We’re excited to announce our partnership with BabyQuip! BabyQuip makes travel with young children easier by matching parents and nannies with a network of certified Quality Providers to rent baby gear from. Rent items that are clean, safe, and insured.

BabyQuip is the #1 Baby Gear Rental Service. With over 1,000+ locations worldwide, 1,500+ quality providers, and a 94 net promoter score. Choose from 50,000+ items to rent from and more!

How Does it Work?

Airport Deliveries

Ready to hit the ground running as soon as your plane lands? Have a car seat, stroller, or other baby gear delivered to you right at the airport.

Just like if a friend or a ��ݮ����Ƶapp member were meeting you at the airport, your local Quality Provider will ask for your trip details ahead of time and monitor your flight status. Simply call or text your QP once you’ve landed and follow their instructions on where to meet!

Due to logistics and potential delays, some Quality Providers charge an additional fee for airport deliveries.

Hotels, Resorts, or Vacation Rental Properties

Whether you’re staying at a cozy Airbnb or a popular resort, BabyQuip delivers gear to all types of vacation accommodations.

BabyQuip Quality Providers can often coordinate with your vacation rental host or hotel concierge to have your gear ready and waiting for you before you even arrive. Another option is to have your gear delivered to you once you’ve settled in.

Just let your Quality Provider know what works best for you!

Family Residences

If you’re hosting ��ݮ����Ƶapp from out of town or traveling to visit a loved one, BabyQuip Quality Providers are happy to deliver and set up your gear ahead of time so you can focus on the fun.

Coordinating delivery with local ��ݮ����Ƶapp members prior to your arrival is perfect for grandparents who need a car seat in order to pick up their grandchild from the airport or want to have a cozy crib ready for naptime after a long road trip.

Chat with your QP to arrange delivery details!

Self-Pickup & Self-Return

You can arrange to pick up your rental gear yourself and return it when your reservation ends. When choosing a QP, make sure to select one that offers self-pickup and self-return. You will see their approximate address before booking and the exact address will be sent to you in an email after the reservation is confirmed. Same-day reservations are not guaranteed. Be sure to reach out to your Quality Provider to confirm availability.

Please note that full-size folding cribs do not fit in all vehicles. Your QP can help answer any questions you have.

By MYMOVE

Even though moving is often an exciting time, the transition can be a considerable challenge. From choosing the right  to buying a new home and finding the right neighborhood, moving is stressful enough as it is. Adding kids into the mix can present even more challenges.

The thought of saying goodbye to friends, leaving your home for a new one, and being the ‘new kid’ can be overwhelming for children. And the stress your child might experience can make the moving process as a parent even more difficult.

But with the right approach, moving doesn’t have to be a negative experience for your kids. Here are some tips that will help make moving with kids a little smoother.

How relocation affects your kids

Change as a result of moving can be hard on everyone, but studies show it’s particularly difficult for young teens.

One study found that moving schools when you’re 12-14 years old significantly increase the chance of substance abuse and violent behavior — even controlling for income and psychiatric history.

This is mostly because kids in this age group are already dealing with significant changes. So, the added stress of upheaval in their social lives can be a lot to handle. If your kids are around this age, pay close attention to how they’re coping with the move.

Research shows that kids under 8 showed a minimal increase in risk for negative behaviors. But they still need help with the significant changes that a move brings — it will just look a little different.

Here are tips on how to help your kids transition during the moving process, which will — in turn — move easier on yourself, too.

How to prepare your kids for the move

Learning that they’re going to move is often hard news for kids because they don’t have control over the change. So, one of the keys to helping your kids through the transition is helping them feel like they have a sense of control.

According to the framework for behavioral change by , that can — and should — start before the move occurs.

The time before a change happens falls into what’s known as the “pre-contemplation stage.” This is the time when a person is resistant to change, but is aware that it needs to happen. And according to Prochaska, giving the child a reason to embrace the change or instilling the proper motivation to make the transition is key.

With your kids during a move, that often means helping them see the change in a positive light. Here are 10 tips for helping them do so:

Keep in mind that every kid is different, so finding what helps your child with the transition is crucial. That’s why regularly talking about the move is so important — it enables you to stay close to what they’re struggling with, so you can help.

Moving by the ages

The upheaval of a ��ݮ����Ƶapp move affects everyone regardless of age. Each person in your ��ݮ����Ƶapp will need your support in different ways, too. 

Babies and toddlers

You’ll definitely have your hands full if you’re moving your home while having a baby or a toddler in tow. 

This can be a scary time for them too because everything they’ve ever known is being changed. Make time for hugs and reassurance, making the reason you’re moving very simple, and keep their favorite things nearby: toys, books, food, and clothes. Try to keep your routines intact as much as possible for mornings, bedtimes, meals, etc.

Preschoolers

This is the age of the question … so many questions! Embrace that and let your preschooler know why you’re moving, where to, and that their room will be the first you set up (and keep that promise), let them help as much as possible, but also let them play and safely explore their new surroundings. 

Parents magazine  to help your preschoolers get comfortable with their new normal.  

School-age kids

From K-12, this is the age span for honest and straightforward talk about the move, put into terms each age group can understand, of course. The theme remains the same of providing affection, reassurance, and help with their transition. 

For teens, make sure they have activities they love to keep them engaged. At this age, friendships are critical, so it’s up to you to facilitate ways that they can keep in touch with those friends they are leaving behind. This can be through email, video chats, meeting up if you haven’t moved too far away and more. 

School will be the hardest adjustment for kids of any age. They’ve most likely left their friends and they’ve definitely left their comfort zone. Work with their new school for ways to help them make friends and get involved in school events. Visit the school together to tour the grounds and meet staff and students, if possible. 

The biggest takeaway a parent of a school-age child can have during all stages of the move is to listen to your child – what they say as much as what they aren’t saying to you. Ask leading questions with examples that require more than a yes or no answer. “Hey, what are you worried about with your school? Friends, clothes, food, the bus ride …?” 

The biggest takeaway a parent of a school-age child can have during all stages of the move is to listen to your child – what they say as much as what they aren’t saying to you. Ask leading questions with examples that require more than a yes or no answer. “Hey, what are you worried about with your school? Friends, clothes, food, the bus ride …?” 

Activity book for kids

Download  to keep your children engaged and busy.

Involve your child in the move from the beginning

Depending on their age, of course, it’s smart to keep your kids in the loop about your moving plans, so nothing comes as a surprise and they have time to mentally and physically prepare for it. 

“One of the things that troubles kids most during the move is that they don’t have any control over their environment,” says Jacey Eckhart, a military sociologist who is the Director of Spouse and Family Programs at .

Consider taking your child with you when visiting a prospective apartment complex or any new homes you are interested in purchasing or renting. If they can’t join you, take videos or photos and share those with them later, asking their opinions on which place they like better and why. 

Help them feel empowered by asking them their opinion on the place, which room would make a good bedroom for them, if there is enough outdoor space for their favorite sports or hobbies, etc. 

How to help your child during the move

Your kids will typically feel one of two things on Moving Day — either they’ll be excited about being part of the process, or they’ll be sad to see their things removed from their home.

If you’ve prepared them ahead of time, they will hopefully be in the first camp. In this case, giving them special tasks to accomplish, like making sure the movers have water or even putting them in charge of knowing where all the most important things are packed can go a long way to further a child’s sense of control over the situation.

 that you can print and use to get them involved (and out of the way of the movers, at the same time):

Packing tips when moving with kids 

Most kids can and will want to help with the actual process of moving. The boxes and tape will provide endless hours of fun for the smaller set, but your older children can handle the packing of their rooms and special items, with a bit of guidance from you. 

It’s important they feel that they have some form of control over what is happening in their life right then. Give them a list of what to pack together, and help them create a “first-night” box so they can easily get to pajamas, their toothbrush, pillows, blankets, a favorite sleeping buddy, etc. 

For the younger kids, take the time to let them just play – boxes can be fuel for the imagination! Let them build forts or give them blankets, flashlights, and snacks to set up a “clubhouse” where they can retreat if things overstimulate them. 

If you have multiple children, create a color-code system for their boxes and rooms, so there isn’t a lot of fighting over whose box has what inside it. 

Here are a few additional tips to make Moving Day less stressful for everyone, even if you’re worried your kids won’t be excited about the process:

How to help your child feel stable after the move

When things are fresh, new, and unknown, anything you can do to help your kids find stability and familiarity in their new surroundings is key.

Something as simple as getting their room put together right away can go a long way to building a feeling of home and normalcy. Here are a few additional tips that will help you create that sense of stability in an unfamiliar location:

Many teachers say it takes children  six weeks to adjust to their new class at school fully, so it will likely take the same to adjust to your new home as well. But keep in mind that some kids may take longer than others, depending on their personality.

Talk to your kids regularly about how they’re feeling, so you can be on top of any challenges they are facing (this is especially important with teens). Communication is key!

Helping your child cope with change 

Just like adults, children can have pretty diverse reactions to big changes. Moving is an important time for children to be heard. You need to know their  about this move so you can help them through it. Help them gain control over their feelings with some fun exercises from while you move: 

• Have your children draw a picture of their new room and the new house.
• Let your child pack and label a box of their favorite things that they can access quickly at the new place.
• Set up your child’s bedroom first so they will be surrounded by familiar things.
• Give your child a camera and have them document the move. Once you arrive and are settled in, make time together to create a ��ݮ����Ƶapp photo album or scrapbook.
• Read children’s books about moving.
• Read about more  from Bright Horizons.

Moving with children with limitations

With the stress and thousands of details involved with moving, it’s good to stop for a minute and consider your child’s limitations during this life change. 

If they use a wheelchair, keep accessibility in mind when looking at multi-unit dwellings like apartments and condos, as well as a home’s hallway space, stairs vs. elevators, and more. 

If you are moving a long distance, prepare your route ahead of time to give your child adequate breaks from the long haul on the road. This includes staying the night in hotels or pre-arranging a stay with friends or ��ݮ����Ƶapp. You’ll want to make sure you have access to everything your child needs wherever you land for a break.

Moving with children with  can bring another level of challenge to the transition. Moving itself is messy and your carefully planned schedules and structures will be going away until you get settled in your new place, so expect hitches like meltdowns from your kids. You can prepare for those by having easy access to things that comfort them and are familiar. Make sure to keep a “safe” place available – a quiet room or space they can decompress in.

What to do if you’re moving out of state with kids

Moving out of state creates an entirely new set of challenges if you have kids. There’s often a long drive or flight to your new home, and it’s very difficult (or unrealistic) to visit ahead of time to show your kids their new surroundings.

However, technology offers a solution. You can use Google Maps and Streetview to show your kids where they’ll be living. This will help them visualize their new home, relieving some of the stress that comes with the “unknown.”

Additionally, if you’ll be driving, you can also turn the road trip into an exciting adventure. Prepare road trip games ahead of time and tell your kids about all the cool things they’re going to get to see along the way.

More resources to make moving with kids easier

MYMOVE is here to help make moving easier. We’re an authorized affiliate of the USPS® that connects more than five million movers per year to exclusive savings and valuable resources before, during, and after their move.

It’s safe to say that  the world has changed in ways that no one could have anticipated . As we’re all continuously adjusting and adapting, it might seem as though traveling should be the last thing on our minds, especially as a ��ݮ����Ƶapp. But travel is opening up slowly but surely and it’s a great time to start planning.

Maybe you’re familiar with the expression, “You only have 18 summers with your child”. When our children are young, it can sometimes seem like we have all the time in the world to spend with them, but at some point, we begin to realize how fast the time really does fly by. At some point, “waiting until the kids are older so that they can appreciate it” turns into “we’d better do that soon or they’ll be off on their own”!

But is it worth the time and expense of planning extraordinary ��ݮ����Ƶapp adventures when kids are young? Yes! Taking a ��ݮ����Ƶapp vacation together helps families get out of their routines and helps them focus on making memories, and genuinely appreciating the (relatively brief) amount of time that they have together (and less screen time is a huge bonus!). 

One experience now can become a treasured ��ݮ����Ƶapp story for years to come. Helping to care for an elephant, taking a chocolate-making class in Paris, or zip-lining through a tropical rainforest are things that you’ll be able to look back on forever. It’s amazing how many great dinner table conversations start with, “Remember when we…” Those shared moments bring families together.

Family travel isn’t just for a good time. Exposing kids to different cultures, experiences, and locations can be valuable parts of their education. Culture doesn’t just encompass history and works of art, after all (although those are certainly important aspects!)– it can be as subtle as a new way of looking at things or an appreciation for the differences among groups of people or languages. And it doesn’t have to be far flung trips. Taking small trips within a few hours of your house or going to your favorite all-inclusive that caters to kids on a non-stop flight are all great options.

I’ve talked about some of the benefits of traveling as a ��ݮ����Ƶapp(both within the United States and abroad)but what are some ways to help ensure every member of the ��ݮ����Ƶapp has a great time? It all starts with planning. Here are some of my top tips that I share with my clients as I am designing their trips:

1. Don’t assume that just because your children are young that they cannot travel the world. There are countless ways to incorporate even exotic locations in ��ݮ����Ƶapp travel. From safari camps that cater to children to resorts that include engaging kids’ clubs, and some that even have baby gear included. The more your little-ones travel, the easier it becomes (for you and for them).
2. Start small and work your way up. Globetrotting with a three-year-old is possible but not necessarily recommended for your first trip. Understanding how your children react and adjust to new situations is critical before adding some jet lag.
3. Remember that the dynamics of your ��ݮ����Ƶapp will travel with you. We often get caught up in the romantic side of travel. We envision every ��ݮ����Ƶapp member is always smiling and laughing (and not having a tantrum or fighting with their siblings) and forget that our ��ݮ����Ƶapp idiosyncrasies will still be there in other locations.

Make a plan in advance for meltdowns, naptimes, and entertainment when they get bored. Prepare kids for what to expect from both the destination and the activities – perhaps even bringing some favorite snacks from home for some normalcy. The less stress you have, the better time the kids will have.

• Include everyone in the planning. Ask your kids what they would like to do or see, or use their hobbies and interests as a jumping-off point for discoveries. In my experience, when kids have a role to play in the creation of travel plans, it creates excitement and a “buy-in” to trying new things. Do they love trains? Animals? Harry Potter? Marine life? Try to work those interests into the itinerary.
• Slow it down. Children (and even grandparents, too, if a multi-generational trip) need downtime built into the day. Structure your day so that there is time to swim in the pool, play at a local playground, or scout out the best gelato and enjoy it under a shady tree. You may not check off every site on your list, but remember, that might not be your goal when traveling with your ��ݮ����Ƶapp. Physical activity and rest are important ingredients to a great travel experience.
• Create experiences that are immersive and interesting for the whole ��ݮ����Ƶapp. Get hands-on in a cooking class geared for kids, or opt for a scavenger hunt through the Louvre instead of walking the halls with an audio guide. If sustainability is important to you as a ��ݮ����Ƶapp, give back to the community you are visiting by helping out.
• Speaking of the Louvre, avoid lines. Getting passes in advance for locations that are sure to be packed or having a restaurant reservation for a popular restaurant makes everyone happier—the less waiting, the better. The caveat to this tip, however, is to not over plan. Leave some room for spontaneity too.
• Hire professional private guides. This may make the biggest (positive) difference in the entire trip. Using a professional that is accustomed to working with children and families will allow you to go at your own pace, ask as many questions as they want, and have a tour customized to precisely what you wish to do in both timing and subject matter.

Local professional guides know the best tricks for beating the crowds, often have priority access for behind the scenes, know the hidden gems for dining and unique places off the tourist track. In our current health situation and as travel returns, using a private guide also allows you to be further away from big crowds. Along with having drivers for tours, reserve private transportation to other components of your trip to alleviate stress.  Almost every good company will have car seats and boosters for their younger passengers.

• Include your accommodations as part of the experience. The accommodations that you choose can make or break your vacation.  Having ��ݮ����Ƶapp suites or connecting rooms is just the beginning. Many hotels and resorts offer special amenities to their youngest guests, from coloring books, milk and cookies, and spa robes in the room to curated kid menus for picky eaters and on-property activities. And if space and privacy are on your must-have list, villas are a fantastic way to experience a destination – and childcare and private chefs can easily be arranged.
• Hire a professional travel advisor (of course!). Professional travel advisors know the ins and outs of creating a trip to suit every ��ݮ����Ƶapp member, the best guides and accommodations that specialize in ��ݮ����Ƶapp travel all over the world, and help take all the stress out of the planning and booking process so that you don’t need to worry about the logistics.

We also have plenty of suggestions to enhance your stay, as well. For instance, hiring a professional photographer is a great way to capture the memories of your ��ݮ����Ƶapp enjoying the location you are visiting. Now more than ever, having a professional to advise and update you on the continual changes in regulations and requirements is something I highly recommend.

So when the time is right, give us a call, get out there with your small citizens of the world, and make some memories!