Moving is stressful for any family. For military families, however, they face that stress almost every three years on average which means they’re constantly adapting to new neighbors, friends, schools and communities. While a challenge, it also makes them (and their kids) among the best experts on what it takes to manage a move.
Lowe’s supports military families year-round through its trademark 10 percent discount – every day, guaranteed – to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their spouses, saving them more than $1 billion annually, as well as partnering with the USO, AMVETS, Building Homes for Heroes, Operation FINALLY HOME and Purple Heart Homes for safe, affordable housing and workforce development.
This month, in honor of Military Appreciation Month and as hundreds of thousands of military families start the prime moving season (known to them as Permanent Change of Station or PCS), Lowe’s has enlisted some special help from three military families to help make those moves a little less stressful.
No matter how many times you move, you're always home when you take what matters with you - and nobody knows that better than military moms Shakira Patterson, Jamie Ericksen and Christy Keane. From leveraging Lowe’s discount and tricks in packing to fun family activities, the military moms worked with their kids to help map out 13 top tips.
Christy Keane is a Navy daughter turned Navy Veteran and mother who has made her fair share of moves. She’s navigating motherhood while raising a child who is deaf and is a vocal advocate in the hearing community.
1. “Take advantage of Lowe’s amazing military discount! Lowe’s offers a 10 percent every day discount for service members and their spouses to help relieve financial stress during such a busy move!”
2. “Declutter and organize! As overwhelming as the preparation for a new duty station is, take advantage of the unique opportunity to declutter, donate, and work on organization you have put off.”
3. “You need a labeling system. From garage sale stickers to duct tape or crayons, your mover’s life will be easier if there’s an easy way to figure out what goes where.”
4. “Hang pictures everywhere! Pictures are one thing that immediately bring feelings and a personal touch to a home (not to mention how important it is to see your service member’s face and memories while they are away).”
5. “Most importantly, take a breath, find something to look forward to in your new location, and remind yourself it’s the love and strength WITHIN the walls that make a home.”
Shakira Patterson is a mother of three and proud military spouse. Shakira’s children offer moving tips as their family gears up for a cross-country PCS move to California this June.
6. “Always bring along a few of your stuffed animals (we call them cuddles) or a Daddy doll. They will make any room your home.”
7. “Have a family movie night! We like to do ours outside with a tent and lots of snacks.”
8. “Plant a garden together at the new house and watch it grow.”
9. “Introduce yourself to the neighbors to make friends fast.”
Jamie Ericksen is an Air Force spouse and mother of three. Her daughters offer tips from their new home overseas in Europe.
10. “Remember when you move, you never lose love or family.”
11. “Go out in nature to play with your dad or do fun activities while your other parent does a lot of moving work.”
12. “When I move I have to pack my stuffies (stuffed animals) because I’d be really sad if I lose them. But the one thing that really makes it feel like home is family and love.”
13. “Bring pillows! I cannot live without my own pillows from my old house.”
