While the moving process itself is pretty stressful, what's there to say about the process of relocating with kids? Well, only a little, except it's quite a challenging ordeal (it's not as tough as moving abroad, though). Also, the "not much" part isn't exactly true. That's what we're about to show you. In the article below, we'll introduce you to some tips on keeping your sanity when moving with kids. Trust us; you want to save your time and nerves on something that could've been done without much hassle. Therefore, don't hesitate to read this one!

We've broken this into three chapters: before, on moving day (during the move), and after you move. So, shall we begin?

#1 Before you move

There are a lot of things to do before you move to help your kids cope with the fact you're relocating.

Talk to them like equals

There's no reason to keep anything away from your children (concerning your upcoming relocation). Talk to them like equals about all the reasons that inspired you to make a decision to change your surroundings. If you really put your effort into treating them as equals, it will greatly pay off. Also, ask for their opinion about the move. See if you can recognize some pain points and work on them in the future.

Involve them in the process (1)

See if you can include them in the process. Trust us; they don't want to feel left out. Also, by having your children help in specific preparatory tasks such as packing or obtaining cardboard boxes at the local grocery store, you'll do yourself a favor, too.

Introduce games

There's no disputing the fact kids love games as much as they love DIY Halloween decorations. Basically, you can make anything into a game. For instance, you can introduce the famous who-can-pack-the-fastest championship to the packing part of your relocation preparation.

Pack the kids' stuff last

Pack the kids' stuff last, and make sure these boxes are among the last ones you'll put in the truck. That way, you'll easily survive the after-the-moving portion, as you'll get to unpack the kids' stuff first. Also, you will only take away your children's favorite items at the last moment. We all know how our young ones become cranky once they're away from their favorite toys.

Okay, so that's about it for the before-you-move part. Let's consider what you can do once moving day arrives at your doorstep!

#2 On moving day (or simply: during the move)

Here are some things you can do to help your children cope with moving day. Also, this is, among other things, how you keep your sanity when moving with kids.

Moving day kit, anyone?

You should assemble a so-called moving day kit filled with everything that can occupy your kids' attention. We're talking coloring books, stickers, construction paper, etc. That way, you'll keep them entertained with something else while you go through some of the most excruciating portions of your moving day.

PS. If you're out of materials for your children to draw on, cut out the sides of leftover empty cardboard boxes.

Pack an essentials bag

Besides the moving kit, you'll want to pack a special kids' essentials bag and keep it close at hand at all times. We're talking about packing water, food (snacks), some extra clothing, etc. Basically, everything your child can need at some point during the moving day.

Involve them in the process (2)

Once again, if your kids are old enough, you'll want to involve them in the process of handling moving day. They can greet the moving crew, see if their needs are met, offer them water, and so on. If they have specific tasks, they'll avoid bothering you with this or that.

Let your kids DJ

On moving day, give your child (or children) the opportunity to become DJ(s). While you're on the road, letting your kids play DJ might sound like torture, but it's actually a "softer" ordeal than having anxious and aggravated kiddos in the back seat. Also, if you can encourage the whole family to sing along, that would be quite nice. A good old-fashioned family singalong never agitated anyone (except for all the cynics out there).

Give your older kids some freedom

Maybe your older kids don't want to be involved on moving day. In that case, you won't have much trouble figuring out how to keep your sanity when moving with kids. Therefore, see if you can give them the freedom to do something else during the whole hustle & bustle at your ex-home. They might want to visit their friends, watch a show on their laptops, or do something else. Whatever it is, consider their suggestion, and see if you can give them some freedom.

Ask your friends to watch your kids

It's always good to ask for some assistance from your trusty buddies; tell us the folks at zippyshellcolumbus.com. See if your best friends are able to watch your kids on moving day. It's as if you've had a clone to take care of your children while you handle the movers. 

Okay, now that we've covered this, let's see what you can do after the moving day's over.

#3 After the move

So here's the last part: what can you do right after the move and before you start thinking about various home improvements? 

Unpack the kids' stuff first

As we've mentioned earlier, unpack the kids' stuff first. Hopefully, you've put it among the last boxes into the truck, so your kids won't wait too long for their favorite items. 

Settle with ease

Once you've taken care of the kids' box, take some time to unpack it easily. There's no reason to rush things, and a stressy environment isn't one your child feels good in. So, yeah, instead of unpacking, take your family to dinner. 

Final words on the subject

Okay, folks, so this was the guide on how to keep your sanity when moving with kids. Now you're well aware that there are certain things you can do to make your children handle the ordeal with ease. All in all, we're pretty sure that both you and your kids won't have to deal with the consequences of stressful moving! 

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry