Navigating the Challenges of Moving With Children, a Spouse, and a Competitive Mother-in-Law

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Two months ago, the thought of selling my home, decluttering the kitchen, donating the kids’ belongings, and starting anew felt like a dream come true. However, when you factor in two children with an abundance of toys, a weary husband, and a fiercely competitive mother-in-law, it quickly transforms into a daunting experience. Here are ten lessons learned from this exhausting process:

1. Using washable markers to label boxes may seem smart until a rainy moving day renders your descriptions unreadable.
2. Monitor your spouse closely. When he claims to be “shredding important documents” in the basement, it often translates to sipping a beer and catching up on ESPN or taking a nap.
3. Take advantage of bulk pick-up services. While they can’t remove annoying family members, they can help with large furniture or items you wish to discard. Schedule this service at least 24 hours before the sale closes.
4. Prepare for a potential showdown with your mother-in-law. Remember, you’ve taken her son away, and she may not be keen on you packing his things. Her efficient packing skills are likely honed from years of practice since you announced your moving date.
5. Have a sincere conversation with your children about the move. For instance, “Sweetheart, please stop crying. I’m not giving away your American Girl dolls; they’re just being relocated. If you don’t stop, I might just toss them!”
6. Memorize a variety of synonyms for “useless.” Your kids and spouse may become indifferent to your frustrations if you use the same word repeatedly.
7. Avoid giving your son anything sharp, such as keys, after your belongings are packed. It won’t be long before he’s creating chaos like Edward Scissorhands with the boxes.
8. Ensure that TVs and tablets are among the last items packed. Otherwise, you might find yourself inventing games to keep the family entertained.
9. Involve your kids in the packing process. Not necessarily for efficiency, but to quell the incessant “Can I help? Can I help?” questions.
10. Finally, pray. Hope that the move is smooth and that the stress doesn’t overwhelm you—it’s one of life’s most challenging events.

Best of luck with your move; I’m cheering for you!

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In summary, moving with children, a spouse, and a competitive in-law can be overwhelming, but with careful planning, communication, and a touch of humor, you can navigate the challenges successfully.