PCS: Ten Tips

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Through the many emotions that moving brings, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Wether it’s your first time, or your third, there’s many things on your to do list.

A little bit of experience has taught us the do's & don'ts for making it through a military move. Want to learn from our experience? Here's 10 tips on simple mistakes to avoid.

1. Don't forget to take pictures before, during, and after the PCS.

For practical purposes, you need to take pictures of your valuable items before the movers pack them up. But don't pack up that camera just because the movers arrive. Snap fun photos of your house and your family throughout the process of packing. As they say, you’ll only regret the pictures you didn’t take.

2. When traveling with children, don't forget to have at the ready

baby wipes, antibacterial gel, a change of clothes for everyone in the family (yes, that includes you), reading material, food, drinks (but not too many drinks unless you like public restrooms), toys and gadgets, a cell phone charger, a sense of humor, a whole lot of patience, and possibly a set of earplugs.

3. Research your new area ahead of time

You don’t want to walk in blind to the new place you’ll be calling home. Having some sort of familiarity with your surroundings will help you feel more settled and excited for your move. Look up things like local restaurants, map out the way to your kids’ new school, and pick some new parks/landmarks you’d like to check out once you get all moved in.

4. Don't decline offers to help

Whether friends offer their babysitting services, a hot lunch, a place to crash, an air mattress or a stiff drink, take it! Consider planning a play date at the neighbor’s on moving day for your kids. Moving day is not the day to prove you’re multitasking skills. This will help make things so much smoother for you and your family.

5. Don't expect that your shipments will arrive on the estimated arrival date you were given

It is very likely that your things won’t arrive on time. Don’t panic or worry, it really does happen to everyone. Prepare your family for hotel stays, picnics on the floor, and sitting on hold with the personal property office. To avoid frustration, I advise an “it is what it is” attitude and to try to make the best of it!

6. If there’s things you don’t want packed, Don’t leave it laying around the house

If you don't want your underwear packed, hide it in your suitcase— the movers won’t know better and will make quick assumptions in order to get you packed up in a timely manner. If you don't want the diapers packed, put them in your car. If you leave a baby bottle sitting out, chances are it will get packed up and long gone before you notice.

Make sure all garbage is at the curb. If you leave trash in the trash can, there will still be trash in the trash can when it arrives at your new home.

Can't find a place to hide stuff? Many people like to use Post-It notes with big X's or clearly state '“DO NOT PACK”.

Quick tip, if you’re in a country with foreign movers, try using the X on the Post-It note (Bonus points if it’s red) as a universal way to let them know these are items you do not want packed.

7. Say your goodbyes prior to departure day

Say "goodbye" and shed your tears in the time leading up to moving day. Use the weeks leading up to the move to have discussions with your kids about it so that they anticipate the move and can make time to say goodbye to everyone in their lives.

This will help you make a clean getaway on departure day. You can't make a fresh start and it’s hard to let yourself get excited for this new adventure with mascara dripping down your face. It will also help alleviate the pressure of seeing everyone to say goodbye at the last minute.

8. Know that your spouse may not be there to help

Whether they miss the pack-out or the pack-in or the travel in between, you should prepare yourself to deal with any and all portions of the PCS by yourself. Don’t procrastinate and be sure to plan ahead for all the details of your move. Have your support system ready to help where you need it. There’s a great sense of community within military spouses, you’re all “in the same boat” and it is very likely you’ll have people ready to help you out whether you have a big or small support system.

9. Don't be too hard on yourself

This is a very stressful and exhausting time, especially if it’s one of the first times you’re experiencing it. Things will likely not go completely as planned, there will be hiccups and you will have to just roll with the punches. Life goes on and you’ll get through it. It’s important to not get too caught up in all the little things and to anticipate them in advance.

And, most importantly ...

10. Don't panic!

I promise you'll reach your destination in one piece, even if your fine China doesn’t.

sources 

https://www.military.com