Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new home is an happiness-inducing experience, especially if you have kids and pets to share in the thrill! Your little ones and furry friends are used to their routines and ensuring a smooth transition should be your top priority during your move process. Long distance moving companies will advise you the same thing: preparation is vital. The more ready 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 develop a plan that will be beneficial for all, and keep the whole family content 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 include them in the process. Let them help with packing, or give them the task of packing their belongings. You can also involve them in the planning process by letting them pick the color scheme for their new bedrooms or decide on the design of their rooms. This will give them more control of the situation and help them feel more excited about the move.

2. Keep a Familiar Routine

One of the biggest the greatest challenges of moving with kids is keeping a familiar routine. To help your kids feel more at ease, attempt to maintain a consistent routine as much as you can. For example, you can still read a bedtime tale, watch their favorite film, or have a meal together every night. Keeping a consistent routine will help your kids feel more at ease and less stressed about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Preparing a "moving kit" for your little ones can also make the transition easier. This kit should include toys, reading materials, and games, as well as a spare outfits and personal care items. Having a moving kit can give them a sense of familiarity. If the long distance movers need a few days to drive to your destination, this kit can also provide a distraction while travelling to your new home! If your local moving company is just headed across Rochester, this kit can keep your kids busy while the truck is being packed up or delivered into your new home.

4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood

Before you move, take your kids on a stroll of your new community. This can help them adjust to the new area and ease the transition. You can also look up fun excursions and places to visit in your new city, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more enthusiastic about the move. Get your kids to create a schedule to plan out some fun activities to serve as a break during the move planning process.

5. Talk About What to Expect

Communicating your kids through the process of the move can help them feel less anxious about the process. Before your long distance movers arrive, describe to your kids what they will see. They will see their toys being moved onto a big truck, but it’s just for a short while. Watch videos that show how movers load and unload the moving trucks, so kids will know where their things are going, and when they will them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

Lastly, if your children are having a difficult time settling in to the move, think about seeking the guidance of a trained professional. A therapist can help your kids process their thoughts and help them settle into their new environment. They can also give you practical suggestions on how to help your kids adjust and make the transition as seamless as possible. Sometimes a trusted teacher or trusted confidant can be a great outside source of support for kids to spend time with, open up about their emotions and feel more secure about the upcoming move.

Pets

1. Familiarize Your Pets with the Moving Boxes

Pets can become stressed out when they see packing materials around the house. To help them get used to the change, start introducing the boxes a few weeks before the move. Let your pets explore the boxes so they become familiar with them. Cats love a good 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 keep their schedule as close to normal as possible, including feeding schedules, outdoor time, and playtime activities. This will help your pets feel comfortable during the move and mitigate their anxiety levels.

3. Plan Ahead for Transportation

If you’re using long distance movers, you need to plan for transportation for your pets. If you're taking a road trip, make sure to have a relaxing place for them in the car. If you are taking a plane, make sure you have all the required forms and research the rules for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Rochester, a conversation with your veterinarian before your move can ensure your pets are adjusting well to the change.

4. Update Your Pets' Identification

Prior to the move, make sure your fur babies' ID is accurate, including their tags, microchips, and any other means of identification. This will ensure that they can be returned to you if they get lost during the move.

5. Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

If you're moving to a new place and your interstate movers need a few nights to make the trip, make sure to look into places that allow pets, like pet-friendly hotels, house rentals or pet-sitters. Having a relaxing and peaceful place to rest and relax during the trip will keep your beloved pets happy after a long journey! If you have a short gap between homes while using local movers, asking a pal, relative or neighbor to look after your furry friends throughout the move can also be a good strategy for keeping pets at ease and content.

6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love

Lastly, make sure to give your pets lots of affection and attention during the move. Take time to be with them, engage in playtime with them, and provide them with plenty of affection. This will help ease their transition into the new home.

At Corrigan Moving Systems, we strive to take care of the whole family; fur babies and children included! We realize 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 no-cost in-person assessment and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over 90 years.