Moving tips for single parents

Moving

alt.tag: single parent and daughter playing moving house 

Raising kids by yourself is surely challenging.  That’s why moving as a single parent is often even more demanding, so you need to be as calm and organized as ever. This is surely the time where you’ll need extra time, energy, and money, so organizing in detail is absolutely necessary. If you don’t know where to begin, this is a perfect guide for you. Here are some useful moving tips for single parents, that will make this journey safe and stress-free, helping you arrive at the new address without any problems. 

Organize everything…

There’s so much to do when it comes to moving house. Kids have their needs, everyday chores don’t disappear, and moving tasks start to pile up. That’s why you need to make sure you organize every little detail of this move. This will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and risking your health and the safety of your family. Leave nothing to chance, and start by making the list of things you need to do, schedule, or buy before the big day comes. More importantly, give yourself time to manage all of the moving work. Start preparing months in advance so there’s no worry you’ll forget to do something. 

…but don’t do everything on your own!

The fact you’re moving as a single parent surely puts a lot of burden on you. This means you’ll have to manage most of the moving tasks on your own. However, don’t try to do absolutely everything by yourself. DIY moves are challenging even when there are more adults taking care of the move. Here are some ways to let others help you out and make this move simpler and easier:

  • ask family and friends for some assistance – they can take care of the kids and pets while you finish certain tasks, help you pack for the move, or give you some of their leftover packing supplies;
  • hire moving professionals – letting moving experts help you with the transport of your belongings is something you should do even if you weren’t a single parent. Trusting reliable professionals will save you a lot of time and energy, but be sure to pick the right ones that will not cause any trouble.
  • assign certain tasks to kids – if your kids are old enough, they can surely help you with certain moving tasks. You can let them help you with unpacking their rooms, sorting the toys and books, etc. Even though they are just kids, they should be aware of the moving situation and learn more about work and responsibilities.

Start earlier than usual 

Normally, you would need a couple of weeks to manage to prepare your home for the move. However, one of the most useful moving tips for single parents is to start early. Begin with making plans a couple of months in advance. You’ll have to organize the whole process but also prepare financially for this journey. Moving house can get expensive, so don’t let unexpected costs surprise you and put you off the track. Get a couple of estimates, interview moving company representatives, and talk to friends who moved recently. Gather enough information so you can save enough money and move without stress.

Planning the budget and saving in advance will make everything easier. alt.tag: a calculator and planning the move as a single parent

Find more ways to save

One source of income is probably the biggest challenge when moving as a single parent. After making your moving budget, explore the ways you can spend less on the move.  This can be done in many ways – finding free moving boxes, using items from your home as packing supplies, packing by yourself, etc.  Affordable moves are not impossible to do, you just need to be more resourceful.

Reduce the number of moving boxes 

If you have fewer items to pack, you’ll certainly spend less money and time on the move. When moving as a single parent, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of decluttering your home before you start packing. Get rid of everything that your family members don’t need, wear or use. You’d be surprised how a detailed decluttering session can make your packing process faster!

Pack less to pack fast – declutter your home for faster and less expensive packing. alt.tag: a man packing taping a moving box

Talk to your kids about the move 

Sometimes, single parents are overwhelmed by the number of tasks they need to finish before the moving day. This makes them forget about the reaction of their kids, and the negative feelings they might have about the move. Make sure you talk about the moving plans on time, so they have enough time to prepare for this change. Also, don’t forget to give them time to adapt to the new environment. Sometimes it takes a while for them to accept the new home, school, and neighborhoods, so try to be as understanding and supportive as possible. 

Moving as a single parent involves a couple of serious talks with your young ones. alt.tag: a single mom playing with her kids

Take care of yourself

Last but not least, you shouldn’t forget to take care of yourself during the moving process. These couple of months and weeks can be pretty exhausting. That’s why single parents should do their best to keep positive and healthy. Proper organization of the move will give you enough time to eat and sleep well, and stay in a good shape. As you’re responsible for your kids as well as the safety of your move, you need to ensure you feel good and have enough energy to manage everything. 

Handle the moving day as a pro

The last item on the list of moving tips for single parents is related to the big day. Moving day is quite hectic, so make sure you’re ready for it. It’s best to hire a babysitter or ask somebody you know to take care of the kids while you deal with the boxes and movers. Also, be ready for the road, as well as the first night in the new home. Pack the bag/box of essentials, to avoid unpacking everything to find a favorite toy or pajamas. And finally – stay positive and enjoy the fact you and your young ones will now have a new home!

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meta: For those planning the move with kids – here are some moving tips for single parents that will make the move simple and trouble-free.