Moving With Children

Moving can be stressful for a family, especially for children. If moving across town or to a new city, children are often anxious about leaving their friends and neighbors, attending a new school, and adjusting to a new community. Attention from parents before, during, and after the move can make a big difference in a child’s adjustment to their new home.

Getting ready - Encourage your children to express their feelings about the move. Making a list of phone numbers and addresses of friends can often reassure children that they will be able to stay in touch with their friends. Take your children to see their new home before you move. A walk around your new neighborhood will make them feel more comfortable with their new home.

Packing - Involve your children in the packing. Use this as a time to clean out their toy chests and closets. Encourage them to donate infrequently used items to charity. Let your children pack a bag or backpack of special items, such as blankets or toys, which they will want to keep with them during the move.

Stick to your routine - Staying with your usual schedule, as much as possible, during the moving process, will allow your children to be less anxious.

Moving day - If you have young children who may be underfoot during the move, it may be safer for them to stay with a friend, family member, or neighbor.

After the move - Don’t rush to unpack immediately. Spend time with your children helping them get acquainted with their new home and neighborhood. Involve them in unpacking their belongings and arranging their room.

Moving Your Pet

The Human Society has the following suggestions on moving your pet.

Plan ahead - Advance planning will make your move less stressful on you and your pet. Pack over a period of time, and try to maintain your pet's normal routine.

Invest in a high-quality, sturdy pet carrier - If you have a dog or cat that you want to keep safely confined on moving day, get a carrier ahead of time and gradually accustom your pet to spending time in it.

Purchase a new ID tag for your pet - As soon as you know your new address, get a pet ID tag that includes your new address and telephone number. An up-to-date ID tag is a lost pet's ticket home.

Keep your pet secure - On moving day, place your pet (whether in the carrier or not) in a safe, quiet place, such as the bathroom, so that he or she cannot escape. Place a large sign on the door that says, DO NOT ENTER, and be sure that friends and movers are aware that the room is off-limits.

Make your car trip safe - If you're traveling by car and your dog enjoys car travel, you may want to accustom him to a restraining harness. Because most cats aren't comfortable traveling in cars, it's best (for their safety as well as yours) to transport them in a well-ventilated and securely placed carrier. Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle during warm weather as the temperature rises quickly and can injure or kill them. In any season, a pet in a parked vehicle is vulnerable to being harmed or stolen. Never put an animal in the trunk of a car, the open bed of a pickup truck, or the storage area of a moving van.

Talk to your veterinarian - If your pet doesn't enjoy car rides, consult your veterinarian about behavior modification or medication that might lessen the stress of travel. Depending on your destination, your pet may also need additional vaccinations, medications, and health certificates.

Find hotels in advance - Listings of pet-friendly hotels will help you find overnight lodging during your move.

Plan ahead for air travel - Check with your veterinarian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the airline if your pet will be flying. Also be sure to check out our online tips for traveling with your companion animal. You will need to take precautions to ensure your pet's safety, so give yourself ample time to work out all the arrangements.

Prepare your new home - Take with you all the familiar and necessary things your pet will need from day one in your new home: food, water, medications, bed, litter box, food and water bowls, and health records. Also have on hand a recent photo of your pet, for use if your pet becomes lost.

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