Start early and plan ahead. Try to avoid moving on a Friday or the last day of the month as everyone else will be moving on those days as well. If there’s a last minute hold up, you could well find yourself sitting outside your new home with no way of completing the deal, or moving in, until after the weekend.

1. Moving is stressful for children because it involves changing schools and losing friends.
2. Get the children involved! Ask them to sort through their toys and throw away the ones they do not want anymore! They should start by throwing away their broken toys
3. You can buy books about moving house.
4. Take them with you when looking at new homes, talk about which maybe their room, and show them local parks and fun things to do as this will relieve the worry and stress they maybe feeling.
5. Ask older children to help choose new paints and wallpaper for their rooms
6. Talk to your children and explain why you are moving
7. On the day of the move arrange for someone to look after them, but don’t worry if you can not pack a box if treats and things to keep them occupied, make sure they avoid playing in main walkways away from the removal men!

• Start using up the food in the freezer.
• As you pack up each room declutter at the same time so you are not taking unwanted items with you.  Organise the packing room by room and don’t mix items destined for different rooms in the same box.
• Never use newspapers to wrap to avoid ink transfers. Buy bubble wrap or alternatively ask you local chip shop if they can supply you with wrapping sheets! They are cheap clean and more efficient to wrap with, and everything will not smell of old newspapers.

• Arrange for any light fittings to be disconnected and any other fixtures and fittings that you are taking and have been agreed upon. Don’t forget to replace with standard fittings.
• Label your bedroom furnishings so the removal crew know whose is whose furnishings.

• Empty, clean and defrost the fridge and freezer.
• Pack a box of goodies and toys for the children if they will be with you on moving day.
• Pack a suitcase for the family with enough clothes to last for a few days. Set aside a "safe zone" for coats, handbags and anything else you might need on the day. Put all this in the car as soon as possible.
• Charge up your mobile phone and PDA if you have a digital camera free up memory space and charge it!
• Pack away your computer!
• Put all important documents and jewellery in a safe place and carry this with you in the car.

• Write a list of keep a book with everyone’s telephone numbers in especially your exchange parties, before setting off telephone them make sure everything is ok.  We also advise to have the emergency telephone number to hand for your Landlord, be prepared for anything!
• Pack a moving-day essentials box containing snacks, kettle, tea, coffee, milk, sugar, mugs, disposable cups, plates, bowls and cutlery to save time washing up, loo rolls, soap toothpaste and tooth brushes, nappies an wipes for babies,  general-purpose cleaner, bedding, light bulbs, capol for kids headache pills and any regular medication,
• Sort out all your keys and label them. Put keys to the house in one place, together with instruction manuals for any appliances you are leaving behind such as the boiler; leave the tenant’s handbook, and any post that has already arrived for the new owner.
• Now get a good night’s sleep, tomorrow will be a very tiring long day!

• Read electricity, gas and water meters at both properties and ring through the readings to the relevant supplier.
• Make sure that you give the removal crew your mobile telephone number so they can keep in contact with you
• Open all boxes as soon as possible to check for damages as the Removal Firms insurance will not last forever!
• Moving day can be hectic and very tiring, make sure you stop for breaks to relieve the stress, arrange to buy takeaways and just sort out enough belongings and mattresses to be able to sleep! This will enable you and the family to work more efficiently the following day of unpacking and settling in.