Cover photo source: Unsplash
Collaborative Post¦ Moving house is chaotic at the best of times. Add kids to the equation, and suddenly, you’re juggling logistics, unpredictable emotions, and an endless stream of toys, many of which you didn’t even know you owned. So what’s the goal? To keep the process as smooth and meltdown-free as possible. That means streamlining everything – from decluttering and selling your home to making moving day itself as stress-free as humanly possible. With the right approach, you can make the transition easier for everyone (even yourself).
Declutter and Pack Smarter
Before a single box gets taped up, it’s time to declutter. The average UK home contains around 300,000 items, and let’s be honest – at least a third of those are gathering dust. Moving unnecessary clutter is a waste of time, money, and patience. Start with the kids’ rooms – outgrown clothes, forgotten toys, and that pile of mismatched socks can go. If your child struggles with letting things go, make it a game: let them pick a ‘charity box’ or earn rewards for every five items they donate.
Once you’ve streamlined, pack with strategy. Colour-code boxes (red for essentials, blue for toys, green for kitchenware) so unpacking isn’t a total guessing game. A study by UCL found that clutter increases cortisol levels, so the fewer random items you have, the less stressful the move will feel. For each child, pack a ‘moving day survival kit’ filled with their favourite snacks, toys, and a comfort item – because the last thing you need is a bedtime meltdown over a missing teddy.
Simplifying the House-Selling Process
Source: Unsplash
Selling a home tends to be one of the most time-consuming parts of moving, especially for families juggling childcare and relocation logistics. If you’ve ever sold and moved before then there’s a good chance you’ve been stuck in a chain, sometimes even missing out on the dream property as a result. In fact, one in three UK property sales collapse before completion, often due to delays or financing issues.
Services like We Buy Any Home in Bristol can help to avoid that heartache by offering a fast alternative for those looking to move on their own schedule. This helps to cut out delays and uncertainty so you can focus on your next step instead of waiting on someone else’s mortgage approval.
If you’re going the traditional route, keep the house presentable by packing non-essentials early and limiting viewings to set times when the house is at its best (read: when the kids aren’t home creating chaos). A study by the National Association of Realtors showed that staged homes sell 88% faster, so packing up toys and keeping decor minimal can seriously help speed things along.
Making Moving Day as Smooth as Possible
Moving day is a marathon, not a sprint – so plan accordingly. If possible, arrange for younger kids to be elsewhere (grandparents, friends, or even a play date). If that’s not an option, assign them simple jobs – carrying soft items, handing out snacks, or being in charge of the pet.
Pack an ‘open first’ box with the essentials: pajamas, toothbrushes, favourite bedtime books, a kettle (non-negotiable). Have easy food options ready because no one wants to cook after hauling boxes all day. A study by OnePoll found that nearly 60% of people think moving is more stressful than divorce, so anything that reduces last-minute chaos is worth doing. Most importantly, set up kids’ rooms first – familiar bedding, their nightlight, a few favourite toys. The quicker they settle, the easier the transition will be.