A family is a unit. That means they do things as a unit. When the family members move to a new house, they do it as a unit. Clear communication during a move is crucial because it helps the family function as a team. When a move is a team effort, it brings the family members closer, and they get through it like survivors. Creating a moving newsletter for the family is a valuable tool for keeping communication clear and families connected.
A moving newsletter works because it’s the written word. Whether you’re splitting up tasks among family members, or simply keeping everyone apprised of your progress, putting it in writing creates a visual and helps to prioritize the move. What belongs in a moving newsletter? That’s something Colonial Van Lines can give you some information on.
Post a Moving Newsletter to Announce a Family Meeting
Before you get started, post a newsletter to announce a family meeting to discuss the move with your kids. Moving with school-age kids can be tough because they’ll be nervous about making new friends and upset about leaving their old ones behind. Give them time to process the news and encourage them to think positively about their new location.
Announce a Meeting to Discuss Movers
About eight weeks before the move, schedule a meeting to make an informed decision about hiring professional movers. You may consider renting a van and doing it yourself, but if you have a busy family with children, time and safety are very important factors to keep in mind. In that case, it may be best to trust a reputable mover to avoid risk, dangers, and unforeseen expenses.
Post Moving Information
If you do choose to go with a mover, post the dates and times they’re expected to show up along with any relevant information on how to contact them. If you choose to go DIY, post the date and time of the move clearly.
Look For Free Moving Boxes
One thing you’re going to need for your move is a lot of boxes of all different sizes. Spread the word to your family to be on the lookout. Even if your kids can’t bring the boxes home by themselves, they may think of spotting them as a challenging adventure. Also, remind the adult members to keep their eyes open and search craigslist or freecycle online. Cardboard boxes are one of the biggest expenses in a move. Free ones are truly priceless.
Declutter The Home
When it comes to decluttering your home, that means broken toys, Lego games with missing pieces, art and baby dolls who have seen better days. Cleaning out the house is a team effort and that means children too. Let the kids know that by doing their share, they’re making themselves a valuable member of the family team. Announce family decluttering activities, such as cleaning the garage, on your newsletter to generate some extra team spirit.
Start Packing
Urge your children to pack their own belongings. Give them a day and a time to start sorting their things to make sure it gets done in a timely fashion. Little hands can make a big difference in packing efficiently.
Plan A Going Away Party
No matter how busy you are making plans for your move, take the time out to plan a going-away party, especially for the kids. Remind your family members to make up invitation lists and give them time to shop for the basic party essentials. Planning a party will give your family members something to look forward to and provide a pleasant distraction from the stress of the big transition.
Pack An Essentials Box
Have your family members each pack an essentials box with the things that they will need for survival on moving day and a few days after relocation. Be sure to include medication, an emergency kit and essential items for pets and children.
Saying Good-bye to the House
It may be bittersweet but saying good-bye to the house can bring closure to your old life and help you look forward to your new one with renewed hope. Give your family a day to capture their most precious memories, whether that means snapping random photos or taking a meaningful souvenir from the old home and bringing it into the new one.
Template for Creating a Moving Plan
Whether planning is not your thing, or the sharpie and construction paper are just not working for you, you can always download and print a moving plan template. Most moving templates task along a timeline starting 6-8 weeks before your move and continue throughout moving day. They won’t be as personalized as your own moving newsletter, but they will keep you organized. Download the Microsoft home moving checklist here.
A Word from Colonial Van Lines
At Colonial Van Lines, we know the importance of communication during a move. When you hire us, you can rest assured our specialists will communicate with you constantly throughout your relocation process. Our experienced movers will stay by your side to handle every aspect of the move from start to finish. Whether you need assistance with packing, storage, or just need help with transportation, we can make your move as hassle-free as possible.
All of our customer relationships begin with trust. With over 50 years of experience, our licensed and insured team have the skills and know-how to handle your precious belongings with care, and we offer our services at affordable prices. At Colonial, we work with our customers to tailor a plan according to their budgets and the requirements of their move.
Our free rate quotes are designed to keep our customers from falling into money traps. We give our customers a line by line breakdown of their expenses, so they know where their payment is going. We don’t hide service fees from our clients, and we make sure that none of our customers sign a contract before they have a chance to think it over carefully.
Hiring a dependable moving company is probably the best thing you can do for your family during a move. Request our free rate quote today and make Colonial Van Lines the company you post on your next moving newsletter.
