Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new home is an exciting experience, especially if you have little ones and animal companions to share in the excitement! Your little ones and furry friends are accustomed to their daily rhythms and ensuring a smooth transition should be top of mind during your move process. Long distance moving companies will advise you the same thing: preparation is key. The more organized you are in the beginning of your move, the more adjusted and content your little ones and animal companions will be. Before your local movers start loading up, take a moment to plan out a moving plan 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 of the best ways to help your kids get comfortable with the move is to involve them in the moving process. Let them help with packing, or give them the task of packing their belongings. You can also involve them in the preparation process by letting them pick the colors for their new rooms or select the design of their new spaces. 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 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 share a bedtime tale, enjoy their favorite film, or have dinner together every night. Keeping a familiar routine will help your kids feel more comfortable and less anxious about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Packing a "moving kit" for your children can also help with the move. This kit should include toys they love, books, and games, as well as a spare outfits and personal care items. Making a moving kit can make them feel more at home in their new surroundings. If the long distance moving company needs a few days to travel to your destination, this kit can also give them a distraction while travelling to your new house! If your local moving company is just headed across Farmington Hills, this kit can keep little ones busy while the truck gets loaded or unloaded into your new home.

4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood

Prior to you move, bring your kids on a walk of your new neighborhood. This can help them adjust to the new area and ease the transition. You can also look up 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 enthusiastic about the move. Get your kids to create a calendar to plan out some fun activities to serve as a distraction 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, walk through to your kids what they’ll see. They’ll see their toys being transported onto a big truck, but it’s just for now. Watch videos that show how movers load and unload the moving trucks, so kids will know where their items are going, and when they will them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

Finally, if your little ones are struggling to adjust to the move, contemplate seeking professional help. A therapist can help your kids cope with their emotions 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 respected educator or family friend can be a fantastic outside resource 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

Pets can become worried when they see moving boxes around the house. To help them adjust to the new environment, start familiarizing the boxes a few weeks before the move. Let your pets check out 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, animal companions also need a sense of familiarity during the move. Try to keep their daily schedule as close to normal as possible, including meal schedules, walks, and play breaks. This will help your pets feel more at ease during the move and mitigate their stress and anxiety.

3. Plan Ahead for Transportation

If you’re using a long distance moving company, you need to consider your pets' needs during the move. If you're driving in your car, make sure to have a comfortable and secure place for them in the car. If you're flying, ensure you have all the required documentation and research the rules for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Farmington Hills, a conversation with your veterinarian before your move can help be sure your pets are well-prepared for the move.

4. Update Your Pets' Identification

Prior to the move, make sure your pets' identification is accurate, including their tags, microchips, and any other forms of ID. 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 city and your cross-country movers need a few hours to make the trip, make sure to research dog-friendly hotels, like dog-friendly motels, condos that allow pets or pet-sitters. 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 short gap between homes while using local movers, asking a friend, relative or neighbour to look after your furry friends throughout the move can also be a good plan 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 ample amounts of love and care during the move. Spend time with them, engage in playtime with them, and show them lots of love and care. This will help reduce their stress and anxiety levels.

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 know 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 complimentary virtual assessment and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over almost a century.