Whether you’re on your fifth or fifteenth move, you’re in good company. The average American will move about 11.4 times in their life. If you’ve moved before, you know what a big project it is. If this is your first move, you might be intimidated by the process—especially if you and your partner are working on top of it! Thankfully, you have access to a number of support systems that will make moving much easier. Here are just a few tips to help you during this time.

Get Your Kids Involved

Turn the move into a game! For younger kids, share pictures of the new city or country so they can start thinking of this as an adventure. Have them find it on a map, too. Give them small assignments such as packing their toys. If your children are older, they’ll be comfortable with more responsibilities and can help pack larger items. That doesn’t mean that they can’t have fun, too. For example, you can make packing a silly competition by seeing how fast they can assemble boxes.

You should also recognize the impact that moving has on children, no matter how old they are. Remember to spend time with family and friends along the way. Have a plan in place for maintaining those contacts. If you’re moving close by, remind your children that they’ll still be able to see their loved ones. For moves that are long distance, schedule regular Skype or Facetime dates.

Even though you and your partner may feel overwhelmed with managing work and the move, having your children become active participants in the move reduces stress for everyone.

Make a Spreadsheet

Combine your calendar and to-do list into one larger document. Use a file-sharing service so everyone can keep better track of important deadlines. Having a single calendar also means that you and your partner can maximize evenings and weekends around your work schedule. You can plan when to trade off specific days so neither of you is taking on too much at once.

Outsource!

This step is especially key as your moving date approaches since life will even busier. You can hire a sitter or see if any relatives are willing to take care of your children. That way you and your partner can really focus on the final details of the move. Research professional moving services as well. They will be able to help you ensure that all your belongings arrive safely, and also reduce physical strain.

Take the time to lay the foundation for a successful move. When you arrive at your new home, you’ll be able to settle in right away!

Contributed by Brook Chaplan