
Have your children help with the packing. Children of almost any age can pack certain things. Having children pack up their own rooms, to the extent that they are able, reinforces the idea that even though they will be relocating far away, their old, familiar belongings will still be there with them. This can make the change easier, especially for teens, who are leaving behind good friends and many familiar things.
Lastly, make sure each and every box is labeled with its destination, such as “dining room,” “master bedroom.” Things will be confusing enough on move-in day without having to stop, open up a box, figure out what’s in it, and make sure it gets where it’s supposed to be.
Tags: Children
