Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new home is an happiness-inducing experience, especially if you have little ones and animal companions to share in the excitement! Children and pets are creatures of habit and ensuring a seamless transition should be your top priority during your move process. Long distance moving companies will recommend the same thing: preparation is crucial. The more ready you are in the beginning of your move, the more adjusted and satisfied your kids and pets will be. Before your local movers start loading up, take a moment to develop a moving plan that will be beneficial for all, 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 get 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 choose the color scheme for their new bedrooms 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 challenges of moving with kids is keeping a familiar routine. To help your kids feel more at ease, try to keep a consistent routine as much as possible. For example, you can still read a bedtime tale, enjoy their favorite film, or have dinner together every night. Keeping a familiar routine will help your kids feel more at ease and less anxious about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Packing a "moving kit" for your kids can also make the transition easier. This kit should include toys, books, and games, as well as a fresh change of clothes and toiletries. Making 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 give them fun diversions while travelling to your new place! If your local moving company is just headed across Grand Rapids, this kit can keep your kids busy while the truck gets loaded or unloaded into your new home.

4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood

Before you move, take your kids on a walk of your new community. This can help them feel more familiar and ease the transition. You can also research fun excursions and places to visit in your new community, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more pumped about the move. Get your kids to put together a schedule to schedule some fun activities to serve as a recess during the move planning process.

5. Talk About What to Expect

Talking 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 transported onto a big truck, but it’s just for a short while. Watch videos explaining how movers pack and unload the trucks, so kids will know where their stuff is going, and when they will them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

In conclusion, if your kids are having a difficult time settling in to the move, contemplate seeking the guidance of a trained professional. A counselor can help your kids work through their feelings and help them adjust to their new home. They can also give you practical tips on how to help your kids adjust and make the transition as seamless as possible. Sometimes a trusted educator or trusted confidant can be a fantastic outside source of support for kids to spend time with, share their thoughts and gain a sense of security about the upcoming move.

Pets

1. Familiarize Your Pets with the Moving Boxes

Your four-legged family members can become stressed out when they see packing materials around the house. To help them adapt to the changes, start familiarizing the boxes a few weeks before the move. Let your pets sniff and investigate the boxes so they become comfortable around them. Cats love a great box!

2. Keep Your Pets Routine as Normal as Possible

Just like kids, furry friends also need a sense of routine during the move. Try to keep their routine as close to normal as possible, including feeding times, exercise time, and play breaks. 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 long distance movers, you need to consider your pets' needs during the move. If you're taking a road trip, make sure to have a safe and cozy place for them in the car. If you are taking a plane, make sure you have all the required documentation and check out the requirements for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Grand Rapids, 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 furry friends' identification is recent, including their ID tags, microchips, and any other means of identification. This will ensure that they can be brought back to you if they get separated during the move.

5. Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

If you're moving to a new place and your interstate 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 rest and relax during the trip will keep your fur babies happy after a long journey! If you have a brief transition period while using local movers, asking a friend, kin or person next door to watch your pets throughout the move can also be a good plan for keeping pets calm and relaxed.

6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love

Lastly, make sure to show your furry friends plenty of attention and love during the move. Spend time with them, engage in playtime with them, and provide them with plenty of affection. This will help them feel more secure and comfortable.

At Corrigan Moving Systems, we strive to take care of all members of your family; 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 for granted. Contact us today to schedule your free at-home appraisal and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over almost a century.