moving with kids

[Anonymous]

For many reasons we are putting our house up for sale and moving to a bigger house closer to work. we have a 3 year old and a baby on the way and moving right now seems so overwhelming to me. how do we keep our house in showing condition with small kids? how will we time which preschool my son will go to when we don't know how long it will take to sell the house? just so many things about moving seem difficult to do with kids. i know people with kids move all the time so any advice on how to make things go smoother?

[Anonymous]

I have moved so many times I should publish a book. 6 times since 2001. My last move was while my ds was just 3 and my ds was 8months, b4 that I moved when ds was 2 and I was 6 months preg. I won't go pass that, don't want to bore you. I would say try to relax. Take a deep breath. Put your house on the market for a fair price, keep it somewhat clean, toys are not dirt, they are toys. I think people understand that. Apply to both preschools, where you are now, and where you are moving. That is what I did. When your house sells, which hopefully will be quick, tell them you are moving. They keep your deposit. that is what it is for. The only thing I refuse to do is move myself. It really isn't that expensive to hire a mover, especially this time of year and it is a tax write off. Ask the moving company which days are less expensive. The price changes for week day, end of month blah blah blah. good luck

[Anonymous]

We moved cross country twice with a child <3, plus one in-city move. My best advice is to throw money at the perceived problem, even if you don't feel like you have the money at the moment. You can make it up somehow later.

So: hire a cleaner if you don't have one already. Have her do all the scouring every week. If you have one coming every two weeks, see if she can come every week.

I agree with PP, paying someone else to pack your stuff is worth every cent. Every cent. They'll ask if you "want to pack some of the things yourself." Say no.

[Anonymous]

We just moved to DC with a 2 1/2 year old and 3 month old baby. TOTAL nightmare!! But here's what helped -- like the PPs mentioned, hire moves to pack everything. Do not attempt to pack anything yourself, because it's impossible. Then hire movers to UNPACK when you arrive at your new home. Or if you can afford it, hire someone who has some interior design experience and who can help place furniture and hang artwork, etc. MOST important -- something we didn't do and regretted it - on the day of the move, on both ends, get help taking care of your children. Whether it's a family member or a babysitter, get help. Otherwise you will end up as traumatized as I did -- 3 months later and I'm still not completely recovered. Best of luck!!!