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How can I make it easy to pack with 3 kids? Any hints and tips?


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  • Start with boxing up things you don’t use everyday. Books, photos, kitchenware etc. I always make sure I keep their favourite things until the last minute before packing. I find it more difficult culling items before the move, so I tend to just shove everything in boxes, and sort it when unpacking, as it’s usually less stressful unpacking as you have more time. Moving day has been easier for me when my kid was either at school or at a friend’s – they want to help and are excited but more of a safety thing for me not being able to keep my eye on them during the move. Good luck.


  • 1) Yes, I’d agree on declutterring first. Not sure how to do it with 3 kids. Sometimes you want to save things ‘just in case’ to hand down. 2) And depending on their ages you might be very busy during the day with normal routine, so perhaps start well in advance of any moves to give yourself time. 3) If you are pressed for time then get some help, even if it’s someone to take the kids for a few days, or someone to do the packing while you look after the kids.


  • Make it a game with a point system/rewards and get in early, last thing you want to do is be packing last minute.


  • Start at the end of the house and work your up to the front of the house. When hubby and i moved the first room i did was the guest bedroom. I packed it all up and cleaned the room top to bottom. Once a box was packed and labelled it went in there. Have a box for the op shop and a box for rubbish. Ask the kids to fibd some toys that they would like to donate and give them small tasks that they can help you with. Good luck mumma


  • Give the kids jobs and distractions. Start early do one huge clean out of stuff and then do another one.


  • I would recommend making lists and labelling. Come up with a system of labelling that woks for you and that you understand so that when it comes to unpacking it’s easy too.


  • We recently moved and I made the mistake of not decluttering earlier enough before the move and still have a lot sitting in storage boxes! I would start small – one area at a time and concentrate on things that could be packed now, items to give away or put in a garage sale and items that you will use/need in the the next few months. Happy packing and good luck.


  • Having just moved Interstate, I know what a mammoth task it is – let alone having 3 children to work around too! Planning, organisation and everyone helping are a must – as is starting the work early, don’t leave anything until the last moment! Declutter – don’t pack anything you no longer need or want; delegate/allocate jobs where you can; and clearly label all boxes with both the contents and the room they need to go in. Good luck!


  • Delegate a chor to each child. If you need to pack alone which may be easier ask someone to mind the kids while you get stuff organised.


  • Also give everyone an age appropriate task to help out with a reward at the end.


  • Declutter and lots of organisation.


  • Never easy with kids especially 3, I would suggest dont wait to pack near your moving date, try packing the things which you dont need 1-2 months before like shoes, kitchen items, seasonal clothes. Get lots of cartons and start packing slow and steadily beforehand it will help a lot.


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