Do you have Smooth Moves?

Do You Have Smooth Moves?

Your Moving Day - Part 1: Planning

It's the end of moving day, and you're in your new place with your family and pets around you - and the boxes around everyone. You're pretty tired from all the work you've done already, but you have to get the beds ready for sleep, and now you just have to locate the right boxes...

OK, let's rewind to your packing process. Organizing your packing means you'll be able to get your home ready for living with all the basics from the very first night.

Tools You'll Need
 - Either a computer & printer or Black marking pens
 - Colored labels (large dots or squares in multiple colors)
   Buy at least two sets so you have plenty
 - Several sheets of paper


Step 1 - Planning

a) Labels

At your computer, create a page like that shown below, indenting the names of the rooms enough so that you'll be able to place a colored sticker to the left of each name. Designate only one color for each type of room, no matter how many of that type there are in the new home. Note that you can also do this by hand if you don't have a printer handy.

 

Once you have 3 of these sheets prepared, open the packet of multi-colored labels, and determine how you will color-code the boxes for each room in your new home. For example, you might designate red for Kitchen, Blue for Bathrooms, and so on. Again, designate only one color for each type of room. Set up all three sheets the same way.

b) Suitcases

These will go in the trunk of your car so you have what you need with you on move day. For each family member, make a list of essentials you'll want close to hand immediately on arrival in your new home. You can do this on the computer or by hand. Just be sure to create a separate list for each household member, with their name at the top of the list.

This applies for moves you can drive to, as well as those requiring a plane trip. For long distance moves, you'll need to adjust quantities based on estimated time of arrival for the truck to your new home. Some suggestions for children:

 - Two changes of clothing appropriate for the weather in the area of the new home
 - Two full sets of underwear, or diapers, or pull ups
 - Pajamas and robe
 - Slippers
 - Socks and shoes
 - A bathing suit if there's a pool or other swimming place, sandals, towel
 - A couple of favorite books and stuffed animals
 - Anything else essential for your child's peace of mind

You can plan on packing a small suitcase for each child if you have these, or plan on packing all children's items in one suitcase, and all adults in another. Use what you have.

c) Backpacks or Small Travel Bags

These should be small enough to take inside the car with you. Plan on a small backpack or travel bag for each person. Make lists of essentials. Some suggestions for children's bags:

 - Trip amusement items: books, games, music, journal, etc.
 - Child "security blanket" items: stuffed animal, blanket, pacifiers, small toys, etc.
 - Snack food - items you're ok with the child opening and eating on their own

In adult bag - have just one for two adults, since one will be driving:

 - Snacks and drinks
 - Small "surprise" items for children if it will be a fairly long drive
 - Diapering essentials
 - Books or personal music and player for the non-driver adult
 - CDs and/or DVDs for playing in car
 - Cell phone chargers for the car and for the new home
 - Digital camera for "travel" photos on the way to the new home
 - Batteries for any electronics taken in the car
 - Two sets of keys to the new home - each adult should have these separately
 - Two sets of keys to the car(s) - each adult should have these separately

Of course, these suggestions will most likely remind you of other items to add or to replace on the list. If the drive is very short, you can keep these to just the essentials you'll want on hand during the drive and immediately upon arrival at your new home.

d) Boxed Essentials - "Open Me First" Boxes

As you plan for packing and moving, note the things that are absolutely essential to your day. Break it down by room. In general, 3 types of rooms will be most important right away: bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. Make lists for each room's essentials so you have everything you need for the first night in your new home as well as the next morning. Here are some suggestions:

 

 

Now that you have your planning done, the next post will be about packing and labeling for maximum ease in moving.


Do You Have Smooth Moves?

 

Thanks so much for visiting!
Judy Klem

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