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Tips for Moving a Parent

When you’re helping a parent move to a new home in Wichita, you’re quickly realize it’s not the same as moving yourself. Of course, some of the process will be the same — reviewing moving companies in Wichita, Kansas, is still a good place to start — but you’re also likely to face unique challenges.

For example, if your parent is moving to a smaller home, rightsizing might be in order. As a Wichita, KS, moving company, we know sorting through items and deciding what to keep or discard isn’t necessarily easy to begin with, and for a parent who’s lived in the same home for decades, the process could be quite emotional. It’s times like these when advice from professional movers like Rightsize Moving Solutions can go a long way.

Rightsizing Your Parent’s Items

What some movers in Wichita, KS, call downsizing, we refer to as “rightsizing.” To rightsize your parent’s home, start by identifying your most essential possessions and work out from there. Eventually, the goal is to sell off, donate, or put into storage all the superfluous items in your home. Decluttering your home also enables you to move more freely and helps you stay organized.

But rightsizing isn’t always easy, and for people who’re very attached to their possessions, like a parent with family heirlooms and decades of memories invested into things might be, the process could stir up emotions. By offering support and being respectful, you can help your parent not only rightsize but to thrive because of it.

Offer Emotional Support

An item that sat in the bottom of a cardboard box in your parent’s attic for the last 30 years might seem unimportant to you, but when your parent sees it again after all that time, that item might suddenly take on all the significance in the world. Especially for a parent who is moving and downsizing after losing a spouse, any possession related to that significant other might be hard to let go. When trying to rightsize items that have emotional weight for your parent, following a few tips can help.

Upon encountering an item with an emotional attachment, it can help to pause and share in the memory together. Sometimes a few minutes of reflection with an item can help a parent cope with letting go of the object. You might also find it helpful to remind your parent about the benefits of selling or donating an item and how that item will continue to be appreciated by someone else. In some cases, the best way to handle downsizing is by hiring a professional, such as a moving company for seniors, to offer objective guidance.

Packing & Moving Tips

Once you’ve completed rightsizing with your parent, the next phase is the actual packing and moving of the remaining items. It’s important to stay organized. Labeling your boxes or using a color-coded system can help you unload and unpack more quickly. Also, take pictures of the way furniture is put together before you disassemble it and keep all the hardware in labeled plastic bags.

While packing, save space by using existing suitcases, containers, or boxes before resorting to moving boxes. And whether you use a moving truck or another vehicle, it’s a good idea to load the most important boxes last so you’ll be able to unload them first. Similarly, packing an overnight bag with essentials like toiletries, clothes, and food can help make the first day in the new home more comfortable.

Choosing Moving Services in Wichita, KS

There are many Wichita movers, but whether you’re moving a parent or trying to downsize their home, it’s best to hire a company with the expertise you’ll need. At Rightsize Moving Solutions, we help people across the greater Wichita area with organizing, packing, and loading and unloading. Contact us before your next move and let us make moving easier, more organized, and an overall better process.