Jana Pittman - Moving with 6 Kids!

Moving can be a daunting task for anyone, but it becomes even more challenging when you’re a mother-of-6 like Jana Pittman, even after moving more than 20 times. The former Olympian and world champion runner is used to jumping over hurdles and racing around the world, but the logistics of moving with six kids in tow has taught her some big lessons.

Alana sat down and chatted with Jana Pittman about moving house with her 6 kids plus she unpacks 10 essential moving tips!

Moving house with kids and Jana Pittman

• You have 6 kids to move and have moved 20+ times! How many moves have been with your kids?

Moving is a challenge at the best of times, let alone with half a dozen kids. I moved a lot as an athlete racing around the world at least 10 times. After I had the kids, we continued to move largely for work, rent changes or sadly after separation. My eldest son and I have moved 8 times together, then came my two girls and we moved 4 times as a family of 4, before the other 3 kidlets arrived. The 6 kids and I have subsequently moved once and are about to move again, hopefully into our forever home!

• How do you let the kids know you are moving

With Cor my eldest, it was mostly prior to his schooling, so it wasn’t such a big deal but the last two moves the kids have had to change daycare or school which is harder on them. One of my daughters thinks it’s a fantastic adventure and takes the news with excitement, starts packing her clothes and toys the same day! My other daughter is shyer, and it takes some gentleness. This move I drove her to the new house and let her be involved in the decisions and discussions about moving, and after buying the renovation plans. Making them feel part of it, gives them some control. She is now also suitcase ready!

• How has Muval helped make your day as stress-free as possible

I am a big believer in saving money elsewhere to put towards help with packing and moving. I have tried to do it myself, hire a truck and do all the heavy lifting but I was single then and it was HARD! Now with kids I couldn’t even imagine it. The chaos would be next level and the stress would be more damaging for the kids. A smooth transition keeps their excitement buzzing.

Muval helped find the most suited packer and removalist for us. No hunting around and chasing quotes!! They knew my budget and that I needed flexibility. Our last move also had several locations that were required so I wanted a fixed price rather than an hourly rate or it could become endless.

It’s still a delegation day where I am needed to show the removalists where things go, so I try to reign in a few friends (and my mum) to come entertain the kids. It means they can chip in and help but also there are lots of adult eyes watching little fingers don’t get stuck where they shouldn't be. I just think if the day is stressful and really hard it becomes something they hate, if it is smooth (ish) it can be exciting.

• Who is your biggest helper?

Our last move was 18-mths ago to our interim home and Emily my 8-year old was amazing, she insisted on staying with me the whole day, getting drinks for the movers, carrying lighter items to the truck and tapping down boxes. Cor my eldest was on little brother duty in the garden so he too was brilliant.

• How do you get them involved leading up to the move?

They each get 2-3 big Muval boxes and I give them the autonomy to pack their own things (with help of course) which is great.

We also visit the new neighbourhood lots, particularly the parks and activities, so they get excited. If they voice concern, which my shyer daughter does, I take her aside and validate her fears and we talk them through.

• …And on moving day?

Keep them involved but also with the option to tap out. On the day we have people everywhere so it’s a mix of playing and getting excited and helping. I try to let them be involved if they want to but also not get cranky if they don’t (easier said than done yes). Extra pocket money helps too!! It was my choice to move and I want them to be super excited so if it’s too much then I would prefer them to play in the garden and come back to helping when they are ready.

• Did you check out any of Muval’s online moving guides and checklists for hints and tips?

We have moved so many times I thought I knew most things, but I still found it helpful. The online guides basically cover everything you need to destress the day, particularly around planning the number of boxes you might need, labelling hacks and timeline planning. For me though the advice to pack a separate ‘moving day bag’ was fabulous. The Muval online guide suggests an essentials bag and yes it makes such a difference!! You can never get enough advice on making this day smoother!

• Any tips on how you can keep your kids entertained on moving day

This can be tough as often you have packed their toys. It is much harder if your move-out day is the same as the double settlements, as the window is tighter. If this is the case, and as much as we hate screens, this might be a movie day in-between helping. Other tips we have used is leaving the trampoline till the end and letting them turn that into a play area with their favourite teddies, board games and pillows. Ours is a ‘springfree’ so you can zip the little ones in there safely with toys and an adult watching. Keep a few spare boxes out and they can paint them during the day or colouring books. Lastly if it’s all too much, move on a week-day… then the bulk of the day the kids are in care. If your kids are not yet in care, this is the day to lean on your village.

• What tips do you have on how to get your kids settled into their new place.

We unpack at a good pace, we pick one room that we do asap so that they have somewhere to go to rest, play and settle in. Then the goal is one box each a day (including them) for the rest of it. We use our garage as a base for the boxes and just work through them. If you can afford it, getting someone to help unpack the kitchen is also very helpful.

• What’s your non-negotiable when it comes to moving house, your absolute must have

 These days I budget in advance and outsource my move. I know I am lucky to afford this but for me it’s an absolute must. I am so time-poor and want the transition to be as smooth as humanly possible so for me booking packers and movers is essential. Now that I have moved with Muval, I also love that the ‘finding’ of the movers is also outsourced as the time this saved is enormous!

• Anything else you would like to add!

Moving day is hard but it doesn’t have to be horrific. Finding the right team to move you changes the day and protects your things. Your new home then starts off with excitement and minimal chaos. Who wouldn’t want to start the next chapter more easily? We are about to move again, and I have had to make the decision between a family holiday and professional movers’ budget-wise. I know my decision is right to pick the moving team, as with good support I will have more time to enjoy the new house and a staycation is just as fun in a new place where the kids aren’t overwhelmed by the process!

“Book in advance and outsource where possible including professional packers and removalists." 

Top 10 Moving Tips with Jana Pittman

1. Show the kids the new house and encourage them to be involved in the decisions and discussions about moving.
2. Ask for help. I have tried to do it all myself, including hiring a truck and doing all the heavy lifting, but it was hard enough when I was single – it’s just not possible with kids.
3. Call in the experts, like Muval, to provide quotes and services within budget. Our last move required several locations, so I wanted a fixed price rather than an hourly rate or the budget could easily have blown out.
4. Use the village. I am usually busy showing the removalists where things go so rope in a few friends, family or whoever you can to entertain the kids. It also means there are lots of adult eyes watching and making sure little fingers don’t end up where they shouldn’t be.
5. Give the kids a couple of big moving boxes so they can pack their most treasured things and get involved with the moving process in a small way.
6. Make use of available resources like Muval’s online moving guides for tips on how to de-stress the day from planning the number of boxes you might need, labelling hacks, timelines, and a ‘moving day essentials bag’, so what you need before and after the move is handy.
7. Leave the trampoline until the very end and let the kids turn it into a play area with their favourite teddies, board games and pillows.
8. If it’s too hard to coordinate with kids, move on a weekday when they are at school or in care. It can be cheaper too.
9. Unpack one room ASAP so that the kids have somewhere to rest, play and settle in then the goal is one box each day. We use our garage as a base for the boxes. If you can afford it, get someone to help unpack the kitchen.
10. Book in advance and outsource where possible including professional packers and removalists. Now that I have moved with Muval, I know how much time and stress can be saved.

“Use the village. I am usually busy showing the removalists where things go so rope in few friends, family or whoever you can to entertain the kids.”

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