Kids and Pets: Tips for a Stress-Free Move

Moving to a new home is an joyful experience, especially if you have little ones and animal companions to share in the excitement! Your kids and animal companions are creatures of habit and ensuring a effortless transition should be top of mind during your move process. Long distance moving companies will advise you the same thing: getting organized is key. The more organized you are in the beginning of your move, the more adjusted and happy your kids and pets will be. Before your local movers start loading up, take a moment to plan out a 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 great way to the best ways to make your kids feel more comfortable with the move is to get them in the moving process. Let them help with packing, or give them the task of packing their personal items. You can also involve them in the preparation process by letting them pick the colors for their new rooms or pick out the design of their new spaces. This will make them feel more in control of the situation and help them feel more 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, try to keep a regular routine as much as you can. For example, you can still read a bedtime story, watch their favorite movie, or have dinner together every night. Keeping a consistent routine will help your kids feel more comfortable and less stressed about the move.

3. Pack a "Moving Kit" for Your Kids

Preparing a "moving kit" for your kids can also ease the transition. This kit should include toys, reading materials, and games, as well as a change of clothes and hygiene essentials. Making a moving kit can make them feel more at home in their new surroundings. If the long distance movers need a few days to get to your destination, this kit can also provide entertainment while travelling to your new place! If your local movers are just headed across Auburn Hills, this kit can keep your kids busy while the truck is being packed up or unloaded into your new home.

4. Take a Tour of Your New Neighborhood

Ahead of you move, bring your kids on a tour of your new community. This can help them get to know their new surroundings and ease the transition. You can also explore fun activities and places to visit in your new city, like local parks, outdoor space, nature reserves, playgrounds, and museums, to help your kids feel more pumped about the move. Have your kids to make a schedule to schedule some fun activities to serve as a break during the move planning process.

5. Talk About What to Expect

Talking your kids through the steps 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 will see their toys being carried onto a big truck, but it’s just for a short while. Watch videos explaining how movers load and unload the trucks, so kids know where their stuff is going, and when to expect them back.

6. Seek Outside Help

Finally, if your little ones are struggling to adjust to the move, consider seeking the guidance of a trained professional. A mental health professional can help your kids cope with their emotions and help them adjust to their new environment. They can also provide you with practical suggestions on how to help your kids adjust and make the transition as seamless as possible. Sometimes a respected educator or close relative can be a wonderful outside helpful ally for kids to spend time with, talk through their feelings and feel more secure about the upcoming move.

Pets

1. Familiarize Your Pets with the Moving Boxes

Your four-legged family members can become anxious when they see packing materials around the house. To help them adjust to the new environment, start introducing 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, furry friends also need a sense of familiarity during the move. Try to keep their daily schedule as close to normal as possible, including feeding schedules, outdoor time, and playtime activities. This will help your pets feel comfortable during the move and decrease their stress levels.

3. Plan Ahead for Transportation

If you’re using long distance movers, you need to plan for transportation for your pets. If you're driving in your car, make sure to have a relaxing place for them in the car. If you are taking a plane, be sure you have all the required documentation and research the requirements for flying with pets. Even if local movers are taking you across Auburn Hills, a conversation with your veterinarian before your move can ensure your pets are happy and comfortable throughout the transition.

4. Update Your Pets' Identification

Prior to the move, make sure your fur babies' ID is current, including their 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 interstate movers need a few nights to make the trip, make sure to look into pet-friendly rentals, like accommodations that welcome pets, vacation rentals or pet boarding. Having a cozy and secure place to rest and relax during the trip will keep your four-legged friends happy after a long journey! If you have a short gap between homes while using local movers, asking a buddy, kin or neighbor to take care of your pets throughout the move can also be a good strategy for keeping pets calm and relaxed.

6. Give Your Pets Plenty of Attention and Love

In conclusion, be sure to give your pets lots of affection and attention during the move. Make time for them, have fun with them, and show them lots of love and care. This will help ease their transition into the new home.

At Corrigan Moving Systems, we strive to take care of everyone in your household; fur babies and children included! We understand 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 arrange your zero-charge at-home assessment and see why families have trusted Corrigan for over nine decades.