Moving Tips with Children and Pets
A move can be a disrupting event for a child.
Be sure you talk to your children about the move.
Here are a few ideas to get your child involved and ease the adjustment:
- Give your kids crayons and markers (age appropriate) and help them decorate their moving boxes.
- Help them pack some of their toys and belongings in the special box (ones they decorated!)
- On moving day, keep a few special toys handy.
- Pets are an important part of the family and their safety and well being should be considered in advance of any major move.
- If travelling long distance, take your pet to the veterinarian for an exam before your move.
- Keep copies of your pet’s health documents in a safe place with other important documents.
When traveling with your pet by air:
- Book a direct flight if possible to reduce confinement time
- Let your pet get accustomed to its kennel in advance.
When traveling by car with your pet:
- Don’t feed your pet for several hours before the trip.
- Pack fresh water and stop frequently
- Never leave a pet unattended in a car – even for a short time!
Pre-Move Tips
- Check out your new neighborhood – shops, schools, theaters, life styles.
- It’s never too early to find out about your new home.
- Will your new home be ready? If not, arrange temporary storage.
- Start making up your change of address list, arrange to have mail forwarded.
- Agree on a termination date for electricity, gas, oil, telephone and other main suppliers.
- Check all electrical goods will they work in the new home?
- Do you still have the original boxes for your electrical goods?
- Round up personal documentation marriage/birth certificates, driving licenses, passports and so on. Keep these important documents with you as needed.
- Clear out unwanted goods and hold a garage sale, donate them to a local charity or arrange to have Tri-state One Rate Movers haul away any unwanted rubbish.
- Start running down freezer stocks.
- Prepare a packing timeline. Stick to it and pace your packing well in advance, pack a few boxes a day.
- Do not underestimate how long it takes to pack everything.