Considering that moving is ranked as one of the second most stressful events in our lives (and Americans move an average of 11 times in their life), there are a lot of preemptive measures people can take to ease the transition. These steps are particularly useful when children are involved, because moving (which can have a social, emotional, and academic impact on children) has been linked to long term problems in the development of the child or adolescent psyche.

As such, here are three steps that may help you and your family transition into your new home.

1. Be organized and do your due diligence.

As you consider relocation costs and relocation expenses, be sure to research the best relocation companies online (whether you are embarking on an employee relocation or any other reason). Many of the best relocation companies have cost of living calculators on their websites to help you budget the move and also to budget for your new lifestyle (if you are moving from Boise to New York City, your expenses are going to change drastically).

In addition to researching costs and the top relocation companies, start drafting a checklist of everything you will need to accomplish before the big day. Having everything spelled out for you will certainly compartmentalize what you need to do first, second, and so forth.

2. Set small, attainable goals.

As you prepare your relocation checklist of things to do, consider that even the most insurmountable tasks are very doable if broken up into small steps. For example, a month before your move, set aside one hour (or two) each day to pack two or three boxes or cartons. Start with the things you do not need or use everyday (e.g., books, photo albums), and work your way toward the more necessary items as your move date gets closer.

3. Label and pack with care.

There is nothing worse than getting to your new home and not remembering which box houses all of your dishware. As such, label your packages like crazy. This is especially helpful when using the best relocation companies because even if you are supervising the move, there is no guarantee that all of the bedroom boxes, kitchen boxes, etc. will stay together. Keep in mind that when packing fragile items or valuable electronics, it also helps to have the users manual handy. If you no longer have the manual, you can probably request a copy from the manufacturer website.

Any glaring tips that I left out of this article? If I missed something important, please feel free to share your comments below! More information like this.