Moving is always a major event involving a daunting number of details and challenges. When you have kids and/or pets, however, it becomes even more complicated. In addition to a long list of tasks you also need to keep an eye on your family and pets. Let’s cover some tips for moving with children and pets to help make the experience as hassle-free as possible.
Tips for Moving with Kids
Moving to a new home can be stressful for kids, especially for younger ones. It can also be chaotic as you help them pack and perhaps try to persuade them to part with certain items.
- Talk to Them: Depending on how far you’re moving, your kids may be separated from a familiar neighborhood, school and friends. Make sure you discuss the move and tell them about the positive aspects of the new surroundings.
- Let Them Participate: If they’re old enough, get your kids involved in the whole process. Let them do some of their own packing. If possible, take them on trips to the new house and neighborhood so it’s not totally unfamiliar to them.
- Make the Best Use of Social Media and Technology: Take advantage of your kids’ familiarity with technology and social media. Remind them that they can easily stay in touch with old friends by phone and online chat. Look up websites and Facebook pages highlighting the best features of your new neighborhood.
Tips for Moving with Pets
Pets pose their own challenges for moving to a new home. Animals are naturally resistant to change and may not react well to being placed in a crate, carrying box or sitting for hours in the back of a vehicle.
- Take Your Pets to the Vet Before Moving: Make sure they’re in good health and up to date with all essential vaccinations or medications.
- Update Your Pet’s Tags with Your New Address: Microchips are another option to ensure that you can track your pets’ whereabouts.
- Research the Best Way to Move Your Pet: It’s important to map out each step of your move and make sure you’ve considered your pet’s needs. For example, if you’re driving and staying at hotels be sure you reserve rooms at pet-friendly hotels. If you’re driving with a dog, plan a route where you can take breaks for walks. If you’re flying, make sure you book with an airline that allows pets. This will generally only be possible for smaller pets.
General Tips for Moving
Your move will proceed more smoothly, especially with kids and pets, if you keep the following moving tips in mind.
- Create a Checklist: Don’t forget practical necessities, such as updating your address with the post office, shutting off your utilities at the old place and having them turned on at the new one.
- Pack an Essentials Box: An essentials box contains items to make the move easier. Everyone, including adults, children and even pets should have a box containing edibles, diversions and random favorite things that will make the trip more comfortable.
- Consider Enlisting Help: For young children, it may be advisable to hire a babysitter or pet sitter for the day of the move. Another possibility is to have your kids or pets stay with a relative or friend for the day. You could then return the following day to pick them up. Or your trusted helper could escort them to your new home.
These moving tips will help make the experience smoother and less stressful, especially if you’re moving with pets or moving with kids. Are you wanting to move but haven’t found a home yet? Instead of compromising, why not have your dream home built? Covenant Homes will help you design the perfect custom home to meet your family’s needs.
