Q&A for How to Move

Get your cardboard boxes ready. You will need more cardboard boxes than you think. You can get them for free from your local grocery store, find them under "free stuff" on craigslist, get them from a friend who recently moved, or just buy them if you want to save time.

Think of it as a new adventure with tons of new potential friends. Join some after-school activities to find a fun way to spend your time and maybe make some friends who share your interests. Try to be confident and get to know your teachers; that will help you make a good impression. As days go by, you'll eventually get used to your new school.

Sorting out your childhood items is a good way to start. Remove any unnecessary clutter. Old art supplies, outgrown hobbies, and toys should be either sold or donated to a local charity. Afterwards, assess the items you have left and create sections. Ask your parents for boxes and pack away. If the space is not enough, try to pack the items in different ways. Look online for space saving techniques.

Go to the US Postal Service website and fill out a change of address form to get your mail forwarded to your new address.

I wouldn't think so. It's better if you sell the unnecessary items at the yard sale first and then pack everything else from there. Why would you want to carry all that stuff you're not keeping to a new location if you're just going to get rid of it?

Try to stay calm. It will be hard, but focus on the good things. Maybe you'll have a cool new yard or your parents will let you paint/design your new bedroom. If you're changing schools, remember, it can be fun to be the new kid, you'll make new friends.

Be willing to pay for a professional moving service. You might also post an ad in the classifieds section of a newspaper, or online on Craigslist, looking for moving volunteers. Most people would want to be paid though.

Prior to the move, meet with the landlord and the moving services, to make sure everything runs smoothly.

It may be a good idea to think of selling some of your current pieces of furniture, the ones that will not fit in your new home. Throw out or sell anything you don't use anymore.

Any time would work. Just be aware of the weather and traffic conditions on the day of your move.

Check sites listing rentals in your area. When you find an available apartment in your price range, contact the property manager and fill out an application. As you have no prior rental history, you may be overlooked in favor of those with good references, or you may have to pay a higher security deposit.

You don't have to do a lot of extra things. Just make sure you get everything in your area of the house/apartment cleaned and packed up ahead of schedule. You should also take the opportunity to declutter/get rid of a few things if possible. If you want to do more, you can volunteer to help her pack up/clean other areas of the house. Offer her words of encouragement if she seems frustrated or overwhelmed, i.e. "You're doing great, mom," or, "Don't worry, we'll get everything done." Making her a cup of cocoa or a favorite snack would also be a nice gesture.

You can start introducing them to the new place before the actual move, so that gradually they may start to recognize and even enjoy living in the new space.

Start with a friendly hello. Ask them their names and age. If they start telling you stuff, then you're off to a good start. If not, you can try spicing the conversation up with funny stories!