moving home Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Simple Hacks for Making Your Family Move Easier

March 5, 2021 by Mandy

We all know how much planning goes into a simple trip with small children and how stressful it can be to pack for it. Now imagine having to pack everything you own and transport it to a new house, especially if it’s in another town. Ouch. But panic not, as people move with families all across the country, and with the right moving company app, organization, and planning – you will manage, too. Let’s see what you should do to make this thing work.

While This Sounds Like a No Brainer – Plan Ahead

Moms are planners by nature and vocation, so you probably didn’t need us to tell you this. You also probably already know that things have a way of not going according to plan, especially with small children involved, but it is still very important to have some sort of a plan. So plan ahead and start packing and preparing early on. And we mean early on. Pack all those boxes from your basement, everyone’s seasonal clothes, holiday decorations, and everything you don’t use well ahead of time. You can even do it in baby steps, an hour or two a day, so you don’t get overwhelmed that early on.

Choose a Reliable Moving Company – It’s a Life Saver

You’re gonna need some sort of help in this relocation process, and you need to make sure you hire a reliable moving company. You know, one that will get the job done and get it done right, not make things worse and leave you with more work to do. You can use a moving company app to make sure you are only browsing through reputable movers. This way, you’ll be able to compare ratings left by people who have booked the services through the app and prices of moving services on the spot. It will save you a lot of time and potential trouble. Depending on your budget and your needs – entrust the movers with everything move-related and get that off your chest.

Talk to Your Kids and Get Them Involved

Your kids probably won’t be too excited about the move, even if it’s just a local one. They never are. They’re creatures of habit, and they can’t bear the thought of leaving their kindergarten or school buddies behind. They’ll also likely have tons of questions. So, tell them about the move as soon as possible, break it down for them nice and slow, and answer any questions they might have about it. If you won’t be able to visit, be upfront about it – if you are moving locally, promise them that they can still see their peers every once in a while (and then deliver on that promise). Get them interested in the new place by telling them about the great playgrounds and ice cream they have over there; you can even take them for a visit if possible. Make them a part of the process – they will feel more in charge and like they have a say in the matter. Ask them what color walls they would like in their new room or how they want to position their furniture. They will appreciate it.

Get Your Kids to Help Pack and Declutter

One of the key things to do while packing is to learn to let things go. Your kids probably won’t be able to do that and will want to keep all their toys, so this is your moment to shine as an organized mom. Get rid of all items no one from the family has worn for over a year – chances are no one will in the years to come. See what’s good enough to be given away and what goes in the trash. This also applies to your children’s old clothes and artwork. That box of pajamas and clothes your kid wore when he was three won’t ever see the light of the day, so it’s gotta go. If it’s good enough to be given away, do it, and keep some statement pieces as a memory. The same goes for their artwork and drawings – they are cute, but you don’t need a whole box of them, and there are many more to come, so keep some and toss the others. Then get your kids to help pack their things – it will keep them occupied, they’ll actually help and feel included. Win-win-win.

A Few Unpacking Tips

You will want to unpack your children’s things, the play area, and the kitchen first. You know kids – all they want to do is play and eat. Use that to your advantage. Give them a place to play, and make sure you can feed them easily, and you’ll have them out of your way so you can unpack everything else. To make the whole experience of moving easier for them, try to keep their usual routine and the family routine as it was. Additionally, you can add some new fun things to their routine connected with the new neighborhood/city, so they can get adjusted easily and quickly. And that’s about it. Plan, stay organized, get the kids involved, and you’re good. Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it – we are sure there are plenty of people eager to give you a helping hand.

5 Reasons Why Moving to Massachusetts Is a Marvelous Idea

August 14, 2019 by Mandy

Almost 7 million people call Massachusetts home, making it the third most densely populated state in the country. But while Massachusetts may be small, it certainly packs a punch.

There are a lot of undeniable benefits of moving to Massachusetts. So, if you’re planning to relocate, you can’t go wrong with the Bay State.

Do you want to know more? Keep reading to discover 5 reasons you should move to Massachusetts.

1. The Weather Is Beautiful

Florida and California are often thought of as having the best weather around. Although Massachusetts isn’t sunny and warm all year long, there’s no denying that the weather is beautiful there.

You can enjoy warm and mild summers, gorgeous autumns filled with color-changing leaves, white winters, and pretty springs with plenty of blooming flowers. This makes it a great location for anyone who wants some variety in their lives by experiencing all four seasons.

2. It’s So Charming

Although Massachusetts is densely populated, it’s filled with quaint and charming small towns. Moving here means you can enjoy a relaxed pace of life and really get to know your neighbors.

However, this does come at a price… literally. According to BiggerEquity, home prices and property taxes in Massachusetts are high, so be prepared to pay a pretty penny to live there.

3. The Schools Are Unparalleled

Do you have school-aged kids that will be coming with you? Well, Massachusetts has some of the best schools around, so your child is sure to get a great education.

And this doesn’t stop with secondary school. Massachusetts is also home to some of the world’s best universities, including Harvard and MIT.

4. There’s History Around Every Corner

As one of the 13 original colonies, it should come as no surprise that Massachusetts is packed with history. From the Boston Tea Party and the Mayflower’s landing to the first-ever Thanksgiving, Massachusetts has played a role in some vital parts of America’s history.

5. There’s Plenty to Do

Because of Massachusetts’ rich history, there are tons of museums and historical sites to check out, including the Salem Witch Museum, Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, and the Plimoth Plantation.

Massachusetts is also serious about their sports, so there are plenty of baseball, football, basketball, and ice hockey games to attend. During the winter, many residents enjoy partaking in winter sports, like skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating.

Of course, there are also plenty of bars, theaters, and brewery tours, ensuring that there really is something for everyone here.

Because of its location, there are also ample opportunities to take day and weekend trips. Boston and Cape Cod are popular vacation spots in Massachusetts, but Providence (Rhode Island), Hartford (Connecticut), Albany (New York) and even New York City are just a short drive away.

The Pros of Moving to Massachusetts

There’s no denying that Massachusetts has plenty to offer. From the seasonal weather to the myriad of activities, there are many benefits of moving to Massachusetts.

Are you looking for ways to update your new Massachusetts home? Then check out our DIY/Home blog page today!

3 Ways to Get Kids Excited About Moving

May 17, 2017 by Mandy

Moving is always hard on kids, maybe even harder than it is on mom and dad because they have no life experiences to gauge a move by. The unknown is always a frightening prospect and even teenagers can rebel to leaving family and friends behind. Unfortunately, who can blame them? If you are trying to get your kids at least accepting of the move, if not excited by it, here are a few things you can do to make it a bit easier on all involved.

1) Promise Them Video Chats Frequently

At the moment, you are reading this online. This means you obviously have access to the internet and whether you are here via smartphone or computer, you can still open up some kind of video chat so that your kids can stay in touch with friends back home. In fact, your older kids probably have their own smartphones and laptops or tablets, so remind them that their friends are only one Facetime away. If they are like the average teen in America, they spend upwards of 9 hours a day on social media!

2) Postcards from Your New Neighborhood

Grade school kids are still thrilled about sending and receiving mail via the United States Post Office. Maybe because it’s something tangible that they can hold in their hands, or maybe it’s because they are already burnt out on social media (yes even in third or fourth grade!), but for whatever reason, kids really do like mail! Take your cell phone around the neighborhood to get some pictures of your new area. Turn them into postcards your kids can send to friends back home. They can even be designed on a web server and printed at home on your local printer. To get an idea of the various free templates available, click here.

3) Offer Them One Adventure a Week

While everyone is so busy getting set up in your new location, sometimes it’s easy to forget that your kids are not mobile like you are. They go to school, come home and play with any new friends they might have met at school. If not, television and Facebook become their BFFs and that’s not a good thing at all! What you can do is offer to take them on one adventure a week. Together, look at travel sites because this is where you will find the best listing of “What to Do” and “What to See” in literally any city on earth. From there, you can pick and choose kid-friendly places to explore and that should pique their interest throughout the coming week.

No, moving isn’t easy on the kids but with a little creativity and a lot of compassion, you can get them to accept the move a little more readily. They may not be happy about it but with some extra care and a bit of time on your part, you might even get them excited about moving somewhere they’ve never been. Just remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It may take time, but eventually they’ll meet new friends and settle in. It’s just a matter of time.

Three Simple Ways To Make Your Home A Healthier, Happier Place

March 23, 2017 by Mandy

These days, more and more people are realizing that the quality of their home life plays an integral role in determining what level of mental and physical well-being they will attain. As such, it’s a good idea to think critically about what steps you can implement to ensure that your home is conducive to health and happiness. Here are three simple strategies you can implement to make it happen:

1. Consider Whether You Need To Sell Your Property And Move.

In some cases, individuals who want to optimize their home life need to look into attaining a new property. Whether your current space is too small or the local environment is no longer conducive to your mental and physical well-being, selling your property and moving can be a great way to get in a setting where you can live and thrive. If you’ve been thinking about this lately, consider attaining assistance from a real estate company like Invitation Homes. The Invitation Homes rentals provided by the realtors can help you take your quality of life to a new level.

2. Turn One Room Into A Gym.

If you’re serious about making your home a healthier, happier place, consider turning one room into a gym. This approach is immensely empowering because it enables you and your loved ones to make physical fitness an integral component of the lifestyle. Some of the great health benefits everyone will attain from regular physical activity include:

• Boosted immunity
• Weight management/weight loss
• Better sleep
• Enhanced metabolism
• Improved memory

Remember that turning a room into a gym doesn’t have to be an expensive or tedious process. You can slowly install piece by piece. For example, you could start with a treadmill and television. You could then add a few sets of weights, jumping ropes, ellipticals, and much more.

3. Have A Yard Sale.

In some cases, people will allow old furniture to pile up in their homes. When this happens, the aesthetic appeal of your property will oftentimes go down. Also note that maintaining the pack rat lifestyle can make your living space appear cluttered. As such, it’s a good idea to periodically have yard sales in which you give away old items that are no longer in use. To make the most of this strategy, be sure to advertise your yard sale as effectively as possible. In some cases, discussing the upcoming yard sale through social media channels like Twitter and Facebook can be efficacious.

Start Enjoying Your Home Life Now!

If you’re serious about leading a life of exceptional wellness, now is the time to acknowledge the role that an optimized home setting can play in helping you realize this objective. There are at least three strategies you can employ to take your home life to the next level. They include moving to a new property, turning a room into a gym, and having a yard sale. Start using these techniques immediately so you can begin enjoying your home life to the fullest!