I know there are many of you moms on here that "think of everything" so I am turning to you for your input. My husband's company is moving us out of state the week of August 8th. The movers will be packing on the 8th, loading on the 9th, and arriving at our new home on the 16th! My husband will be driving himself and our Golden up to Illinois on the 14th and 15th, and my 4-year-old son and I will fly up the 15th. (We cannot get into our new home until the 16th.)
So here's my question(s): what things should I pack separately for my husband to take in our car (important documents, jewelry??). Other suggestions for preparing my husband for the looooooong drive with the dog? Airplane ride suggestions for my son?
To those of you mamas that tend to even "over-prepare", what would be on your preparation list?
Thank you so much!! You all are fabulous!!
Just do NOT 'label' the boxes saying "jewelery" or, "Important Documents" or "Account Files" on it on the exterior of the boxes... otherwise, someone WILL steal that.
Ya know?
I would keep, the irreplaceable and important documents/jewelry, with you. Packing it separately.
Don't leave it out in plain view, nor label the box as such, in plain view.
Aside from suitcases of clothes, toiletries, etc. (and DON'T forget swimsuits!!!) :
- Irreplaceable valuables (jewelry & photos), and pain in the neck paperwork (id, ssns, birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records) with you if possible.
ASIDE from that, I've moved about 20 times, and this is what you will WANT out immediately:
- Coffee Maker & 2 mugs (rofl... my parents are military, because it was impractical to bring their pot with them, they OWN more than 10 coffee pots. Because it's never in the box it's supposed to be in, or it IS, but that box ends up being put someplace weird. As we've all grown up and moved out, we all get the same gift from our parents: a coffee pot.)
- Movies for your child (TV is easy to find, it takes awhile -a few days to a few weeks- to set up cable or internet)
- Everyone's pillows
- lovies
- A single sautee pan (you can cook a lot in a sautee pan) and a spatula (plates, cups, cereal bowls, silverware all come in paper and plastic varieties that you can pick up on your first trip to the store)
- A lamp or 3 (you'll be amazed how many rooms don't have a light source), failing space for a lamp... nightlights. Cheap ones are fine. LOL... I can't tell you how many dark houses I've spent time in as a child/adult because there are only 1 or 2 rooms in the house with lights built into them.
- RED PACKING TAPE w/ OPEN FIRST; Bedding, Most Used Dishes, Kid's TV, etc written across from them. That way when the boxes are unloaded the "Must Have" items all get piled together in one area and you have your bedding, cartoons, etc in at least an 80% probablility of being unpacked with minimal effort.
((ROFLMAO @ Denise!! Yup! Movers, I think, get a KICK out of packing people's trash. They say "Trash" but most people hear "Trash CANS". ))
Lots of people covered important stuff. But, something to remember is not to pack candles, they melt in the heat, all over whatever they are packed with.
Expect a delay in receiving your things, they may show up a day or 2 later. So have extra clothes and an air mattress to sleep on.
I second Jen's answer. If possible, I would label the important boxes, you know, the one with the coffee maker and essential kitchen supplies, favorite toys and books, etc.
Good luck!
Maybe I should clarify: important as in some of the first things you want to unpack and use, not steal-your-identity-if-it-falls-into-the-wrong-hands important.
One thing we have found helpful when moving with pets is battery operated fans. That way when you stop for a few minutes you can turn the fan. We have done two cross country moves that took three days with live fish, a dog and cats and had four fans that I turned on every time we stopped. If your dog doesn't like strange water make sure to take an extra container for the car.
Also watch the movers that they don't pack your trash. We had movers once and they did ask if we wanted the trash to go, lol. It was amazing to watch them pack a whole house and load it.
You may want to keep a camera out too to record your moving events.
You are lucky because it is a short time you will be without your goods. Just pack important papers, jewelry, and anything irreplaceable like baby books, with your hubby. Also some basic cooking and eating supplies, and bedding essentials, since it may take you a while to get everything the movers pack put into place. Good luck on your new adventure.
HI Jessica - I have not moved as you have described however I am from IL and checked your profile to see where you'd be moving and I see you asked a question about Crystal Lake, IL - we will be in your neighborhood! Although our town is Lake in the Hills, we are in the Crystal Lake school district and my son goes to daycare in Crystal Lake (he also is 4) - maybe I'll see you around!
Good luck packing and moving!
