Remembering that your upcoming move will be as stressful for your children as it is for you is very important. Here are some helpful hints we've found that have worked for many of our 'moving' clients.
1. Show the children the new home and their new room prior to moving. If this is not possible, pictures or videos will help them visualize where they are going.
2. Assure children that you won't forget their friends.
3. Make a scrap book of the old home and neighborhood.
4. Throw a good-bye party. At the party have their friends sign a tee shirt.
5. Have your children write good-bye letters and enclose their new address. You may wish to call the other children's parents so they will encourage return letters.
6. When packing, give them their own box. They can decorate it so they know which one it is.
7. If you move far away, buy postcards when you stop so they can remember the trip.
8. When unpacking, allow them to unpack their treasures then, and have them play with the boxes while you unpack.
9. Start a scrap book for their new home. Include a diary of "My first..."
10. Visit their new school, park, church, etc. Take a camera.
11. Help your children invite new friends over to the house.
12. Let them choose a new favorite restaurant. This will help them feel in control of their New World.
13. Encourage them to send letters about their new home to their friends.
14. Involve your children in groups, sports and activities like the ones they used to participate in.
15. Remember even if you only lived in a home for a few years to a young child it is nearly their entire lifetime!
Your Moving Checklist
This handy checklist will help you organize your move. With some careful planning, your moving experience can be less stressful and more manageable.
6-8 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Call your moving professional.
Tour your home to decide what to move.
Establish credit in your new city.
Collect personal records.
Transfer, sell or resign memberships in clubs or associations. Arrange to close or transfer charge accounts.
Arrange for school authorities to transfer your children’s school records.
Set goals and deadlines if you plan to do your own packing.
Separate goods going into storage.
4-6 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Notify post office, utilities, professional services, insurance
agencies, business accounts, government and public offices
and magazine subscriptions.
Obtain addresses of utility companies in the new city.
Utilities can sometimes be connected before your arrival.
Consider having a garage sale.
Use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items.
Inventory what will go to determine the amount of declared valuation.
2-3 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Confirm your pack dates with the moving company and supply them with destination address and phone numbers.
Make family travel plans. Have your car prepared for the trip.
Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave wrapped when they are returned.
Set a date for utilities disconnection.
Take pets to the veterinarian. Most states require health
certificates and rabies inoculations.
Return library books and anything borrowed from friends
and neighbors.
3 DAYS BEFORE MOVING
Prepare valuables such as money, credit cards, stamp collections, etc. to take with you.
Pack suitcases. Arrange for a babysitter for moving day if necessary.
Empty the refrigerator so that it can dry at least 24 hours before the movers arrive.
1 DAY BEFORE MOVING
Have dishes washed and dried, and unplug TV so it is at room temperature when loaded.
Check closets, cabinets and storage lockers for articles overlooked.
MOVING DAY
Be on hand when movers arrive.
Carry jewelry and documents yourself. Plan for transporting pets.
Let someone know your route and schedule and serve as a message center.
AT YOUR NEW ADDRESS
Be on hand to watch unloading process.
Check on service connections.
Register to vote, and obtain driver’s license and car registration if necessary. Register your children in school.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
