So we finally bit the bullet and are moving house. The thought of it is overwhelming – so much crap to be sorted, packed or purged. With six kids, I know you can imagine just how much crap we’re talking here. Adding further stress is the prospect of making our current house look nice enough that some other family will want to buy it.
Getting our house sale-ready will be a big job. My kids have left their marks – on the walls, carpets, curtains and pretty much everywhere else. In addition to the cosmetic issues, we don’t really use our house in the traditional way. My dining room has been transformed into a children’s study, and the kids’ dressers are in the hallway to make way for all the beds that need to fit in the bedrooms. In short, there is a house staging expert out there who is going to make a lot of coin out of me.
We told the kids about the move and they generally greeted the news well. We’re only moving up the street to a house on a court with some more square footage.
The four-year-old was most reluctant. After some discussion, I realized that she didn’t understand what a move meant. Turns out she didn’t want to move because she would miss her bike. I explained that all our crap was coming along with us and she went through the house item by item for confirmation that it would be coming along. Yes darling, even the plates are coming with us.
So I thought she got it: we bring our stuff with us; they take their stuff when they leave.
The day came when we were able to take the children through the new house. Thumbs up all around. The sellers are empty nesters who seemed thrilled that their house would once again be alive with the energy of small children.
After having a good look around the new digs, I noticed the four-year-old had a little worried look on her face. I asked her what she thought of the new house to which she replied:
“I like it, but there’s one problem: NO TOYS!”
I’m now thinking this move is going to take more patience than I originally anticipated.
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We are having the same issues here. We have 2 months to get rid of the crap and pack the good stuff here. Once packed, we have to make sure our brood of 4 doesn’t UNPACK us until the boxes are at the other house. Congrats on the new house!!
The good news is that any prospective buyers will see that if the house could withstand 6 kids, it can withstand anything!
Good luck with the move!!
Haha, this must be really common. My daughter was 4 when we moved, and she was very upset. We finally figured out she thought she had to leave all her stuffed animals behind.
Holy moly, that is a big undertaking, but I’m sure the kids will help (snicker). I love life from a 4-year old’s point of view.
I’m relieved to hear that you’re only moving up the street. I moved to an entirely different place three times during my preteen and teenage years and it really changed me as a person! On the downside, it makes you depressed because you’ll miss your friends. On the upside, it makes you be completely yourself, because that is the only way to make new, true friends. Congrats, Julie!
Julie, you’re amazing. So exciting for you and the family. I love big families and big family homes.
My son was 4 when we moved and he would get really excied at some houses we looked at but not others. Turns out he had the same thought and liked the homes that had lots of toys in them!