Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new home is an joyful experience, especially if you have kids and pets to share in the anticipation! Your little ones and furry friends are used to their routines and ensuring a smooth transition should be top of mind during your move process. Long distance movers will advise you the same thing: planning is vital. The more prepared you are in the beginning of your move, the happier and happy your little ones and animal companions will be. Before your local movers start loading up, take a moment to create a strategy that will work for everyone, 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 involve them in the moving process. Let them help with packing, or give them the responsibility of packing their own things. You can also involve them in the preparation process by letting them pick the colors for their new living spaces or select the design of their rooms. 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 biggest challenges of moving with kids is keeping a familiar routine. To help your kids feel more at ease, attempt to keep a regular routine as much as possible. For example, you can still read a bedtime story, enjoy their favorite movie, or have dinner together every night. Keeping a consistent routine will help your kids feel more at ease and less worried about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Preparing a "moving kit" for your little ones can also help with the move. This kit should include toys they love, reading materials, and games, as well as a change of clothes and hygiene essentials. Making a moving kit can give them a sense of familiarity. If the long distance movers need a few days to get to your destination, this kit can also give them a distraction while travelling to your new place! If your local moving company is just headed across Flint, this kit can keep kiddos busy while the truck gets loaded or unloaded into your new home.

4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood

Prior to you move, take your kids on a walk of your new community. This can help them adjust to the new area and ease the transition. You can also explore fun things to do and places to visit in your new community, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more excited about the move. Encourage your kids to create a schedule to plan out some fun activities to serve as a recess during the move planning process.

5. Talk About What to Expect

Communicating your kids through the process of the move can help them feel comfortable about the process. Before your long distance movers arrive, explain to your kids what they’ll see. They’ll see their toys being carried 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 know where their toys are going, and when to expect them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

In conclusion, if your little ones are struggling to adjust to the move, consider seeking the guidance of a trained professional. A counselor can help your kids work through their feelings and help them adjust to their new environment. They can also offer you practical tips on how to help your kids adjust and make the transition as easy as possible. Sometimes a respected instructor or close relative can be a fantastic outside resource for kids to spend time with, open up about their emotions and gain a sense of security about the upcoming move.

Pets

1. Familiarize Your Pets with the Moving Boxes

Pets can become worried when they see packing materials around the house. To help them get used to the change, start familiarizing the boxes a few weeks before the move. Let your pets sniff and investigate the boxes so they become familiar with them. Feline friends love a good box!

2. Keep Your Pets Routine as Normal as Possible

Just like kids, animal companions also need a sense of normalcy during the move. Try to maintain their daily routine as close to normal as possible, including feeding schedules, walks, and play breaks. This will help your pets feel more at ease during the move and reduce their stress and anxiety.

3. Plan Ahead for Transportation

If you’re using long distance movers, you need to make arrangements for your pets' travel. If you're driving in your car, make sure to have a comfortable and secure place for them in the car. If you are flying, make sure you have all the required paperwork and look into the rules for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Flint, a conversation with your pet’s 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 fur babies' ID is current, including their ID tags, microchips, and any other identification methods. This will ensure that they can be brought back to you if they get misplaced during the move.

5. Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

If you're moving to a new city and your cross-country movers need a few days to make the trip, make sure to look into places that allow pets, like dog-friendly motels, pet-friendly apartments or pet boarding. Having a relaxing and peaceful place to lay their heads and stretch their legs during the trip will keep your fur babies happy after a tiring trip! If you have a brief transition period while using a local moving company, asking a friend, family member or person next door to watch your pets throughout the move can also be a good approach for keeping pets comfortable and happy.

6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love

In conclusion, ensure to show your furry friends ample amounts of love and care during the move. Spend time with them, have fun 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 each and every one of our customers' loved ones; 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 don’t appreciate. Contact us today to book your free in-home assessment and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over over nine decades.