Moving is stressful. Add to that single parenting with a few kids and you might be crossing your line. But don’t worry, if you take it easy and plan ahead, you can easily get it done! You may wonder how to relocate as a single mom. Here are some moving tips for single parents that will help you ease the stress of moving.
PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE
If you are a single mom and doing everything yourself, knowing when to start packing and moving is essential. As a single parent, you need to give yourself a little more time. At least 2-3 months before your move should be enough time to get everything done. Consider planning everything in advance in a planner and keeping it with you at all times. Anything you need to do before moving, write it down and schedule a day to do it. Use this time while the kids are at school to do the tasks that might be the hardest when they’re at home.
KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
The most important aspect of moving as a single parent is maintaining a positive attitude for the kids. Whether you move because of a divorce, death or another situation, it will also be difficult for the children. “Stay positive and keep a good attitude before you move. Don’t show your kids that you’re worried about the move, as that could make them second-guess or stop them from moving. If you are positive about the move, your children will be too.
INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN
Unless you have infant children, it is important to involve your children in the moving process. Not only does it lighten the burden for you, but if done in a positive way, the process can be good for the kids as well. You can have them help with cleaning, sorting through and separating old items, and teaching them the importance of donating. Don’t forget to give them a chance to have fun with the moving process. You can encourage them to be creative during the process, such as decorating moving boxes or planning what their new rooms will look like.
PREPARE THE CHILDREN
Communication is essential. If you are moving because of a divorce, sit down together and talk it out. Ask your children how they feel, let them know how you feel. Good communication and an open dialogue for both parties can help. Older children may find it a bit more difficult to move, especially if they will be moving to a new school. Younger children are likely to be more resilient than older children who have already built deep friendships. Again, the more positive communication the better. Understand that you will likely encounter resistance, so stay positive. As mentioned above, if there’s a chance to have a little fun, let them express themselves, make little forts with moving boxes, or even organize a coloring contest for the most beautifully designed box. These simple little activities can make moving more fun for your kids, which can make it a little easier for you.
ASK FRIENDS FOR HELP
Moving is not an easy task. When you move, there is always more to it than you think. You cannot just hire a moving company and have them arrange everything, such as installing a moving lift. There are many advance preparations you need to do to prepare for the movers. Get help from your friends to help you vacate, set up a garage sale, clean your house, etc. Consider throwing some “help” parties with your friends and have a good time. Honestly, no one likes helping their friends move, but if you turn it into some sort of party or get-together, it becomes fun for everyone.
DONATE UNWANTED STUFF
Decluttering your house is a perfect opportunity to teach your kids the importance of donating items. Let your kids take anything they don’t want anymore to the garage or to the place where you put your stuff away to donate. Let your children understand that when they donate their toys, they help other less fortunate children. Research schools, neighborhoods, parks, hospitals. If you haven’t decided where to move yet, do some research on these places before deciding where to move. If you already have a location, knowing where these places are will help you when you’ve already moved.
