Leslie's Top 10 Tips for Moving a Military Family

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Keep the crazymaking to a minimum.  Rumors often precede the paperwork.  Wait for the actual posting message to arrive.

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Photograph the contents of your home.  If you need to make a claim, a photograph is hard to dispute. 

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Empty out one closet.  Tape a big “X” on the door with a sign saying “Do Not Move”.  Place all items you need to take with you while travelling to your new posting in there. You can also place your box of items for the new homeowner here i.e. garage door openers, sink plugs, remotes, manuals, paint swatches.

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Place signs on the kids’ bedroom doors.  Number the doors and label each box departing that room with the corresponding number.  Upon arriving at your destination, sign the bedroom doors again accordingly.  This allows you to direct traffic easily because, let’s face it, Bob the mover has no idea who Rachel, Nathan and Thomas are.

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Throw out your toilet brush.  Some items just aren’t as much a part of the family when you get to the new place as they were at the old place.  The toilet brush is one of those items. Get rid of it.

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Ziploc bags are your friend.  Label and use several Ziplocs to separate the hardware for the items the movers need to take apart to move.  An entire hardware store rolling around at the bottom of your “Set Up” box is not a good look on move-in day.

 

Treat your packers like royalty.  These are the unsung heroes of the move - the logistics trades if you will.  Many people go the extra mile for the movers who load all your gear by feeding them and thanking them.  Do the same with your packers.  They are the ones that give your grandmother’s precious vase the very best chance of survival on the long road to CFB Shilo.

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Arrange for a playdate.  You are more likely to have friends offer to watch your kids when you are moving out than when you are moving in. Accept the help.

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Use an expandable folder.  You will be surprised how much information you will need to get you from Base A to Base B.  File important papers, passports, bills, password sheets, medical cards and anything else you might need to keep your life going while on the move.  Compiling this information will also make you feel more organized and in control.  And you are!  You’ve got this.

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Stay Positive.  Any move is stressful but moving with the military has some unique challenges.  Try to focus on the positives.  Moving to a new city, purchasing a better house, making new friends and re-uniting with old friends can all add joy to the adventure.

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