Move Smart Solutions Blog

If you’re facing a move across country with kids in tow, you may be nearing panic mode. The mere thought of getting a whining toddler to pack up all their toys is unnerving, let alone the thought of spending six hours trapped in a car with that toddler. Or, maybe your kids are school-aged, and you have to break the news that they’ll be leaving all their friends behind and starting a new adventure somewhere else.

If that doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, you’re not alone. Fortunately, we see families like yours make the big move from one side of the country to the other all the time—and we’ve learned a thing or two from their strategies throughout the process.

If your children have left for college or maybe to start families of their own, your home might be suddenly quieter and better organized than it’s been in years. Now that you can finally hear yourself think, you may have realized that you have more space in that big house than you know what to do with. If you’ve found yourself with an empty nest, downsizing might be the perfect solution for your new lifestyle needs.

Here are five things to consider when thinking about downsizing:

Camp Out Under the Christmas Tree

The night after you’ve finished decorating the Christmas tree, let the kids camp out on the living-room floor with the tree lit up. This will really get them in the Christmas spirit!

Make Reindeer Food

Cookies and milk are the classic Santa snacks, but he’s not the only one working hard Christmas night! Help your kids make sure the reindeer get fed too by mixing oats with glitter and sprinkling it out on the yard, the sparkle makes it easy for the reindeer to find.

New Year’s Prediction Jar