Packing up your whole family and moving to a new house can be an exciting time for everyone. But it can also be very stressful, even if the move is a welcome one. Vancouver movers agree the moving process is an opportunity to start fresh. But deciding what to take with you and what to leave behind, especially for children, can be nerve-wracking. Getting organized and preparing family members for what’s ahead will help you have a smooth moving day.Packing up your whole family and moving to a new house can be an exciting time for everyone. But it can also be very stressful, even if the move is a welcome one. Vancouver movers agree the moving process is an opportunity to start fresh. But deciding what to take with you and what to leave behind, especially for children, can be nerve-wracking. Getting organized and preparing family members for what’s ahead will help you have a smooth moving day.
Everyone on Board
Discuss the move with young children, teens, and adults. The main stages of moving house,
according to many Vancouver movers, are:
• Picking a moving day date and selecting a moving company
• Sorting and purging – deciding what’s being donated, thrown out, and kept
• Buying packing supplies and packing moving boxes
• Looking after the paperwork and legal matters pertaining to moving
• Moving day
• Moving in day
Keep family members in the loop about dates, times, and other things they need to know. Give advance warning, wherever possible as to how it will affect their schedules. For younger children, plan a trip to the library to look up books on moving and getting ready for moving day. Get everyone on board and involved in the process by assigning specific tasks and responsibilities.
Identifying and Handling Stress
Vancouver movers point out that the two main types of stress people experience when moving are physical and psychological. To handle physical stress, assign time limits when dealing with moving boxes and packing supplies – repetitive motion can strain muscles; lift boxes and move furniture safely (no overstraining); and when running moving-related errands, group them by area or zone so you are not making unnecessary trips. When planning a move, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and feel like you have to play catch-up. To manage psychological stress, keep lines of communication open; don’t be afraid to ask for help; and schedule downtime to allow you to relax and take a break.
Family Outings
A great way to handle the psychological stress of moving is to plan activities and outings everyone enjoys. Arrange some outings to include your children’s friends; this will help make the transition easier until they settle into their new home.
Storage Options
If you are moving out of the old house and into your new home on the same day, you most likely won’t require moving and storage options. But if you are moving before the possession date, or the new house needs renovations, or you’re still not sure what to do with the piano the family inherited but no one plays, you will need storage for your household belongings.
Type of Storage Unit
Consider what type of storage unit you require. Are there items that need to be stored in a controlled environment such as valuable paintings, musical instruments, or special collections (graphic novels, stamps, etc.)? Self-storage companies offer a variety of options. Ask the moving company you hired what moving and storage options they offer; they might have their own warehouse or storage facility. Many Vancouver movers offer portable storage units; these are storage containers that are packed with your belongings then stored off-site until moving in day.
Right Size of Storage Unit
Whatever the reason, if you need somewhere to store your household belongings once they are packed, you will need a moving and storage solution that holds everything. Selecting the right size storage unit is important – too small and you’ll have to deal with finding a temporary home for the leftovers; too large and you’re paying for space not being used. Find a moving company website with online storage guides that outline storage unit sizes with corresponding room volume/furniture weight to help you visualize the size of the storage unit or container you need.
Storage Unit Rules and Access
Moving and storage sites are typically governed by rules prohibiting certain types of items and materials that could become dangerous when confined for a period of time in non-controlled environments. They also might restrict access to your storage unit.