Moving house can be a daunting task for anyone, but adding pets and children into the mix can become even more challenging. We’ve been there. It’s tricky.
From ensuring their safety during the move to helping them adjust to their new surroundings, there are several essential steps to consider when navigating moving house with pets and children.
This post will provide you with some useful tips and strategies to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved.
Preparing Before the Move:
- Familiarize: Before moving house, it’s crucial to familiarise your pets and children with their new environment in advance. Arrange visits to the new house or apartment if possible so they can become acclimated to the space.
- Communication: As parents or pet owners, open communication is vital in preparing children and animals for the impending move. Explain what is happening, why it’s happening, and how it will benefit them.
- Create Routines: Establishing consistent routines prior to moving day will help both pets and children feel secure amidst the chaos of packing up their belongings. Maintain regular meal times, playtimes, walks, and bedtime schedules as much as possible.
- Packing Essentials: As you begin packing boxes for the move, create separate ones specifically designated for your pets’ essentials (food, water bowls, medications) and your children’s necessities (clothes, toys). Keep these easily accessible throughout your relocation process.
- Safety Measures: In the days leading up to the move, implement safety measures for both children and pets. This can include securing a pet carrier or harness for transportation and childproofing the new home in advance. Ensure that the environment is safe and secure to prevent any accidents or escapes during the transition period.
During the Move:
- Secure Pet Safety: On moving day itself, ensure that your pets are secured in a quiet room where they won’t get underfoot or become distressed by all the noise and activity. Consider using pet carriers or crates equipped with comfortable bedding items. You should communicate this to your moving company (if any).
- Assign Responsibilities: Allocate tasks amongst family members so that everyone knows what role they play during loading items onto trucks or transportation vehicles while supervising kids or animals at all times.
- Role-Playing Games: Engage children in role-playing games like being the “guide” for their pets. This will make them feel empowered, have fun, and divert their attention from any anxieties that moving may bring about.
- Settling Children into New Surroundings: Once you’ve reached your destination, establish a familiar space or room for children right away. Arrange their belongings in a way that replicates their room in the old house to eliminate any initial discomfort they might feel.
Adjusting After the Move:
- Keep up Routines: After relocating, consistency is key when it comes to helping pets and children adjust successfully. Stick to established routines as much as possible, including mealtimes, playtimes, and bedtime rituals.
- Provide Familiar Objects: Help children settle into their new surroundings by allowing them to choose a few beloved items (such as bedding or toys) that they can have close by during this transition phase.
- Patience with Pets: Understand that pets may take longer to adapt compared to children. Continue providing ample love and attention while gradually introducing them to different areas of your new home until they’re comfortable exploring on their own.
- Explore the Neighborhood: Make time to explore your new neighbourhood with both kids and pets in tow. Discover nearby parks or dog-friendly areas where you can spend quality time together, helping them become accustomed to their new surroundings at a comfortable pace.
Moving house with pets and children requires careful planning, clear communication, patience, and dedication. By preparing ahead of time, ensuring safety during the move itself, and being mindful of adjustment periods afterwards, you can make this transition smoother for everyone involved.
Keep routines consistent, provide familiar objects for comfort when settling in, and take the time to explore your new surroundings with both kids and pets. Remember — open communication is paramount during every step of this process. Soon enough, everyone will feel settled into your new home as if they had known it all along.