Moving house - how I can I make it less stressfull?
Question:I am 5 months pregnant and moving house in a week or so. My husband works 12 hour days seven days a week so the packing is really down to me (he will do all the heavy work of course). The thing is, I just don;t know where to start, I have moved many times before but always end up getting in a right mess, being 5 months pregnant and living in a very hot climate do not help!! can anyone give me some helpful advice on how to make this move as easy as possible (we have a few days to do it in, up to a week so time is not an issue)
Answers:
To help make it less stressful - if you have baby items that are new - those can be the first things to be packed and ready to go - next start with seasonal clothing and things - pack all the winter things up (as its summer now) -
Or go room by room packing the things that are not being used and probably wont be used in the time before the move.
Then you can do the storage closets (things that are just in storeage)
Pack any kitchen things that are not being used - leave out enough plates bowls and other stuff to be used.
Pack up any books and other reading materials
the last thing to pack would be electrical things like TV and that sort of stuff the things you will use up until the day of the move
When I moved (while pregnant) I had family come in and help me - I had made a list of each room what could be packed up and what had to be moved at the last minute - that really helped
but if you dont have friends or family that can help walk around your house and make a list of things that can be packed up right away ( a list for each room)
I started with the new baby things (and toys from older children that were not going to be missed for a few days ;-) ) then I moved to the bedrooms and all things that were out of season - then the living areas books dvds videos etc and knick knacks - then on to the kitchen - I left out enough pots and pans to cook with - and dishes to eat off of and eat with or opt for paper or plastic eating supplies and I went on like that until the last day -
Some foods that will not be used can be packed as well .
I had 3 days in which to move (as I went into early labour) so I had friends and family that helped out . but a friend of mine she moved in less than a week being 7 months along and she did most of the packing on her own and everything was ready to go a day before.
Like me she made a list - make sure to rest and drink plenty of fluides and do most of the packing when it is coolest usually in the evenings :) and you will do alright
Good luck with your move
start with the small spaces first those seem to be the most junkiest take it one day at a time finish a half of room by the in of the day every day until the day you move you will be surprised at how much you packed. good luck
Keep a list of what you have packed in each box attached to the box.
Use a color code like:red for the kitchen, blue for the bathroom, etc, on each box to show where the box should end up in your new home.
This should help cut down on confusion, worked for me!
Start packing now! You definitely don't want to wait til the day of the move if you don't want to be stressed.
And pack by room. That is, don't mix kitchen items with bathroom items, and so forth. Then label the boxes for the appropriate room. This will make things much easier when you have to unpack in your new home.
Wow, I just moved too, so I don't envy you at all. First of all, be careful so you don't stress yourself out in your current state. I would start with your closets and storage places. Get rid of as much stuff as you can. Donate things you don't need anymore to charities. Hopefully this will give you fewer things to actually pack. Then I would start on things you don't use much and start boxing them up. Maybe bookshelves, extra dishes, and the artwork around your house. Then, closer to the move, pack things you use regularly. Make sure to label all boxes so you can find things easily in the next house. Save a few boxes or suitcases for absolute necessities--the things you have to pack last and unpack first. Good luck, and don't overdo it!
One room at a time! don't overwhelm yourself by looking at the whole project. Take your time. Choose the most important room.. one that you will be unpacking frist. Start packing all the small stuff first; stuff you know won't be using until you unpack at the new place. When loading the truck, put all the "later" or unnecessary stuff all the way to the cab of the truck (front). then put the important stuff closer to the back door. that way you will get the important stuff out first. i.e bedroom; and bathroom, and kitchen necessaries go toward the back door of the truck. got that?
Being that you are pregnant, be sure to take lots of sit down breaks. and DON'T lift anything heavy!
Good luck!
Buy good boxes and a tape gun. Only get 3-4 sizes to keep them easy to stack and load/unload. Buy too many from a place you can return boxes you don't use (that you havent unfolded and taped). This also controls the weight. Pack small boxes with heavy items, large boxes with lighter items. Use lots of newspaper for padding dishes, breakables. Don't get an odd assortment of beer boxes, etc.
Then label, label, label...all sides of the boxes.
Pack everything you don't need to survive. Act like your camping out or living in a hotel for a few days. Eat out or have food delivery. Live out of a suitcase and a toiletry kit.
Organisation. Do you have friends or family that could help you pack? Make sure you mark on each box which room it's contents are for. You could even have a list on the box stating what is packed inside. Pack a room at a time and make sure you have plenty boxes and bubble packing or newspaper to wrap delicate items in.
Hi, we moved when i was pregnant and in a similar situation. We got the removal company to do the packing as well. The cost wasn't that much more and they did EVERYTHING. Didn't have to worry about a thing. They started the packing the day before moving day.
In my experience you can't make it less stressful, it is always ghastley.
Do most or all of the above but also add to it, plan out in your new house where everything is suppose to go before hand and write it down. Then have the boxes packed in the truck first and the furniture second so that the furniture is installed first in your new house. I've always found that to be the easiest part.
write a list of everything you need to keep and start boxing and bagging and pace yourself instead of going mad, you have a baby to think of and your energy levels too. Get rid of anything you don't want or need and maybe if you have furniture you no longer want, there are quite a lot of second hand furniture shops that will take things away for you and refurbish them. Also clothes, nick nacks and stuff can be donated to various companies who collect, i get donation bags through my door regularly.
Good luck with your move and remember to take care of yourself and pace yourself !
ps stick some soothing music on while you are packing, it helps sometimes.
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