Moving a Multi-Generational Family

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of flickr

In centuries past, it was common for families to be comprised of three or more generations, not to mention livestock.  While most modern humans limit livestock to a few prized pets, until recently it was unusual for multi-generational families to be the norm in the US.  The reason this was so was that lifespans were quite limited.  The average life expectancy in 1900 was only 49.  By 1950, it had risen to 68.  By 2000, it had risen again to 78.  Since parents are living longer, many families today routinely find themselves with three or even four generations under one roof.  This means when it comes time to move a multi-generational family, it can present some unique issues.

The Kids Come First

In the blog I wrote last year called Moving with Children, I pointed out that depending upon the age of your children, there are a number of issues needing to be handled.     

     

      1.      Infants aren’t all that difficult to deal with, since they are less mobile and usually less vocal when it comes to being moved.  That being said, babies come with a lot of baggage, some of which you will need before, during and after the move.  Since everything packed in boxes tend to get lost in the pile, you’ll need to pack a baby essentials bag to take on the road with you.  Include everything you’ll need to feed, change and clean your little bundle of joy.  Also make sure you take a blanket to keep the baby warm. 

Image courtesy of MaxPixel

      2.      Tots tend to get into everything.   This includes boxes you are trying to pack.  If you have tots, you’ll need to clear out a room, garden shed or garage, so you can pack without worrying about tiny hands getting into everything, or even worse, pulling boxes down on top of little ones. If possible, lock the door of any area used to pack and store boxes. Depending on how precocious your kids are, you might just find it’s easier to do the initial packing while they sleep.  Last but not least, when moving day arrives, it’s best to pack tots off to friends, family or neighbors while the movers load and unload the truck. You will be much happier during the entire process and your movers won’t have to spend half their time trying not to trip over your kids.

      3.      When it comes to schoolkids, I have good news and bad news.  The good news is your kids might be old enough to help pack their belongings. The bad news is unless you offer some kind of motivation, you might wind up with cranky kids.  While you will in all likelihood wind up repacking their boxes, it’s far better to have them participate in the process then to have them lament the fact that they are going to have to leave their friends behind. One way to motivate them to pitch in and look forward to the move is to tell them about all the benefits that await them in your new home.

      4.      Teenagers can either be a help or a hindrance to a move.  If you can find a way to get them to cooperate as opposed to digging in their heels, so much the better.  If your teens willingly participate in packing their things you’re home free.  If they decide to stage a mutiny, you could be in for a lot more stress than you bargained for.  Just as with schoolkids, teenagers respond favorably to incentives.  Whether you need to offer your teens a meal at their favorite fast food restaurant or a trip to the mall to get them to cooperate during the move, it will be worth it.  Having your teens raise hell during, after or about a move can drive any parent to drink.

Dealing with Grandparents

Image courtesy of flickr

As tough as moving with children can be, dealing with grandparents can be even worse if it isn’t handled properly.  In the first place, grandparents can be even more set in their ways than your kids.  Unlike your kids, you can’t send them to their room when they misbehave. Being creatures of habit, they don’t like it when their routine is disrupted.  They especially don’t like it if you tell them soon they will have to find new doctors.  If you plan on moving grandparents more than 10-miles away, a considerable amount of logistics will need to take place once the move is over. Prior to the move, you will need to explain to your aging mom and/or dad about the move (possibly several times, depending on their mental state).  You will have to pack for them, making sure you create an essentials box that includes their meds, hearing aid batteries, adult diapers and anything else they are likely to need in the first 24-hours after a move.  While you don’t have to shuttle them over to family or friends while the movers do their thing, you’ll definitely need to keep them someplace out of the way, unless you want your movers to have to stop and explain what they are doing every five minutes.  Where family can help with aging parents is by assisting in making the move as stress-free for them as possible. When I last moved my mom, I had my brother stay with her while I coordinated the move.  Then he took her along with some of her clothes, her meds and other essentials to the new house, freeing me up to look after the rest of the family.

Packing Your Pets

Image courtesy of wikimedia

While pets aren’t considered livestock, they are most definitely considered part of the family.  This means having to deal with the stress they feel during a move.  Just like people, dogs and cats are emotional beings.  If you don’t take their stress during a move seriously, you could be in for trouble.  Both dogs and cats can and will tear into boxes and leave you with messes if you disrupt their routines.  Sensing that something is afoot, they tend to get underfoot during both the packing and moving process.  The best way to offset this stress is to assign one or more members of your family to distract your pet by taking it out back to play while the process of packing and moving takes place.  Other kinds of pets, such as those in a cage, while being less stressed out by a move, need to be dealt with accordingly. Your best bet with birds, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs is to cover their cages during transport.  (Feel free to click over to my Packing Your Pets blog to find out more.)

Given the economic realities of our society combined with a tendency for people to live much longer than in generations past, moving multi-generational families might soon become the norm rather than the exception in this country. 

With over 5,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.