https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 19:24:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2867044 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:44:37 +0000 DillonLion 2867044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: thanks!!</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: yeah, I'm definitely going to spend a little extra to make the transition doable</p> <p>@bhbee: we've got a big relocation budget from the new company, plus he's going to start working for them right away with his new higher salary, so that will all help. Good idea to start getting plugged into the new city so we can get all our new docs/schools/whatnot set up</p> <p>@Anagram: We're going to rent first as well. Interesting idea to make the cheapest move possible and save the rest for new things! Ours is a reimbursement type thing, so I think the expenses have to qualify. I'm waiting on a list of what they will allow.</p> <p>@catgirl: I think we will go the full service packing/moving route as well. We are going to Chicago (from Dallas)</p> <p>@lamariniere: we are going to drive him up the weekend before he starts and go back Spring Break at least for sure. We'll see if we can squeeze in some other trips (either him coming to us, or us going to him) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866402 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 11:40:21 +0000 JMOM 2866402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: We did this but DH came home weekends so he could help with packing. We also had professional movers and they were great (although they cracked all of our light shades). One tip I have is to check with the movers about items that they won't handle. Ours wouldn't handle liquids so we had to figure out how to get rid of cleaning supplies, oil, antifreeze, etc. before we left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866388 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 10:48:16 +0000 DillonLion 2866388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all of the tips and support! The offer includes a large relocation reimbursement package and I plan to hire full service movers that will pack us. </p> <p>I've got a cleaning service already and have groceries delivered each week, so I will plan to keep with those, and do my best otherwise! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866371 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:38:38 +0000 mediagirl 2866371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: I don' t have experience with this but I wanted to pop in to say congratulations!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866319 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 19:02:41 +0000 lamariniere 2866319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven’t personally done this, but I know a lot of people who have. It’s good that you have family nearby to help with childcare, but I would Not hesitate to help (babysitter, house cleaner, etc.) when you need it. I would also try to visit your DH in the new location with your child at least once, maybe over a long weekend or spring break?</p> <p>Also, like @Anagram: mentioned, see if there is a relocation bonus. For our last 3 moves (all international) we’ve been give a relocation bonus, the physical move was separate from the bonus and paid by the company (packing, shipping, and unpacking), and all plane tickets were covered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866317 Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:39:28 +0000 Mrsbells 2866317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: a couple years ago we did something similar DH moved 3 months before the rest of us. I was pregnant at the time also.It was stressful but we made it. I relied on my parents a lot and he came home to help pack every few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866210 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:12:43 +0000 catgirl 2866210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Last year DH got a new position with his company so that we could move to our home state near our family. It was only about three hours away but he moved four months before we did. He was also house hunting for us in a crazy market. He came to see us a few times and we went to stay with family once a month. None of our family members had room for us to all stay for an extended time - so DH stayed with his mom and stepdad for four months, while DD and I stayed at my mom and stepdad's when we came up. </p> <p>I would batch cook meals - I made one meal for my lunches each week and ate that every day. I made two dinners per week that DD and I would have on alternating nights. For her lunches I just stuck with super easy and quick. </p> <p>We hired movers who also packed for us. That was the best choice ever. While I packed some things prior to the move it felt impossible to pack solo with a three year old. They did our whole place in one day. </p> <p>Amazon was my friend. It was easier to not drag DD on a lot of errands so I tried to order as much as possible. </p> <p>I let some chores go, which is hard for me. I stayed on top of as much as possible but when DD's bedtime came around I let myself relax. I'd say that will be a big thing for you - make sure you take care of yourself! </p> <p>Good luck! It will be hard but you can do it and it sounds like it will be worth it in the end! Where are you headed? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866207 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 20:02:31 +0000 Anagram 2866207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: I did a similar move, but before I had kids and I wasn’t pregnant! So it was easier than your situation. We moved from Dallas to NYC area and I was also teaching and had to finish out my school year while DH moved first. </p> <p>Since we didn’t have kids, it was a more “fly by the seat of our pants” situation, but I don’t think I would be able to do that with kids. </p> <p>DH got a relocation bonus thing, a 10k cash payment. So we actually sold all our furniture except the things we couldn’t live without, and DH rented the smallest Uhaul and drove it himself and paid a guy from Craigslist $100 to help him unload and we kept all the cash to buy new furnishings in our new place. We rented our first year, so DH went ahead and saw a few places and FaceTimes me and we agreed on a rental apartment together. </p> <p>I moved about about 5 weeks later with just 2 checked suitcases on a flight, nothing else (i’d Sent some important stuff, like our China and kitchenware in the Uhaul with my husband before). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866205 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:59:17 +0000 Kaohinani 2866205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did this! My DH moved to HI (active duty Army at the time) and I was teaching SPED in CT (while finishing my Ed.D). I was EXHAUSTED the entire 9 mos and I wasn't even pregnant (* please note that wasn't meant to make you feel bad ... I have 3 AI disorders). My daughter was 3 at the time. We spent 9 mos apart while I completed the school year with my students. My mother watched DD while I taught upper elementary SPED. He went ahead and selected housing and worked and I sent items to him (UPS, FEDEX) for immediate use. Also, he was alotted to return for our move (as it was off of the mainland) but had to return his to command immediately after our arrival on-island. While the details may differ, activies during the duration may be the same as you may incur. If you would like to, feel free to wall me as I don't wish to monopolize the board with the the details. Good luck! :heart: :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866197 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 18:22:41 +0000 bhbee 2866197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved cross country when I was 1st tri pregnant with #2, but dh only went ahead a few weeks. I did have a friend who did more what you are doing. If you’re still negotiating the offer I would definitely push for an awesome relo package and/or signing bonus. Money goes a long way toward helping. I think the biggest thing is to give yourself grace. Accept help, plan for things to go slowly, don’t worry if your LO eats too many chicken nuggets for a while. We had the movers pack which was really helpful if you can swing it. They unpacked just a couple rooms since that worked best for us. If you can get family to come when you move or leave LO behind for a while - that will help but still plan to unpack/settle in in steps and not overdo it. I was so sick when we moved I just had to take my time. Also once your DH moves I would try to get some connections in your new place (actual people or local moms fb group or whatever) so that you can work on figuring out things you need before you get there (school, OB, new doctors, things to keep 6yo busy over summer, etc). It’s super exciting and overwhelming all at once! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866196 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 17:52:56 +0000 Mommy Finger 2866196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What an exciting time! I haven't experienced it myself in my adult life but this happened to my family a few times growing up. My dad lived in a different state for a year while we stayed behind so that my brother could finish HS. He came home on the weekends. That doesn't really help you much as we were a bit older but we just all figured it out. That's great that you have local family! My suggestion is to lean on them as much as you are comfortable and outsource what you can so that you stay sane! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866195 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 17:40:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2866195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DillonLion: congrats on the pregnancy and to DH for his job! I would keep in mind the extra money from the offer can go a long way to helping you cope- cleaners, babysitting, movers... good luck- that would be really hard, but you can do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-staggered-cross-country-move#post-2866194 Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:53:44 +0000 DillonLion 2866194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH got an insane job offer today. Taking the job means a cross country move for us. They want him there and working next month, so he's planning to go up within the next few weeks. He'll do corporate housing for a bit and then we'll rent for a year once we all get up there. </p> <p>I'm a teacher and our DD is in kindergarten, so the plan is for she and I to finish out our respective school years and join him in May. </p> <p>Also, I'm 9 weeks pregnant!</p> <p>I know we can make it all work, but have any of you dealt with a move where one of you went ahead and the other stayed behind. I am freaked out about balancing a house, 6 year old, a pregnancy, and a full time job (teaching and coaching - I work an insane amount of hours) alone for 4 months. My parents are local so they will help out a bunch, I'm sure. But do you have any tips for managing without DH and/or making a cross country move while pregnant?! </p>