As the adults of the household, you don’t have to manage a move all by yourself. In fact, you can make moving easier if you get everyone in the family to help with moving house, including toddlers right through to teenagers. Here are some ideas about how you can get everyone engaged and involved.

1. Toddlers

While you might not think your toddler could be of any help at all, there are actually several ways you can involve your toddler with moving in ways that are both entertaining and educational. Consider three of the popular types of toys for toddlers, apply them to moving and you’re in business.

Sorters: Ask your toddler to sort through their toys for which ones they want to keep and which ones they can give away. 

Stackers: Ask your toddler to collect and stack items such as their books and toys beside boxes. Obviously, make sure they’re not breakable or heavy.

Posting: Your toddler can pack a box too. Let them fill a box with their soft toys, as there’s no risk of damage.

2. Young children

Young children can be a great help when moving, saving you time and effort with simpler tasks. Here are some ideas for how they can help.

• Sorting through their room to decide what they want to keep and give away.
• Assembling and putting labels on boxes.
• Packing charity items into boxes.
• Emptying drawers and wardrobes.

3. Preteens

Preteens are where you’ll start to encounter resistance with helping to move. They’re at the age where they’ll feel the separation from school and friends if you’re moving to a different suburb or city. Save everyone some stress and offer bribes to get them involved.

Preeteen bribe list ideas:

• Choose the colour of their new room.
• Within reason, let them choose one item for the new home.
• Get them to sort through their old stuff, sell it and split the proceeds.
• Within reason, chocolate. It works on adults too.

4. Teenagers

Teenagers are the most challenging to get motivated and involved, but the most capable. They can help you with tasks like disassembling furniture, collecting items from the basement or attic, and if they have the driver’s licence, they can run errands like taking items to charity shops. 

The trick with teenagers is to give them incentives to help and reasons to look forward to moving. Here are some ideas:

• Let them have a going away party.
• Let them decorate their new room. In a few years, you can repaint it.
• Plan trips to see friends or have them come to stay.
• Let them keep the proceeds of selling their old stuff.

If you need more information or our help managing your move, please give us a call.