How soon before you move into a new house should you start packing? Keep in mind that I have a 13 month old.?

Question

We are moving in about a month and I'm just not sure where to start or when to start.

Answer 1

Start now. We moved with a one yearold, and it took months to get it all packed. Start now. Trust me.

Answer 2

Having moved 24 times in my life, I consider myself somewhat of a packing expert.

I would say that, especially with a baby, you should start as soon as possible. Make a list of the rooms that you have in the house, and then under each list, the category or things in those rooms.
With a month until your move, you need to start now. Start by packing the things that you know you won't need until after the move. This includes packing up knick-knacks in the attic and/or basement that you are taking with you, but aren't critical to daily life.

2-3 weeks before, you should have all the books and papers and office things packed. You should also have a plan on how you are going to put things into the new house, and remember to label everything very well to ease in packing the truck and unpacking later. This is also a great time to have a yard sale for all of the tings that you found in the attic/basement that you know you'll never need. I always treat moving like spring cleaning, and I can usually pay for at least the gas in the truck from the yard sale.

One week before, you should have set aside 7-10 days of clothes and baby supplies in a suitcase, like you were going on a long vacation. Then pack all of your clothes and linens. I also find it easier to buy one package of paper plates and cups, and have the kitchen packed about 4-5 days before the move.

2-3 days before the move, you should be completely packed with the exception of the bed linens and your suitcases of clothes.

The day before the move, you would gather the household cleaning supplies and your list of rooms/categories. Make sure that all the rooms are accounted for and that everyting is packed and well labeled. A good thing to do is to have a plan for setting up the truck, and cleaning up the house. You should also have decided how you are moving everything out, and in what order.

If you have a plan, your moving day will go without a hitch. Remember, that with a baby, everything will take longer to pack, and also not to try and do everything at once. Set aside 1-2 hours per weeknight, and 3-4 hours each weekend to pack. Unless it's the weekend or the night before the move, don't do more than this, or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I had the same problem with a 5 month old. Don't wait, start packing NOW!!! Designate a place to put all the boxes that have been packed so they are out of the way.

Start with things you OBVIOUSLY don't need. Like, if your child has a bunch of clothes that don't fit them or they can't wear (out of season) start there. Pack unnecessary kitchen items (china that won't be used, platters, etc.), books and pictures that you won't need, bath stuff (like lotions and perfumes if you have a bunch), your summer clothes, etc.

Leave everything out that you will need for the next month, then slowly, as time gets closer, re-evaluate what you haven't packed. By the time you find more stuff to pack, you will find all new stuff. If you just keep moving around your house, you will eventually pack everything up.

Then, the weekend before you move, recruit family and friends to help pack up the rest (start asking now, when they will have little to no excuses to not help you). Then your done!

Good luck, and happy moving!!!

Answer 4

I'd start now with anything that you don't use very often. Out of season clothes or linens that you don't already have packed up, things like that. I'd just keep packing things in order of how sure you are that you won't need them before you move. You're right. Especially with a little one, the more you can do ahead of time, the better. I'd put the pictures and other usual clutter about in the middle. Even when I'm excited about a move, it gives me the creeps when the old place starts looking bare.

I'd also suggest that you do something I have yet to manage. Number your boxes and keep a list of what's in each one. That way you can also unpack in order of what you are most likely to need soon. This is as true of the flashlight, measuring tape and tools as of the dishes and silverware.

Answer 5

two weeks is probably good. Start packing tools and stuff of the like first. If you haven't used it in a while, pack it up. This will include decorations and everything else. When you get to one week, pack things that you use frequently, but not every day including bulk clothing, dvds/ cds, toys (except favorites and a couple books), and kitchen utensils. I would recommend using paper plates and utensils. It allows you to pack a lot more stuff sooner so you don't have to stress about it on the last day or two. A day or two before the move, i would pack all cleaning supplies you won't be using on the last day and everything else you won't NEED on your last day.

Remember, moving is extremely overwhelming to a young child, so make sure your child still has his/her favorite things available to help ease the process and make them accessible first thing when you get to the new place to ease the transition.

Answer 6

Start packing NOW!

One thing I've learned from my many moves is that it always takes longer than I expected to pack stuff up.

Start with things that you don't use often: books and CDs, etc.; out-of-season clothes; knick-knacks and decorative items; photographs; extra dishes and utensils, non-perishable food you don't expect to use before the move. Pack up everything you won't use between now and moving day.

If a box isn't full, don't seal it right away. You'll always find something that you can toss in.

If you're moving across town, you can take your perishable food with you on moving day. If you're moving farther, try to eat it all before moving day so you won't have to throw it out.

Save your cleaning supplies, vacuum, etc., for last because you'll probably want to clean up after the truck is loaded.

Use different boxes for each room. That will make it easier when you move into the new place and start unpacking.

Answer 7

When I moved last time, I started packing about a month before. Mostly things I knew I wouldn't need until after the move, like winter clothes (we moved in July), most of our books, movies, knick-knacks, extra pillows and blankets, and pictures. I only packed maybe a box or two a day after work, so you'll still have plenty of time with the baby. It will help cut down on the workload the week of the move, too.
Make sure to label the boxes by either contents or room.

And on the day of the move, pack things you will absolutey need (diapers, toilet paper, shower curtain*, medicines) in one box and keep track of it! (I couldn't find the shower curtain for two days, had to go buy one!)

Answer 8

Now. Start now. We moved 10 years ago with a 2 year old and a newborn, we started packing two weeks before the move date and spent the night before the move trying to finish up. It was a nightmare. I have 5 kids now - I'd want a 1 year advance notice before moving. ;->

Answer 9

Start now!! It may not seem like a lot, but you must start piecing rooms together. And LABEL EVERYTHING!! You really don't have much time girl. Start with things you don't use that often, you can go a month with out your personal library, etc.
Anyway, good luck on your new home! And, with having a child, when he/she is napping, get to work for a about an hour a day. It is worth it!

Answer 10

I started about a month ahead of time with stuff I could live without. Out of season clothes and the like. I only kept 1 pot, 1 pan and alot of plastic cutlery around too. My daughter was 2 at the time.