Moving with a Toddler
We are moving, and I am super exited. The new place will have a big yard for Landon and much more living space. The kitchen is a lot bigger, so my goal is to spend more time in there. Maybe I’ll actually cook once in a while?
As luck will have it, our new neighbor is a little old Italian lady who offered to teach me how to cook everything Italian — pasta and gnocchi and pizza… She already had us over for apple cake, isn’t that sweet? She fell in love with Landon. Within minutes of being in her house, he found her vacuum and she couldn’t stop laughing as he vacuumed for her! That son of mine and his love for vacuums… Don and Landon sure would appreciate it if I learned to cook them a few good dishes.
I started packing before the ink was dry on the contract — I am just too energized to wait. I love moving, I don’t even mind packing everything. Okay, I do a little bit, but I enjoy all the new possibilities that come with moving into a new home. I LOVE to decorate and already fall asleep imagining where everything will go. I can’t wait to open the boxes that are still in Grandma’s attic we haven’t unpacked since we moved from Los Angeles to New York two years ago. It’s going to be like Christmas, without the expense.
Three tips that come to mind:
1. Pack when your toddler is not around!
So I started packing, and then I realized — uh-oh, I am moving with a toddler this time. When we moved from California, Landon was only six month old. He couldn’t get into unpacking boxes yet and was sleeping a lot more. We have less to do in terms of packing all our stuff into containers and moving cars across the country, but this will still be a lot of work. We already had one Landon meltdown — he saw a few toys he doesn’t play with very often that I had thrown into a big box — so now I pack when he is not around or after he goes to bed.
2. Don’t pay money for moving boxes — get them for free!
One tip for all my frugal and green readers: don’t pay for moving boxes, recycle boxes others don’t want! In California, the Starbucks I went to every day to read or do my editing work (hi, Toluca Lake Starbucks regulars, I miss you all!) was more than happy to collect boxes for me. They wanted to get rid of them — I needed them. In the end I packed over 200 boxes! Here in New York I asked at the Panera Bread store we go to every weekend for breakfast, and they are now holding boxes for me. You’d be a fool to pay for boxes; moving is costly enough, save your money and ask around. There is always someone who wants to get rid of boxes. You can also look for them on in the “free” section of your local Craigslist. Another advantage? I like the fact that Landon sees me being green and frugal by using recycled boxes.
3. Organize your things first — then pack them!
Moving is a great time to get rid of some stuff and organize everything! My motto: organize first — then pack it up. It wouldn’t occur to me to just throw everything into boxes in hopes of organizing the mess at the new place. There is too much to do when you’re unpacking — and too many curious little fingers to get into things — I would worry I’d never get around to even look at those disorganized boxes. But to be honest with you, I am one of those super organized people — I love organizing, so this is fun for me. While going through everything, I came across a photo I haven’t seen in a while, I finally grouped together articles I have been saving, and I threw out a lot of old coupons, magazines, and irrelevant paperwork. Overall, I got a better handle on where all my important stuff is. It’s going to be a breeze to set up my new office space with everything in its place. Can’t wait!
Do you have a green or frugal moving tip? Leave a comment and let me know :)
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jenn says
My daughter was four when we moved. I was lucky enough to have a lot of family around to help on moving day but those couple of weeks before of prep were an adventure to say the least.
ANTOINETTE says
Hello there:) As you know, I just moved with 3 children and I had the help of my WONDERFUL mother! I have to admit I love new places. It can be exciting. Although my old place was bigger, I had become really unorganized:-/ but moving into a smaller place has caused me to become the organizing Queen Bee!!!! I love it! I definitely needed it! I actually was able to use the help of my little ones who were so eager to help and make games out of putting stuff away! Just use your imagination!! One frugal tip is besides looking for boxes don’t forget that your luggage can also come in handy with transferring clothes and blankets to the new place:) I’m excited for you too!!
Firefly says
Oh I love moving as well, I love to change things around so when we moved in this house 2 years ago I was so excited to have new space to work with.
Good Luck hope everything goes smoothly :)
Kelsi says
Freecycle is a great way to pick up boxes and packing material. My local freecycle has moving boxes listed at least weekly, and after I moved that is how I got rid of mine. Also, I see Landon had his own box! When we moved last, I gave each of my kids their own boxes to “pack” while I packed. They loved to put stuff in and take it out. Pack liquids in a plastic box, even if you have to buy one. If something leaks, it can destroy not only the contents of the box it was in but also the boxes around it. Ditto with candles (learned that one the hard way). Best of luck with your move! Your neighbor sounds like a gem.
Melissa says
We will be moving soon and we have a 2 year old. Thanks for the tips. Love Stefanie’s color code idea, we usually have just written the room name on the box, that might be easier.
~Melissa
Kristy says
I will be moving as well, I have a 2 year old. Luckily for me, my MIL is watching her for a couple of days.
Stefanie’s tip about color coding is great!
The only tip that I can think of is:
Have a yard sale with the stuff you plan to get rid of. I have over 5 boxes of stuff to sell at a yard sale. I can’t wait.
Stefanie says
Assign each non-obvious room (bedrooms, office, spare room, etc) a color. Tag each box for that room with said color (I used 2inch x 2inch squares of construction or craft paper) and on moving day pin a larger sheet of the same color on the door.
If you are going into a smallish space without a lot of rooms, you can color code each of them, but for the most part there’s only going to be one “living room” and one “kitchen” so there tends to be less of a need.