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 anticipation! Children and pets are accustomed to their daily rhythms and ensuring a effortless transition should be top of mind during your move process. Long distance movers will advise you the same thing: preparation is essential. 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 work for everyone, and keep the whole family happy during your upcoming transition!

Kids

1. Involve Your Children in the Process

One of the best ways to make your kids get comfortable with the move is to include them in the planning process. Let them help with packing, or give them the responsibility of packing their own things. You can also involve them in the planning process by letting them choose the colors for their new bedrooms or decide on the layout of their new spaces. This will make them feel more in control of the situation and help them get excited about the move.

2. Keep a Familiar Routine

One of the biggest the most significant challenges of moving with kids is keeping a familiar routine. To help your kids feel more at ease, try to maintain a consistent routine as much as possible. For example, you can still share a bedtime tale, enjoy their favorite movie, or have a meal together every night. Keeping a familiar routine will help your kids feel more comfortable and less stressed about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Preparing a "moving kit" for your little ones can also ease the transition. This kit should include toys, books, and games, as well as a change of clothes 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 travel to your destination, this kit can also give them fun diversions while travelling to your new house! If your local moving company is just headed across Toledo, 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

Ahead of you move, take your kids on a stroll of your new neighborhood. This can help them adjust to the new area and make the move less stressful. You can also look up fun things to do and places to visit in your new town, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more thrilled about the move. Have your kids to create a plan to plan out some fun activities to serve as a distraction during the move planning process.

5. Talk About What to Expect

Having a conversation your kids through the process of the move can help them feel comfortable about the process. Before your long distance movers arrive, walk through to your kids what they will see. They’ll see their toys being moved onto a big truck, but it’s just temporary. Watch videos that show how movers load and unload the moving trucks, so kids will know where their stuff is going, and when to expect them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

Lastly, if your little ones are finding it hard to adapt to the move, consider seeking professional help. A mental health professional 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 easy as possible. Sometimes a reliable teacher or family friend can be a wonderful outside helpful ally for kids to bond 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 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 comfortable around them. Feline friends love a good box!

2. Keep Your Pets Routine as Normal as Possible

Just like kids, pets also need a sense of familiarity during the move. Try to maintain their schedule as close to normal as possible, including mealtimes, outdoor walks, and playtime activities. This will help your pets feel calm during the move and reduce their levels of stress.

3. Plan Ahead for Transportation

If you’re using a long distance moving company, you need to plan for transportation for your pets. If you're driving in your car, make sure to have a relaxing place for them in the car. If you're taking a plane, be sure you have all the required paperwork and check out the procedures for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Toledo, a conversation with your pet’s vet before your move can make certain your pets are happy and comfortable throughout the transition.

4. Update Your Pets' Identification

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

5. Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

If you're moving to a new city and your interstate movers need a few hours to make the trip, make sure to research places that allow pets, like accommodations that welcome pets, condos that allow pets or pet boarding. Having a safe and comfortable place to rest and relax during the trip will keep your beloved pets happy after a long journey! If you have a temporary housing situation while using local movers, asking a friend, family member or person next door to take care of your pets throughout the move can also be a good approach for keeping pets calm and relaxed.

6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love

Lastly, ensure to give your pets ample amounts of love and care during the move. Make time for them, engage in playtime with them, and show them lots of love and care. This will help ease their transition into the new home.

At Corrigan Moving Systems, we strive to take care of everyone in your household; fur babies and kids 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-home assessment and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over over nine decades.