Moving home with children
You finally have a date for your move, but you’ve still got to live your life outside of the move. With moving day looming large on the horizon, there's so much to do and each day ticks by and brings it closer.
Yet, a question keeps popping up as you try and go about life and preparations: "I’ve young children, what should I do?"
Simple, but effective
One dead simple thing you can do is let them feel a part of the decision process. Let them pick their new bedroom - and have some say in how it gets redecorated. For the truly fearless, give them free reign to express themselves.
Beware, though, if you have teenagers, the full black room is not always easy on the eye or nerves (or repainting when they've changed their mind). But it can help them feel better about the move.
For the younger children, simply choosing a new exciting mural for the wall or a new duvet cover can make something daunting and scary suddenly feel like a terrific adventure.
Likewise with very young children, get them involved by packing their favourite toys into a box and decorating it with coloured pens. The guys on move day can make sure it takes pride of place in their new bedroom, again, all part of the big adventure.
Preparation
Preparation, as in all things, is key. There are some simple, practical things that you can do in the run up to the move to ease your children’s - and your - anxieties and make things that little bit easier and less stressful.
Involve the children
It can be scary for children leaving their comfortable surroundings that they have lived happily in for years. It may be the only home they've known, and leaving that can be scary for them. But by letting them be involved in many aspects of the move, you can ease some of their fears and anxieties about moving - and maybe even make it an exciting adventure for them - helping the whole family have a better move.
What about moving day?
Whilst not always practical, if you can, it’s best to have the children stay with friends or relatives on moving day - or if it is term time, move while they're at school for the day. Although it’s still a home, once the movers are on site, your home becomes a workplace. And, of course, with that does come some additional dangers for young ones. Whatever the weather and regardless of how busy the road is, doors will need to be wedged open and doors within the house will constantly be opening and closing, little fingers can get trapped and the inquisitive can make for the open door out into the road.
The removal men will be busy pretty much from the moment they arrive until the moment they leave you in your new home; the last thing anybody wants is for anybody to get hurt whilst your move takes place.
If you don't have somewhere for the children to stay on moving day, the next best option would be to have a person whose only job on moving day is to watch and entertain them at your home. It’s important they remain in one room and the removal men are able to get on with their work free from additional worries of little folk running around in front of them.
No matter how well prepared you are there, will be lots of questions from the men about where items are going in the new place, and other things along the way. Once you arrive at the new place, you’ll need to be on hand to help guide where you want furniture positioned in your new rooms. It’s rare that every piece goes in exactly the place you visualised; last minute tweaking tends to be the norm.
Once the removal men have left
If your children have been away while the move was being performed, before you introduce them to their new home make sure any hazards are minimised - especially if you have toddlers. If you use gates, make sure they're installed before the children arrive, if possible.
If you can, have the children come back right towards the end of your belongings being moved into your new home. You can bet that you’ll be tired, but the lion’s share of the physical work should then have been done and the children can come along and join in the excitement and unpacking.
Getting settled on moving night
A takeaway pizza and perhaps a glass of wine (for the adults, of course) is often the best end to the moving day, leaving you - and the kids - raring to get on with the unpacking the following morning.
Removal quote appointment booking service
Bradshaw Moving Services can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0116 289 9011 (Leicester), 0115 965 6555 (Nottingham), or 01283 243001 (Derby & Burton) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Excellent service from the crew
Do you have any comments about our removals crew?
We had 5 people in total and all were friendly, polite and efficient.
Where can we improve our removals day experience?
My only tiny critique is that it would be good to label.boxes better, although I know there is always a time pressure, so this can't always be done.
Why did you use us?
Of the three quotation visits we had, we felt that Bradshaws were the most organised, and understood our requirements best.
Do you have any additional comments or concerns regarding any portion of the service you received?
Excellent service from the crew - Luke Mason, Jamie Baker, Cameron Smith, Macauley Cooke and Marcus Jackson. All of them were stellar! I had a bit of a meltdown on day 1 of our move, and the crew asked if there was anything they could do to help me be less stressed. Definitely service over and above. On day 2 after moving, I contacted the office to arrange collection of empty boxes, and a crew turned up within hours. The whole system works flawlessly!
Comments regarding your initial enquiry
Someone came quickly out to assess the move requirements, and was friendly and really knowledgeable.
No breakages or issues - perfect.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Previous experience with another Britannia mover. Found details on Britannia website.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Previous experience, quote process (Trevor was thorough and friendly, his knowledge provided a high level of trust) and overall price and value for money, flexibility to accommodate a move to new build and timings.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The move team were GREAT. All five guys who helped pack and load over the Monday and Tuesday morning worked tirelessly AND the packing was done with care and sensitivity for the sentimental value of some items. Chris and Craig who then drove the lorry up to Northallerton were BRILLIANT, from negotiating the rougher than expected road, to the swift, careful unloading. All those special items safely and securely moved with no breakages or issues - perfect.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
No improvement needed, just keep doing what you do, treat the team well and don’t let them go as they are fantastic.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Just a huge thank you for making it so smooth, simple and easy.
They were very helpful.
Do you have any comments about our removals crew?
Craig, Brandon & Chris introduced themselves immediately upon arrival and were very friendly throughout the whole day. They were very helpful.
Why did you use us?
Recommendation
Comments regarding your initial enquiry
Even though we were quite late enquiring the staff were all very helpful
It was excellent, not sure how it could be improved
Do you have any comments about our removals crew?
First rate. En route to our new home they made contact with additional crews to meet them and help out.
How can we improve our service?
It was excellent, not sure how it could be improved
Why did you use us?
We used Britannia previously in 2015
Comments regarding your initial enquiry
Initial appointment arranged promptly & subsequent house review followed quickly after
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