Your closing date on your new home is coming closer. Time to get serious and get stuff done with the help of your family! You need a plan! Don't worry, I have moved seventeen times. My last nine moves included at least one child. My most recent move included moving with seven children and I was so very pregnant that I had the baby four days after moving day! I was also 45 years old at the time! I have had experience and developed a plan that works great. Here is a 30 Day Moving Plan that includes help from the family.

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30 Day Moving Plan

Make time for this huge project. If you do not have time, then add it to your day by sacrificing a little sleep. Be sure to get at least 6 hours so you are somewhat safe to drive on the roads! You need at least five hours a day for this plan (just for yourself) and family members can each do one to two hours worth to make it all work. There are ten tasks per day. Some take longer than others. Keep your children's bedtime and morning routines the same, if possible. Be as happy, upbeat and positive as you possibly can be (even if you are the only one) – everyone will be looking to you to set the mood.

Family members need to do task 5, then if they have extra time, task 6, and tasks 8 through 10. You know what your kids and spouse have time to handle and are able to handle, so you can task them accordingly. You may need to task an older child to watch a younger one at certain times.

I understand this may not be your normal routine for laundry and cleaning. You have to remember, this is a special time and you can't do ALL THE THINGS, just get these done and if you have extra time, great! Please note that I do not include meal times, baths/showers, pet care, church, extended family and club events, etc. so you will need to apply those to your schedule.

When packing, be sure that boxes are labeled according to room with labels or color coded duct tape so moving helpers can put boxes in the correct rooms immediately. Place labels on one side of the box in the upper right corner of every box. Consistency helps all who are involved. As you are packing, have a box for items to donate and a bag for trash.

Life gets busy and some days you will have a sick child, special events, outings, etc. that will take up time and you will not finish your list for the day. Move those tasks on to future days and enlist more help or get less sleep (but at least 6 hours) if possible.

This information is based on a local move within the same state or region. If you are moving out of state or country, there is additional paperwork and much more to consider, which is not covered in the scope of this article.

Next, you need to decide if you will need to put your items in a storage unit between places temporarily. Keep in mind when packing that some items cannot be placed in a storage unit.

Finally, you will need to know your moving date as this article is based on how many days are left until moving day, once those have been covered, try to do all of these each day to keep moving stress away – enlist extra help if you start to get behind. Start here:

Day 30

1. Have children choose colorful duct tape  unique to their bedroom or use printing labels and assign them a room number
2. Buy moving supplies like clear packing tape, ink for printer, Avery labels, Sharpie markers, bubble wrap and find moving boxes
3. Arrange for repairs to current home, get home insurance for new home
4. Get a binder, print moving binder pages and put it together, add this moving plan and/or the packing checklist
5. Task family members to pack their own wall hangings
6. Pack all household wall hangings and fill holes and repaint as needed
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away parents' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean living and family rooms

Day 29

1. Print labels for moving
2. Make a plan to use up food items, plan a grocery list for additional items needed to complete the meal, get paper plates and plastic ware to use
3. Plan pet arrangements
4. Schedule moving truck or help
5. Task family members to pack their own knick-knacks, room decor and collectible items
6. Pack all household knick-knacks, room decor and collectible items
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away daughters' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean dining room

Day 28

1. Measure rooms and make furniture plan for new home
2. Back up computer and hard drives and photos
3. Return borrowed items to library/friends and retrieve loaned items
4. Change of address notices and tell post office
5. Task family members to pack their own books
6. Pack all household books, cookbooks, homeschool books and materials (not needed until the move) as well as photo albums (leave some children's books out)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away sons' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean bathrooms

Day 27

1. Oil changes or auto repairs
2. Money plan, closing costs, down payment, etc.
3. Pack outdoor sheds
4. Pack outdoor barns, other buildings (not garage)
5. Task family members to pack their own art and craft supplies
6. Pack all household art and craft supplies (leave out some color books and crayons for smaller children)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – parents' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean kitchen

Day 26

1. Pack items in attic
2. Pack items in rafters of garage
3. Pack porch, sun room or three season room
4. Pack swings from swing set and outside decor, garden decor, garden hose, etc.
5. Task family members to pack their own outdoor toys or items
6. Pack all outdoor items (leave out equipment to deal with lawn or snow removal)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – daughters' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean front entry and hallways

Day 25

1. Arrange for school or bus changes
2. Pack items from shelves in garage
3. Label movable shelves in garage for what rooms they should go in
4. Pack wall items in garage (leave out necessary tools for dis-assembling and re-assembling furniture)
5. Task family members to pack their own garage items (kites, bike accessories, sports equipment, etc.)
6. Pack all remaining garage items (except necessary tools or items to deal with lawn or snow removal)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – sons' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean office, toy room and extra rooms

Day 24

1. Pack items from shelves in utility room
2. Label movable shelves in utility room for what rooms they should go in
3. Pack items from shelves in basement
4. Label movable shelves in basement for what rooms they should go in
5. Task family members to pack their own basement and utility room items
6. Pack all remaining basement and utility room items
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away kitchen, bathroom and cleaning towels
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean all bedrooms

Day 23

1. If anyone is pregnant, pack a maternity hospital bag (even if the due date is several months, sometimes it takes a long time to unpack and find those items later) and keep that out
2. Pack jewelry, makeup, purses, shoes, belts, ties, hats, and accessories that will not be needed before the move
3. Pack the linen closet
4. Pack closet items that you will not need up until the move (keep out a funeral outfit, just in case)
5. Task family members to pack their own closet items they will not need and to keep out funeral outfits as well
6. Pack all remaining household closets
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away parents' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean the living room and family room

Day 22

1. Find all spare keys or lock codes and put them with closing documents to take to closing
2. Empty out and pack the junk drawer(s)
3. Find information that needs to stay with the house like refrigerator manual, warranties, washing machine manual, etc. and put it in an empty drawer for new owners
4. Pack the office, but leave out what you need to use and to pay bills, house selling and closing documents, last two years tax returns, etc.
5. Task family members to pack their own drawers in the house
6. Pack all remaining household drawers, except kitchen
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away daughters' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean the dining room

Day 21

1. Schedule carpet cleaning for current and new home
2. Wash, dry and re-hang all curtains and window treatments
3. Take a trip to dump and donation center
4. Pack under bed items
5. Task family members to pack items under their beds
6. Pack all remaining items under beds (spare room, little children's rooms, nursery)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away sons' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean the bathrooms

Day 20

1. Pack bedroom items on shelves and dresser tops
2. Label movable shelves in bedroom to reflect what rooms they should go in
3. Label other furniture in bedroom to reflect what rooms they will go in
4. Pack all remaining bedroom items that will not be needed before the move
5. Task family members to pack remaining bedroom items that will not be needed before the move (children should keep out one box of toys, if toys are in bedroom as well as a backpack of “to do” items like coloring books and colors, picture books to read, etc.)
6. Pack all remaining bedroom items (spare room, little children's rooms, nursery – keep out one box of toys and “to do” backpack as mentioned above)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – parents' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean the kitchen

Day 19

1. Pack hallway items and label furniture
2. Pack stairway and under stairs items
3. Pack dining room items
4. Label dining room furniture
5. Task family members to help carefully package and label holiday items (ornaments may need to be wrapped in bubble wrap)
6. Pack and label all holiday items
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put back on bed – daughters' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean front entry and hallway

Day 18

1. Clear a big area like the dining room table
2. Put all of the board games on the table
3. Put all card games, marble games, dominoes and other games on the table
4. Put all extra game pieces and instructions on the table
5. Task family members to go through games and be sure all pieces are in them and repair boxes with clear packing tape, decide which to keep, donate and trash. Then pack the games (leave out a few small ones or decks of cards to play until the move).
6. Help family members go through games in Task 5 above and pack them
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put back on bed – sons' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean office, toy room and extra room

Day 17

1. Pack all pet supplies not needed until move
2. Pack laundry room, except items needed until move
3. Pack all beach towels, swim shoes, etc.
4. Set all puzzles and pieces on the table
5. Task family members to go through puzzles and be sure all pieces are there and repair boxes with clear packing tape, decide which to keep, donate and trash. Then pack them.
6. Help family members go through puzzles in Task 5 above and pack them
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away kitchen, bathroom and cleaning towels
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean all bedrooms

Day 16

1. Pack all pillows, extra cushions and blankets from living and family rooms.
2. Pack any magazines, newspapers, maps, atlases or reading materials and accessories from living and family rooms.
3. Pack all living room and family room items, except DVDs, video games and related electronic equipment
4. Set DVDs and video games on table
5. Task family members to go through DVDs and video games and decide which to keep, donate and trash. Decide what you need before moving day and keep those out. Then pack the rest. Pack any DVD players, video gaming systems, etc. that will not be used before the move.
6. Help family members go through DVDs, video games, etc. in Task 5 and pack them.
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away parents' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean living room and family rooms

Day 15

1. Arrange for utilities, phone/internet, disposal services to be stopped for current home the day after moving out and installed or started the day before moving in
2. Pay all bills leading up to move
3. Use up pellets for pellet stove and fill water softener with salt. Donate extras to someone if you will not need them.
4. Go in each room of house and label furniture for what room it should go into
5. Task family members to label their furniture for what room it should go into
6. As you are labeling furniture or inspecting family members' work, notice any unpacked items that should have been and pack them or ask if they are needed before the move.
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away daughters' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean dining room

Day 14

1. Take a trip to dump and donation center
2. Pack all canning supplies in kitchen
3. Pack all small appliances that will not be used before move in kitchen
4. Pack all baking bowls and equipment that will not be used before move in kitchen
5. Task family members to pack kitchen items that will not be needed before move, but not drinking cups of any kind
6. Direct family members as to what to pack or not pack in the kitchen.
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away sons' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean bathrooms

Day 13

1. Go around the house and take down any shelves or organizers that are not staying with the home. Put screws or nails in a snack zip seal plastic bag and include in packing box or tape to it.
2. Re-confirm moving truck or help
3. Pack seasonal clothing that is not needed (snow pants, spring jackets, rain coats, etc.) before the move
4. Pack extra shoes and boots that are not needed before move (sandals, winter boots, etc.)
5. Task family members to pack their seasonal clothing and footwear that will not be needed before move
6. Pack or label containers that may have held seasonal items
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put back on bed – parents' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean kitchen

Day 12

1. Fill any prescriptions needed before move
2. Shop for moving day food and beverages for moving helpers, as well as food and needs up to moving day
3. Pack all glassware in kitchen not needed until moving day
4. Pack all extra travel coffee cups and extra coffee mugs
5. Task family members to pack all drinking cups not needed before the move
6. Double check each cupboard and drawer in kitchen to see if there is more that can be packed
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put back on bed – daughters' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean front entry and hallway

Day 11

1. Make sure everything not needed before move day is packed in each room
2. Place a box labeled “open first” as well as normal labeling on it in each room to fit items needed until moving day in main areas of home, leave open and in room
3. Place a box labeled “open first” as well as normal labeling on it in each room to fit items needed until moving day in your bedroom and little kids rooms or nursery, leave open and in room
4. Place as many items as you can in “open first” boxes in those rooms and just use items from there, this will allow for easier cleaning
5. Task family members to find and label enough “open first” boxes for their own bedroom and pack as much as possible in them, leaving it open and in the room
6. Make a master list of how many “open first” boxes there are for each room so you know how many to look for after all boxes are in the new home
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put back on bed – sons' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean office, toy room and extra room

Day 10

1. Order address labels and/or address stamper and have them sent to your new home
2. Give new address to as many companies and organizations as you can, including clubs, as well as friends and family with move in date
3. Print door hang tags (included with the moving binder printable pack) or a master list of color coded rooms or both and write on or place labels or duct tape on them so moving help knows which boxes go in which rooms
4. Clean under and behind all large furniture (you may need to pack a few more things that you find)
5. Task family members to clean under and behind large furniture items in their bedrooms
6. Move furniture for family members to clean behind and under
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away kitchen, bathroom and cleaning towels
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean bedrooms

Day 9

1. Check to see that food is being used up as planned, do you need any extra ingredients to use it up? If so, shop. Do you need to give any away? If so, make arrangements. Or be prepared to pack them in an “open first” box and add that box to your master list.
2. Clean the kitchen back-splashes above counters and kitchen walls
3. Empty the kitchen cupboards and drawers. Work out of “open first” boxes or off the counters from now on.
4. Wash outside of kitchen cupboards and drawers
5. Task family members to clean outside of kitchen cupboards and drawers, as well as thoroughly clean inside of them
6. Clean inside of kitchen cupboards and drawers along with family members
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away parents' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean living room and family room

Day 8

1. Clean any built-ins that stay with the home (china cabinets, shelves, padded window seats, etc.)
2. Clean kitchen counters really well
3. Clean the stove/oven, (top, front, sides, under and behind if possible too)
4. Clean the front of the dishwasher
5. Task family members to remove magnets, etc. from refrigerator and place in boxes and help with task 6
6. Clean the microwave and refrigerator (top, front, sides, inside, under and behind if possible)
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away daughters' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean dining room

Day 7

1. Take a last trip to dump and donation center
2. Remove cobwebs and wash all walls in household and your bedroom, spare room, kids' rooms
3. Clean outdoor buildings
4. Clean attic
5. Task family members to remove cobwebs and wash their bedroom walls
6. Clean garage
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away sons' clothing
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean bathrooms

Day 6

1. Clean porch, sun-room or three season room
2. Clean utility room
3. Clean laundry room
4. Clean bedrooms really well, including closet
5. Task family members to clean their own bedroom closets and bedrooms really well
6. Clean little children's bedrooms, spare room and nursery really well, including closets
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – parents' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean kitchen

Day 5

1. Clean closets in main parts of home
2. Clean hallway, stairway and under stairs
3. Clean dining room really well
4. Clean living room really well
5. Task family members to help clean living and family rooms
6. Clean family room really well
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – daughters' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean front entry and hallway

Day 4

1. Clean bathrooms really well
2. Clean front entry way really well
3. Clean hallway really well
4. Clean office really well
5. Task family members to clean, roll up, tape shut and label area rugs
6. Clean toy room really well
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, and put back on bed – sons' bed linens
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean office, toy room and extra rooms

Day 3

1. Clean any missed or extra rooms really well
2. If any rooms are cleaned and totally packed and people do not need to be in them, make them off limits to keep them clean
3. All baths and showers done for the whole family
4. Be sure you have enough moving help and moving truck is reserved
5. Task family members to help you with anything you are behind on
6. Do you have enough food and beverages for all the moving help coming? If not, add more.
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash, dry, fold and put away kitchen, bathroom and cleaning towels
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean dining room

Day 2

1. Last laundry day – Wash, dry, fold and put away parents' clothing
2. Wash, dry, fold and put away daughters' clothing
3. Wash, dry, fold and put away sons' clothing
4. Thoroughly clean utility sink, above and under it too, then thoroughly clean all other sinks in the house
5. Task family members to clean animal cages, clean and partially drain fish tanks, and prepare pets for move
6. Purchase a few surprises for small children's “to do” bags such as magic ink pads and pens, inexpensive toys to play with, books etc.
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Wash the washer and dryer, clean behind and under them if possible
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean bathrooms

Day 1

1. Pack small children's “to do” bags with items to keep them busy on moving day
2. Be sure all “open first” boxes are packed, tape up as many as possible
3. Take a walk-through of home and property, look under drawers & large appliances, nooks & crannies, pack remaining items
4. Be sure everything looks clean
5. Task family members to clean or pack anything you see left undone, encourage them to take photos, say goodbyes
6. Remove shower curtains
7. Inspect to see that task 5 was done properly
8. Clean showers and tubs really well
9. Wash, dry and put away all dishes
10. Clean the kitchen and get some sleep!

Moving Day

Moving day is so unique to all, but here are a few things I know I need to remember for our family.

1. One spouse goes early to clean the new home, if necessary.
2. That person puts doorhangers on doors and hangs up color code for rooms chart and furniture plan so movers know where to take items.
3. Be sure you have kids “to do” bags with the kids when getting in the vehicle.
4. Put pets in cages or get their leash ready, etc. Be sure they are kenneled or put in a room they can't get out of. We have lost a cat for several hours we thought would “be fine”.
5. If possible, take all “open this first” boxes to the new home first.
6. Take all food and beverages to new home and get ready to serve in new kitchen with paper-ware.
7. Get one spouse to be at the new home with small children corralled in the same room together. It is usually me and I like to block off the kitchen so I can work with the food and unpack the kitchen boxes as they are brought to me by the moving helpers. The little ones help me unpack. I have had babysitters or relatives watch very small ones as well.
8. The other spouse needs to direct bigger kids with moving boxes, furniture, etc. onto the moving trucks or relative's vehicles and goes back and forth between houses.
9. At the old house, when checking to be sure nothing has been left behind, be sure you have left manufacturer's information and warranties on items staying with the home.
10. Mark in master list of “open first” boxes as you find them to be sure you have them all for each room.
11. Test the smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector, security alarm, water, heating, electricity, phone and internet.
12. Purchase new locks for doors and replace locks.
13. After moving help has left, make pets and children feel as comfortable as possible.
14. Keep the same bedtime routine, no matter how exhausted you are.

You can get a digital, printable version for your moving planner binder of this 30 day moving plan. Then you can check everything off that is done in case you had a busy day and need to finish up that item the next day. Or, if you know you need all the kids home to pack the board games on day 18, you can write “Saturday” next to it, for example, and check it off when that is done.

I hope this list has been helpful. Let me know in the comments if there is anything you would add. 

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