Single parents are some of the most heroic people in the world. They have to deal with so much on their own, and they often don't have time for themselves or their kids. But it's important that you do find time for both of them—even if it's just a few minutes at night before bed. We're going to give you 15 tips on how to make it easier for yourself, your kids and even your pets when moving from one place to another.
Don't try to do everything yourself
There's a lot of work to be done when it comes to moving. When you're the primary caretaker of your children, and they are still young or too young to help out in any significant way, you'll want to delegate as much of the moving process as possible. Don't try to do everything yourself—ask your friends and family if they're available on moving day! Remember: You're not alone! There's a support system around you that can help make this transition easier for everyone involved.
Your co-parent should also be willing to lend a hand during the move. It might seem like an awkward time for some couples who have divorced or separated recently, but even if things aren't great between you right now (or ever), this is one instance where it would benefit both parties involved if both parents were present when moving into their new home together with their children (if possible). If there are arrangements that need to be made at school or with childcare providers, having two adults around will make things run more smoothly than having just one parent there alone trying desperately not only keep track of all those details but also pack up their own belongings while simultaneously supervising their kids' behavior at home during an otherwise chaotic time period!
It’s okay if asking someone else for help makes you feel bad about yourself; everyone needs support sometimes – especially single parents who often have little control over their schedules due outbursts from upset children due ultimately because they miss mommy/daddy being gone all day long while working in order so provide income needed pay bills such as mortgage payments along with other household expenses including food shopping weekly cost etc…
Get organized and make a plan before you start packing
Take the time to get organized and make a plan before you start packing. You’ll need to know what needs to be packed, how many boxes you need, and when you can move into your new home.
- Make a list of what needs to be packed up and make sure that everything on the list is accounted for. If there are things that didn't make it onto your list (like keepsakes), add them now!
- Plan out your packing schedule so that everything gets done in time for your move-in date(s). There's nothing worse than having all of your belongings ready for pickup but being unable to move because of poor planning or procrastination on packers' part—that's where I was at!
- Determine how much help you're going to have with this process; will family members pitch in? Will friends or co-workers lend a hand? Find out who has availability before picking up boxes so everyone doesn't show up at once expecting their services will be needed right away on moving day!
Pack only what you need – don't try to bring everything with you.
Now, it may seem counterintuitive to pack less when you have so much more space than you're used to. But you should make a point of not packing everything that's comfortable and familiar in your home—instead, focus on keeping only what is essential for your new life.
The first thing to do is sit down and make a list of everything that you're going to need over the next few weeks or months while moving into your new place (and be sure to include things like toiletries, cleaning supplies and food). Then take an honest look at this list—what can be left behind? Do you really need three different versions of the same shirt? Probably not. If there aren't any sentimental items on it, consider donating them or giving them away; even if they aren't something that would sell well at Goodwill (like a pair of old jeans), someone could easily find use for them.
If there are items on this list that don't get used often enough but still hold sentimental value—like an old teddy bear or knickknack from childhood—consider whether they would fit into another room instead of taking up space in one where they won't be seen as often. You might also want to put together a special box just for these types of special items: perhaps one containing photos from each stage of your life or ones with notes attached explaining how important each picture is; another holding small mementos like love letters passed between friends; yet another with keepsakes such as tokens earned during summer camp days long ago; etcetera. This way, when guests come over they'll know where those things are located instead having people hunt through boxes looking for them all night!
Label all of your boxes so you know what's inside
Label all of your boxes so you know what's inside. This can be done with a label maker, which is a handy tool for any single parent to own. Label the boxes that contain items you'll unpack first, like kitchen appliances and light fixtures. Label the boxes that contain items you'll unpack last, like clothing or linens. And label any box containing items in the middle—like books—so that they're not forgotten about until after everything else is unpacked.
Make sure you have all of your important documents in one place.
You may be surprised how many important documents you have scattered around your house. Your passport, birth certificate, marriage license and social security card are all things you will want to keep with you in case of emergency or if there is a need to prove your identity. Keeping them together in one place will make it easier for you to find what is needed when it's time for that last-minute trip abroad or even just a day out at the beach.
An added benefit of keeping these documents in one place is that you can use this as an opportunity to evaluate where they should go permanently. If there are any changes in your life such as moving out on your own or getting married then this becomes even more important because all of those papers will need updating too!
Arrange for childcare in advance so you can focus on packing and moving
You need to arrange childcare in advance so that you can focus on packing and moving. This will also help you avoid the stress of finding last-minute childcare if something goes wrong with your plans. If your child is not yet school-aged, ask friends or family members if they are willing to watch him/her for a few days while you move. You may also be able to find an affordable daycare this way. If there aren't any available options nearby, try calling around until one opens up—there's no harm in asking!
If none of these options pan out, consider hiring someone from Craigslist or TaskRabbit (a similar service) who lives nearby and can come over during daytime hours so that your child doesn’t have too much time alone without supervision.
Have a garage sale or donate items you don't need or want to take with you
There are many reasons to have a garage sale. You may be moving, or you could just be cleaning out your house in preparation for the new year. Have an extra garage sale if this is something you feel like doing on your own.
If you're not sure how to get started with a garage sale or don't want to do it yourself, there are local organizations that will help with the logistics of hosting one and they take care of all the advertising and marketing for you. Just ask them about their services when calling to inquire about having one in your neighborhood!
Another way is by donating items instead of selling them at a garage sale; this will help make some quick cash for moving expenses, but also allow other people who need them access too (and save space in landfills).
Hire professional movers to help with the heavy lifting.
Hiring professional movers is one of the best ways to ensure that your move goes smoothly. They can help with the heavy lifting, packing, unpacking and driving. They'll also know how to use moving equipment like dollies and furniture straps so that you don't have to worry about breaking anything during transit. This is especially important if you're moving on your own or with a partner because it will allow you – or them – to focus on other aspects of the move that are critical for success (such as cleaning out closets).
Make sure your new home is ready for you before you move in
Make sure your new home is ready for you before you move in. Change the locks on your doors, have utilities set up and mail forwarders set up before moving day. Also, make sure the place is clean and safe when you move in—you don't want to have to worry about that while settling down with a child (or children).
Finally, secure your new place as soon as possible by installing deadbolts on all exterior doors and windows, installing motion detectors outside of every entry point (including garages), adding extra locks to inside cabinets where valuables are kept, etc.
Take some time for yourself
One of the most important things you can do is take time for yourself. As a single parent, it's easy to get caught up in all of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. The last thing on your mind may be taking a few moments to relax and recharge, but it's crucial!
If you have trouble finding time for yourself, create an appointment with yourself on your calendar and make sure it gets taken off as soon as possible. You deserve this! If there are things that need done around the house or if something comes up at work, reschedule those appointments so that this one is first priority.
Make sure that during this relaxation time everything is quiet and peaceful – no phones ringing or kids running around (unless of course they are yours). Be sure to schedule an hour or two each week just for yourself!
Get to know your new neighborhood
As a single parent, you need to make sure your child is in the best possible environment. The best way to ensure that is by getting to know your new neighborhood as soon as possible.
- Explore your neighborhood – find out where the best places are for shopping, eating, and playing.
- Meet your neighbors – this will help build relationships with people who can help look after your children if needed in an emergency or just offer moral support when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Know where to find the best deals – get familiar with all of the local stores so that when it comes time for back-to-school shopping or Christmas presents, you won’t have any surprises on how much things cost. Also take some time researching which grocery store offers competitive prices on non-perishables so that money doesn’t go down the drain unnecessarily!
Be patient – it takes time to settle into a new place and routine
You may think that you’ll be able to jump right into your new life, but it takes time to settle into a place. You need to make friends with neighbors and other people in the neighborhood. You need to find out where the best places are to shop, eat, and play. You also have to get used to your new neighborhood.
Keep in touch with your support system – friends and family who are back home can be a great source of support during this transition.
If you're moving to a new city, it's important to have a support system in place. If you're leaving a job or leaving behind family members, having friends and family back home can be an excellent source of comfort during this big transition. Keeping in touch with them will help keep your mind off the challenges of being away from everyone who knows you best—and it'll also make sure no one forgets about you!
There are many ways to keep up with people back home: sending emails or text messages; making phone calls (if they let their kids have phones); sending snail mail cards; and using social media like Facebook Messenger and Skype call software. You can also use apps like Skype video chat, which lets people see each other on video even though they aren't physically together (but be careful not to spend too much time on these programs instead of actually talking face-to-face).
Finally, if there are other single parents nearby who want friends too—or if there are already some other single parents at work or school where they live—consider joining meetup groups such as Single Parents Social Club (New York City), Single Parents United Meetup Group (Boston) or Single Moms Meetup Groups (various cities).
Seek out other single parents in your area – they can be a great source of advice and support
In addition to seeking out single parents in your area, you can also find other resources in your community that can serve as support groups. Many communities have parent-teacher organizations or playgroups, local parks districts and libraries. They may also have community centers or churches where single parents can go for advice and support. Public schools are often good places to seek out other single parents as well.
Take it one day at a time – moving is a big change, but it's also an exciting adventure. Enjoy the ride!
Moving is a big change and can be overwhelming. It's important to take it one day at a time, and remember that you don't have to do everything at once!
A support system of friends or family can help ease the stress as you make this transition. Your support system can also provide advice on how best for your children and yourself in their new home environment.
Remember to take care of yourself during the move process; make sure you're eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep every night! You might not feel like doing much more than sleeping on those first few nights after moving into your new place, but try not to let yourself get too run down—it'll be better for everyone if everyone gets some rest!
Moving can be difficult for anyone, but single parents have an extra layer of stress. Don't let that stop you from taking the plunge! With so many resources available today, most of them at your fingertips through technology, there's no reason why you shouldn't make a move if it's what you want. And remember: the best way to make this process easier on yourself is by organizing early on and having everything ready before you start packing up your things. Just take some time for yourself during this transition and don't worry too much about getting everything perfect right off the bat – after all, it will take some time before everything feels normal again after such a big change in life!