We moved three times in three years with kids

Here are my tips for keeping sane, especially if it's during the hols.

My body hurts everywhere.

In the past few days, I’ve used muscles I never knew existed, heaving boxes of all shapes and sizes in and out of vehicles. 

My husband and I have just completed our third move in three years, you'd think we'd learned some lessons, but this time sucked just as much as the first.

This time, we have three kids.

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They say moving is one of the most stressful life events you can go through – even more so than divorce and becoming a parent.

I wouldn’t disagree. After each move, our bodies have felt physically shattered. After the packing, we always do the vacate clean ourselves, and that really takes it out of you.

Throw in three bored kids to contend with, and moving can definitely heighten the stress levels.

If you’re planning a move this summer, here are some tips for keeping sane:

1) Declutter while the kids are out

The less stuff you have to pack, the better. 

Do yourself a favour and declutter ruthlessly while the kids are at school or in daycare.

I gave the op shop about 10 boxes of unwanted toys, clothes, books, bedding, baby equipment and things we no longer needed. It definitely made packing easier.

2) Start packing early

Don’t underestimate how long it will take you to box up all of your life’s possessions.

Start packing as early as possible, even if it means doing a couple of boxes a day once the kids are in bed. You’ll want to have everything boxed before moving day.

Our last home was a very modest three-bedroom house with a tiny front garden. I started packing about three weeks before the move, but it still didn’t feel like enough time. 

Image: Supplied

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3) Clearly mark the Christmas presents box

Make sure you mark all boxes clearly, so that you know where to dump them at your new home.

If you're moving a stash of Christmas presents, I’d recommend wrapping the gifts beforehand (less work at the other end) and marking the box they're in with a code word that only you’ll recognise when unpacking.

I wrote on my Christmas present box, “Mummy’s tax affairs". Needless to say, nobody was tempted to open it.

4) Take offers of help

I hate asking for favours and putting people out. But moving is one of those times you need to put your pride aside and reach out to friends.

When my girlfriends offered to help us, I actually asked if they could have our kids while we got busy with the heavy duty stuff. 

I lined up back-to-back playdates on the weekends before the move, and people were more than happy to help in that capacity, rather than slipping a disc heaving my husband’s simulator up our new staircase.

Take whatever help is offered.

5) Overlap the properties

Initially, we thought it was a bummer that we had to pay double rent when our move-out and move-in dates overlapped by a week, but it turned out to be a blessing. 

It meant we had more time to drive things over to our new pad, then clean the last property.

If it’s financially feasible, I’d recommend overlapping your old and new places by at least a week, so you can move at a more manageable pace.

6) Pay for a vacate clean

If you can afford to pay a professional cleaner to do the vacate clean, I’d recommend it.

My husband and I have always done the vacate clean ourselves to save on moving expenses. This time was no different, but we ended up regretting not paying a professional.

Having to go back and scrub toilets and Sugar Soap walls after you’ve heaved all your belongings to a new home is near torture and often feels never ending. 

We also had to take time off work to clean, and it probably would have been most cost-efficient to pay a professional (who has the right products and knowledge) to do it.

7) Remember the silver lining

Moving is not much fun, but remember there’s something good at the other end.

For us, our new home suits our family of five much better. It has more space and a fenced garden for our children to play in.

When it all feels overwhelming, keep calm and box on.

Originally published as We moved three times in three years with kids