Moving with Kids and Pets
Moving with children and pets can be stressful. Since they thrive on routine, breaking it will often cause them to act out, especially when they’re younger. Make it easier with the following tips:
Start preparing them ahead of time.
For children, have a question-and-answer conversation about where you’re moving and why. While older children will understand right away, younger ones may not. For toddlers and younger school-aged children, discuss the move with them several times. For children of all ages, give them a time frame for the move so they can get used to the idea and prepare to wind down their school and athletic activities
Visit the new area.
Take your children and pets to parks and trails located near the new house. Build excitement about the new area by visiting your children’s future school to pick up flyers for activities on-campus or at the local recreation center. Visit the local dog park to meet your neighbors and fellow pet owners, and allow your pet to meet other dogs in the community too.
Reward everyone’s hard work.
Give everyone something to look forward to after the move. Go out for a nice meal and take time to relax in your new home for the remainder of the day. Give your pet their favorite treat or take them for a nice walk.
Hire a sitter.
Having someone watch your children or pets the day of the move will ensure you can pack and load the truck safely and efficiently. Knowing you little ones and furry friends may be stressed, anticipate that your sitter’s duties may be intensified and plan ahead. Provide plenty of meal options and treats to keep everyone nourished and happy. For after meals and during drives, make sure your sitter has favorite games and toys to keep the group entertained
Include the children in the moving process.
Give them age-appropriate taks to help with the move, from moving light boxes to packing their own rooms. Getting them actively involved will give them some ownership of the move and make them feel more comfortable and in control of the circumstances.
Make Unpacking a Breeze
Although many people don’t find unpacking nearly as stressful as packing, it can be tedious. Make the process less of a chore by following these tips before you move.
Clean before you move in. While the previous owners may have cleaned when they left, give your new home a thorough cleaning to ensure it is move-in ready for you. Also, take the time to stock the bathrooms with toilet paper and put snacks and paper towels in the kitchen. When it’s moving day, you’ll be glad you did.
Store hardware for furniture, curtain rods, etc. in sandwich bags. If you disassemble any furniture, this ensures you don’t lose any screws or important pieces. Tape the bags to the underside of the furniture.
Take photos that show how your electronics are connected. If you’ve tossed the instructions to your gadgets, taking a photo of the back of your television, stereo, or computer will help you match each cord to the correct plug.
Source: Buffini & Company