Family Relocation: Moving Home with Pets and Children

Relocating can be a whirlwind of emotions and tasks for families, especially when pets and children are involved. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s crucial to address the specific needs of every family member, including pets. This guide highlights essential steps to make moving less stressful for everyone, emphasising routines, safety, and emotional support. check out our moving house checklist to help in the first step.

1. Preparation Is Key: Begin discussions about the move early, using positive language to build excitement. Gradually introduce pets to moving supplies, creating a positive association.
2. Routine Retention: Stick to familiar schedules for meals, walks, and bedtimes to give pets and children a sense of normalcy amidst change. This will help some children keep calm and realise that moving doesn’t change everything in their lives.
3. Identification Updates: Before moving home with pets ensure you have current identification tags and that microchip information is updated with your new address.
4. Familiarisation Visits: Arrange a visit to the new home with your pets and children, if possible. This helps them adjust to the new space in a controlled, calm manner.
5. Child Involvement: Allow children to pack a special box with their favourite items, giving them a sense of participation and control over the move. A great way to get your children involved is by letting them design their rooms or spaces within your new home. Letting them have some choice over colours and décor can help them feel a part of the move and increase excitement.
6. Comfortable Travel: Plan the logistics of moving day to ensure it’s comfortable and stress-free for everyone. Include familiar toys and blankets for pets and children during the journey. When moving with us we’ll plan our route with approx. timings in advance. This helps to keep some control and structure to the travel.
7. New Surroundings Exploration: Once moved in, take time to explore your new area with your children and pets. This helps build new, exciting routines and familiarise them with their new environment. Discover new parks or woodland areas for your children to explore or new walking routes to take the dog.
8. Open Conversations: Maintain open lines of communication with your children about the move. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns. If your children are anxious about moving open communication can help. Depending on the age of your children it can be good to keep an open conversation about why you’re moving and what happens at each stage.
9. Special Attention: Recognise that pets can be sensitive to changes in their environment. Offer additional attention to them through playtime and keeping them close. Once in your new location give them time to sniff, explore and adjust in their own time.
10. Seek Professional Help: If the move is particularly complex or if your pet has special needs, consider hiring a professional pet relocation service. This can ease the logistical stress of moving with animals. Maybe plan for additional childcare on the move day to help you keep a clear head & focus on making the new house a home when reunited.

Relocating with children and pets requires extra planning and patience, but it’s also an opportunity for growth and new adventures. By following these steps, you can mitigate the stress associated with moving, ensuring that your family and pets adjust healthily and happily to your new home.

At Reliable Removals, we’re committed to making your family’s transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. For more tips on moving home, See more helpful advice from our blog. If you’re looking to move then contact us today!