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Moving is a huge transition for your whole family, and kids often feel quite anxious about leaving their current routines and friends and starting over somewhere new.  While you may be busy packing and taking care of the many details on your check list for moving, your children can feel a bit lost and worried.  Help them draft their own check list for moving and let them feel empowered by the changes to come. 

Kids Check List for Moving:

1.  Gather contact information for all your friends, so you can keep in touch.
2.  Sort through your toys, books and clothing to see what you might not need anymore.  Pass them along to a younger friend or an organization that really needs them.
3.  Ask your parents what you can do to help pack.  Add those tasks to your check list for moving.
4.  Make your own labels or draw on the boxes that belong to your room, so the movers and you can quickly see what belongs in your room when they move you in.
5.  Do research on your new city and neighborhood to see what it looks like.  You can do this online or check out books at the library.
6.  Make a list of fun things to do in your new city. 
7.  Find out the name of your new school and look at pictures online.
8.  Draw a picture of how you plan to arrange everything in your room and come up with a decorating plan.
9.  Decide what things you plan to take with you for the road trip to your new home.
10.  Ask your parents to help you put together snacks and activities for moving day and the road trip. 

The items on the check list for moving that you help your kids come up with will be different, depending upon the age of your kids.  But hopefully this will give you some ideas and a solid place to start.  If they are old enough, you can have them help out with some of the items on your own check list for moving, as well.

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A moving list is a common way to stay organized and on track before, during and after a move.  No matter how simple or obvious the task, put it on your moving list.  As your moving day gets closer, you will be happy to have the guidelines and focus that a moving list can provide.  And do not forget to add tasks for your actual moving day to assure that every last task is accomplished.

Moving List for Moving Day:
1.  Make sure your suitcases that will get you through the next couple days are packed and put somewhere safe so they do not accidentally get moved.
2.  Put your personal files in your car or somewhere safe, so they are not lost in the moving shuffle.
3.  Have cash to tip movers.
4.  Write out check or have payment ready for movers and rental companies.
5.  Print out directions and the new address for yourself and movers.
6.  Notify a close friend or relative so they know your moving and road trip plans.
7.  Prepare snacks and activities for your family for the long moving day and the road trip.
8.  Have markers and a notepad and pen, so you can label and take inventory of boxes beings loaded.  
9.  Clearly label all furniture, appliances and other items that are not to be moved.
10.  Turn off all appliances and make sure they are clean.
11.  Do a walk through before you or the truck leave to make sure nothing was forgotten.
12.  Do last minute clean up.
13.  Make sure faucets and lights are off and all windows and doors shut and locked.
14.  Notify realtor or landlord that you have moved out. (Keep copy of inspection report, if you did a walk through).
15.  Drop off or leave keys.
16.  Double check that everything on your moving list has been accomplished. 

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Moving out of an apartment is hectic.  Not only do you have to take care of the details that go along with moving, but you have to make sure you leave your apartment in good condition.  The one thing that often gets lost in the shuffle and pushed off until the last minute is actually cleaning and repairing damages in the apartment.  It is wise, therefore, to come up with a moving out check list for cleaning and repairs.  A moving out check list specifically focused on cleaning will assure that you are not scrambling at midnight (after a long day of moving) trying to clean and repair years of dirt and use.

MOVING OUT CHECK LIST FOR CLEANING:

One Month Prior to Move:
1.  Review your lease to make sure you understand your obligations for repairs and upkeep.  Also check the amount of your security deposit.
2.  Confirm your move out date with your landlord or management agent.
3.  Do a walk through of your apartment by yourself and make note of any repairs or things that need replacing for which you are responsible.  For example, light bulbs, air vent filters, carpet cleaning, etc.  Add those items to your moving out check list and the date by which you would like them accomplished.

Two weeks prior to move:
1.  Find a new home for or arrange to dispose of hazardous materials such as paint cans, cleaning agents, etc.
2.  Donate or sell furniture and other items you do not wish to move.
3.  Give away non perishable food items you do not wish to move (everyone loves free food).
4.  Review your moving out check list to make sure you are taking care of repairs by your deadlines. 

One week prior to move:
1.  Clean closet shelves and kitchen and bathroom cabinets as you pack the contents from them.
2.  Thoroughly clean the bathroom and kitchen.
3.  Dust surfaces, light fixtures and corners for cob webs.
4.  Vacuum or sweep under beds and furniture, so you will not have a huge mound of dust bunnies to contend with after you move out.

Two days prior to move:
1.  Give away perishable food items.
2.  Defrost freezer.
3.  Clean refrigerator.
4.  Clean other appliances that belong to the apartment.
5.  Review moving out check list.

Day of move (once apartment is empty):
1.  Vacuum or sweep dirt from moving day.
2.  Mop kitchen and bathroom.
3.  Wipe surfaces in bathroom and kitchen.
4. Use list of repairs and other notes from moving out check list as a reference when you do the walk through.
5.  Happily collect your security deposit and have enough energy to celebrate, since you did all the hard cleaning ahead of time! 

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