5 Tips for Moving Out with Toddlers
Moving out of your old home and moving into a new one can cause a lot of frustration, especially if you have young children. You’d be amazed how many baby items you have bought over the years, but there are a lot of things you can do to make the big move go smoothly.
If your child is reluctant to say farewell to their old home, then things might prove even more difficult. Getting them on board won’t be easy, but they will have to get used to the fact that it's time to move on.
It is important that your child knows that they are not the only ones that are moving to a new home and that everyone is coming with them. Sit down with your child and explain to them that they are going on an exciting journey. If you are downgrading to a smaller home, getting your toddlers excited is not going to be easy, but do whatever it takes to get them in a good mood before you start moving all of their items into boxes.
1. Hire a nanny
Cleaning up after a toddler is difficult, so you can only imagine what it's like to move all of your belongings out of your house and move them into a new one. If you can afford to employ a nanny for the day, you should consider doing so.
When moving out, you will need to stay focused and energised, which might seem impossible with your toddler craving attention. Hiring a nanny to help out will not only help you keep your head clear but he or she will also help keep your child safe. Keeping an eye on your child while you are cleaning your old home won’t be easy. A nanny will be able to keep their eyes on your child and keep them entertained while you get to work on the house.
2. Protect all of the electrical outlets
For some reason, toddlers love playing with electrical outlets, so it's not surprising so many parents invest in covers that are designed to keep their children safe, even if they do try sticking their fingers inside one of the outlets.
However, when you are moving out, the chances are you don’t have enough covers to cover all of the outlets in your home. Because you will be moving almost all of the electrical equipment, such as your television set and home computer.
Before you begin moving out, consider investing in new outlet covers. If you don’t have time to buy the covers, you will have to keep a very close eye on your child.
3. Try to stay relaxed
Okay, this one is easier said than done, but if you get stressed while moving out, your child is bound to pick up on it. Stress is contagious, and small children will easily pick up on it. If they notice that their parents' emotions are high, it is almost inevitable that your child will start to feel anxious. All of a sudden, your toddler starts to throw a tantrum, and they might refuse to eat or sleep.
If you feel yourself getting stressed, take a short break, drink a glass of water, take a few deep breaths, and try to clear your mind. By maintaining a positive attitude throughout the moving process, both you and your toddler will find it easier.
4. Get Someone to Help You Clean
If you are moving out of a rented property, or you are planning on selling your old home, you will need to clean it from top to bottom first. If you don’t leave your rented property in clean condition, your old landlord might hold onto your security deposit, money that you might need to move out.
Moving out is difficult, but cleaning the entire house with a toddler by your side is another challenging task that can cause stress.
If you know someone who has a lot of time on their hands, why not ask them to help you out? However, if you want to leave your old home looking great, you might want to hire a professional cleaning service. You can find a long list of reputable cleaners by searching for them on major search engines. Just type ‘move out cleaning London’ into Google the next time you're online.
While the pros are cleaning your home, you can focus on your child.
5. Prepare a moving day bag for your toddler
Before you start packing all of your toddlers belongings, make a list of the essential items that they will need on the day you decide to move, such as:
- Milk bottle
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Bottle sanitizer
- Shampoos and soaps
If you have already put these items into storage, it might take you a while to find them.