We all know just how stressful moving can be. There are a ton of decisions to make and plans to coordinate. It’s important to recognize that moving impacts everyone. Use this advice to help you ensure a successful experience moving with children or pets.

Children

Before

• Make the move a daily topic of conversation as soon as the decision becomes final. This will allow them plenty of time to process and express their feelings.

• Include them in the preparation for the move. Take them to open houses so they can feel like they are included in the process. Allow them to help design their new room by choosing paint colors, furniture, and décor. This will make the move seem like a new adventure and can be something they are excited about.
• If possible, go for a drive around the new neighborhood before the move. Look for places you might frequent with your child, such as a park/playground, school, ice cream shop, etc. These will be the places that will be most important to them and might be anxious about, especially if there is a place of significance to them at your old location.

During

• It might be best if the day of the move all children are somewhere else. Have them stay with a babysitter or family member and taken to do a fun activity, such as seeing a movie. This will keep them happily occupied while out of the way of the movers. Be sure to have them pack a box of their favorite toys to unpack once they do arrive.

After

• Focusing on unpacking your child’s things first and setting their room up to their liking, whether a similar layout to what they had before or something new.
• Even during the chaos of trying to organize your new home, keep up with any family rituals like movie night or waffle Sundays. This will provide them with a sense of familiarity that let’s them know that not everything has changed.

Pets

Before

• Double check that your furry friend is up-to-date on all shots and vaccinations. Track down and make copies of their medical history and other important documentation, as they might be required for certain types of transportation.
• Obtain updated name tags with your new address (or phone number). You don’t want your pet wearing tags with outdated information in case they manage to escape from your new home. If they are microchipped, be sure to update your information.

• Depending on how far you must travel and the mode of transportation, it’s best to be prepared. If driving, get your pet used to the car by taking them for quick drives well in advance to help them get used to the idea. Traveling by air might cause more anxiety, which means you should consider asking a vet about medication to help. You should also thoroughly research the airline’s policies about transporting pets.

During

• Like with children, it is best to drop your pet(s) off with a sitter or family member during moving day. With the constant flow of people in and out of your home, it is likely your pet could easily slip out without being noticed. They could also be severely overwhelmed with the chaos of moving and being in a new environment. Take precaution by having them elsewhere to keep them safe and sound.
• If you can’t keep them elsewhere, place them in a secure room with food, water, and plenty of toys. Make sure you check in on them regularly.

Keep these tips in mind when selling your home.

After

• Slowly get them acquainted with your new home by introducing them room by room, especially if you have a cat. It is recommended you start with whatever room that will house their food, water, or litter box.
• It is important to keep up routines with your pets, just as you would with children. Use the same feeding times and location of their items (food, pet beds). This will help them adjust to their new surroundings.

As long as you keep in mind that moving can be just as hard on your children or pets as it can be for adults, you’ll have a smoother moving experience. Relieve yourself from additional stress by taking plenty of precaution and preparing well in advance. Use these additional moving tips to help keep you organized.

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