Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move
Moving to a new home is an joyful experience, especially if you have children and furry friends to share in the anticipation! Your kids and animal companions are creatures of habit and ensuring a effortless transition should be your top priority during your move process. Long distance movers will advise you the same thing: preparation is crucial. The more organized you are in the beginning of your move, the better adjusted and content your kids and pets will be. Before your local movers start loading up, take a moment to design a strategy that will suit everyone's needs, and keep the whole family satisfied during your upcoming transition!
Kids
1. Involve Your Children in the Process
One great way to the best ways to help your kids feel more comfortable with the move is to get them in the process. Let them assist in packing, or give them the responsibility of packing their own things. You can also involve them in the preparation process by letting them choose the color scheme for their new bedrooms or decide on the design of their new spaces. This will empower them of the situation and help them get excited about the move.
2. Keep a Familiar Routine
One of the greatest challenges of moving with kids is maintaining a sense of normalcy. To help your kids feel more at ease, attempt to keep a regular routine as much as you can. For example, you can still read a bedtime story, watch their favorite film, or have a meal together every night. Keeping a familiar routine will help your kids feel more comfortable and less worried about the move.
3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids
Packing a "moving kit" for your little ones can also help with the move. This kit should include toys, reading materials, and games, as well as a change of clothes and personal care items. Preparing a moving kit can provide comfort and security. If the long distance movers need a few days to get to your destination, this kit can also give them entertainment while travelling to your new home! If your local movers are are just headed around the corner, this kit can keep kiddos busy while the truck is being packed up or unloaded into your new home.
4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood
Before you move, take your kids on a tour of your new community. This can help them adjust to the new area and make the transition easier. You can also research fun activities and places to visit in your new town, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more excited about the move. Get your kids to put together a calendar to plan out some fun activities to serve as a recess during the move planning process.
5. Talk About What to Expect
Having a conversation your kids through the steps of the move can help them feel less anxious about the process. Before your long distance movers arrive, describe to your kids what they’ll see. They’ll see their toys being carried onto a big truck, but it’s just temporary. Watch videos explaining how movers pack and unload the trucks, so kids will know where their stuff is going, and when they will them back.
6. Seek Outside Help
Finally, if your little ones are struggling to adjust to the move, think about seeking professional help. A mental health professional can help your kids cope with their emotions and help them settle into their new surroundings. They can also provide you with practical tips on how to help your kids adjust and make the transition as seamless as possible. Sometimes a trusted educator or close relative can be a fantastic outside resource for kids to spend time with, talk through their feelings and feel more secure about the upcoming move.
Pets
1. Familiarize Your Pets with the Moving Boxes
Your furry friends can become stressed out when they see packing supplies around the house. To help them adapt to the changes, start familiarizing the boxes a few weeks before the move. Let your pets explore the boxes so they become familiar with them. Feline friends love a great box!
2. Keep Your Pets Routine as Normal as Possible
Just like kids, animal companions also need a sense of routine during the move. Try to maintain their daily schedule as close to normal as possible, including feeding schedules, outdoor time, and playtime. This will help your pets feel relaxed during the move and mitigate their levels of stress.
3. Plan Ahead for Transportation
If you’re using a long distance moving company, you need to make arrangements for your pets' travel. If you're taking a road trip, make sure to have a safe and cozy place for them in the car. If you're taking a plane, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and check out the rules for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across town, a conversation with your vet before your move can ensure your pets are well-prepared for the move.
4. Update Your Pets' Identification
Prior to the move, make sure your pets' identification is up-to-date, including their ID tags, microchips, and any other means of identification. This will ensure that they can be returned to you if they get separated during the move.
5. Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations
If you're moving to a new place and your interstate movers need a few hours to make the trip, make sure to research dog-friendly hotels, like pet-friendly hotels, pet-friendly apartments or dog walkers. Having a cozy and secure place to unwind after a long journey during the trip will keep your fur babies happy after a lengthy travel! If you have a brief transition period while using local movers, asking a buddy, family member or neighbour to watch your pets throughout the move can also be a good strategy for keeping pets calm and relaxed.
6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love
To sum up, make sure to show your furry friends lots of affection and attention during the move. Spend time with them, play with them, and give them lots of snuggles and cuddles. This will help reduce their stress and anxiety levels.
At Corrigan Moving Systems, we strive to take care of all members of your family; fur babies and children included! We recognize we aren’t moving items from point A to point B, we’re moving lives. Entrusting us with that task is not something we take lightly. Contact us today to schedule your free at-home appraisal and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over almost a century.