Move With Kids

Before I jump into today’s topic, I have a little tangent I will be off on for a moment. I am 41 years old and I have moved a lot in my lifetime. I have never lived anywhere more than three years. There are some things you need to keep in mind that you may not think of.

I was doing some online searches the other day and came across some sites I thought would be beneficial. When you move, sometimes you need a mover. A company to transport your belongings and you may even need some cross-border trucking. If you do, you may want to check out Titan Transline.

If you are planning to buy a home, check out www.hispersonalbest.com. Not only will he find you a home, he also has a free newsletter. If you are leaving a rental, and having trouble getting that security deposit – you may need legal advice. Take a look at MyDefence.ca. A full service firm to assist you in any area.

 

Astia graduateNow on to what brought me to the subject. I have been helping my daughter for the past two years. She is a single mom with two children. I have been living with her to help with the kids so she can work and go to school.

Prior to this, we all lived in Kentucky. Unfortunate circumstances left us with nowhere to turn. We ended up moving to Virginia were my parents and family are. In the time we have been here, my daughter has made great strides.

She obtained her GED. She passed her driving test to get her license. She purchased her first used car. She took college classes and worked full time to support her family. I could not be more proud.

We recently decided it was time for her to have her wings and fly solo. She wants to go back to Kentucky. We have been trying to figure out the best way for her to achieve that goal.

Here is our plan. We are moving her in stages. We are in the process now of putting all of her things in to a storage unit. The children and I are moved in at my sister’s house with her and her three girls. This is temporary of course.

packed carMy daughter has submitted applications to many jobs and within a week has had calls for interviews. She will be leaving to go meet with these employers. That was the easy part.

The hard part was finding someone who she could stay with, not only for her interviews but when she starts working. Hoping to find accommodations for about two months. Here’s when you find out who your real friends are.

The city she wanted to get to, unfortunately had no where for her to stay. We finally found a friend of mine in a city about an hour away. It would have to do. When she starts working she will stay with my friend and save money. Then when she gets her tax refund she will find a rental and move the kids up.

As many times as I have moved in my life, I do not recall ever having this much trouble. Are things getting harder out there? I think part of it is people are not as helpful as they once were.

But, as I have told my daughter many times, if you want something bad enough you will do whatever you have to do to get it.

crowdedWe will be enduring a crowded house with no real privacy. Living on other people’s terms basically until tax time. My daughter will be dealing with being away from her children for extended periods of time.

It is a move for the better though. There are not many jobs where we are now and they don’t pay very well either. There is also no diversity for the children.

That is what life is all about though. You make changes and evolve to be better and make a better way for your children.

Tips For a Move With Kids

  • If your kids are older, I would suggest having a little talk. Explain to them what is going to happen throughout the process.
  • Let your kids help with checking out the new home. They just want to feel included.
  • Moving is a great time to purge! Every time I have moved I have gotten rid of something. Usually a few somethings.
  • After the purge, have a yard sale. Get the kids involved and let them keep the money earned from their things that sell.
  • Do a little research about the area you are moving to. Find some fun facts and areas of interest to share with your kids.
  • If you are not particular, let the kids help with room plans in the new house. Not just their own rooms but the rest of the house as well.
  • Let your kids help with navigation. Pull out the GPS or a map. Show them the route you will be taking. Make a game out of it.
  • Be a tourist with your kids. Find out what there is to do. Pull out a calendar and have your kids help make plans for checking out your new community.

 

 

Angela

 

22 thoughts on “Move With Kids

  1. Angela,
    Yes times are getting that hard and rent is sky rocketing. Me and my son live with my mom. We have a 2 bed 2 bath apartment and pay $810 a month not including utilities. That is the cheapest place you can find here in a safe neighborhood. Not to mention finding somewhere reliable for daycare that is also afordable for a single parent. Add all that together and you can not feasibly live on your own as a single parent in this town if you want to see your child. I wish your daughter the best of luck!

    1. Hi Bree,
      Thank you so much for stopping by. It is really hard to make it on your own these days, especially for single moms. Thank you for your well wishes.
      Angela

  2. Great post, Angela. I haven’t been in the same shoes you are in but we certainly have had our share of moves, with children. The biggest one was leaving our Midwestern roots in Michigan to move to a foreign country called California. I clearly remember our kids, then 12 and 10, just staring out the window of the rented mini-van as we drove from the airport to our temporary home, wondering what life was going to bring to them. They did fine, of course, because we had a strong family.

    You are absolutely correct that, to make something work. we do what has to be done. Our latest move, from southern California to Texas, meant that my wife moved 6 months before me, so I live on my own in a small apartment. We adjusted and it worked out for the best.

    1. Hi Allyn,
      Sounds like we have had similar backgrounds. California is like another country, isn’t it? We do what has to be done to make life better for our family.
      Angela

  3. It’s never easy when big changes are needed and we tend to forget about the kids and how they might feel. Some good advice for helping them feel more secure. 🙂

    1. Hi Kathy,
      It is important to not forget our little ones. Every time we move, it effects them as well.
      Angela

  4. Hey
    I read through your post and it has a great story behind it! I really liked how you took something you had experience with and made into something you could share with people out there who need help with these kinds of things :).

    1. Hi Megan,
      I have found that life is the best teacher. I want to share my experiences in the hope that others can learn and benefit from it.
      Angela

  5. Your site has a lot of important information it really makes you not want to stop reading. I found the post very useful. I like how easy it was to understand and agree with the information. Great job. I look forward to reading more post from you!

    1. Hi Amanda,
      I am so glad you enjoyed it. I look forward to more interactions with you. Let me know if you have any questions or topics you would like me to address.
      Angela

  6. Tough times don’t last- tough people do. It’s interesting how resilient kids are. More importantly, I believe as long as they feel love and protected, any short term instance like moving will be but a “drop in the bucket.”

    1. Hi Fred,
      You are so right. It is amazing how easily kids will bounce back. I suppose we don’t give them enough credit.
      Angela

  7. I remember moving as a kid and agree with letting your kids look the place over. Once I was able to look at a place I totally bought in to the move!

    1. Hi Jared,
      It is great to allow your kids in on part of the moving process. We have to keep in mind that it is hard for them as well.
      Angela

  8. Great read and post. thanks for all the information. I know that the information you shared will be very useful for those facing similar situations.

  9. Hi Angela, it surely is tough being a single mom, have to worry about finance and the kids well -being. The constant house moving after 3 years is sure taxing, as for me I prefer to live in a place for many decades. It amazing that your daughter work full-time while studying. As for me, I suggest working online.

    1. Hi Paul,
      It is tough. Moving is not an easy task. I also agree that working online is the way to go.
      Angela

    1. Hi Rick,
      Thank you for your kind words and support. It is my goal to be able to provide an all encompassed information site for moms.
      Angela

  10. Excellent article, Angela. Moving is usually a hassle but moving with kids is a great challenge. The advice you give here is very valuable. Doing research on the place you are moving to can greatly help any kid with this difficult transition. Blessings!
    Hilda

    1. Hi Hilda,
      Thanks for stopping by. I am glad you enjoyed reading. I think it is a great idea to involve the kids to make the transition a bit easier.
      Angela

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