Pack up your troubles in your old pajama bag, and smile, smile, smile!

Moving with kids!

Pack up your troubles in your old pajama bag, and smile, smile, smile!

Moving can be a bumpy ride, not just for adults but for kids, too. Help make the trip easier by turning a heavy haul into a happy adventure. No matter how you look at it, a move is a new beginning. Change can be scary so it’s only natural that some members of the family won’t feel they’re ready to take on a whole new world. This often applies to children more than adults. While adults must establish new friends and business relationships, kids must leave all their old playmates, schoolteachers, activities, and familiar surroundings. And, unlike adults, many children have trouble envisioning what lies ahead, particularly if it's their first move. You can make life easier for everyone by having a detailed action plan and by including your children in that plan. Don't simply consider what you need to do for them, but give some thought to what they can do for themselves. The first step in the move from old home to new should be telling your children about the move as soon as you know it will happen. Then you can think about hiring movers or making arrangements to do it yourself; canceling, disconnecting and reconnecting services; packing-up and moving out; and unpacking and moving in.

After you've told the kids that the family is moving, keep them busy with preparations.

Let them spread the word to friends and neighbors.

Encourage them to plan a going-away party to say goodbye.

Assure them they can and will stay in touch with the people they really care about.

Suggest they have a "garage sale" to make money from old toys and other items they no longer use. If your children are still less than excited about the move, try getting them to think positively by giving them travel-related books and games. Atlas Van Lines has a good selection of activities: Coloring Buddy, Crossword Moves, Maze Daze, Move Scramble, Crossword Moves. (Check their site at http://relocatecanada.com/index.html and search on the word "kids.") Another engaging activity might be making a scrapbook or movie of all the people, places, and things that they want to remember about their

current home.

Now that your children are busy with their own agendas, you should get on with yours.

Reality Check - ask yourself whether the move will be a do-it-yourselfer or whether you will call in the pros. To help you make the decision, try this; picture yourself running from grocery store to grocery store collecting boxes—most of which have no lids, big gaps in the bottoms, and no handles on the sides. Next envision yourself pouring through the recycling box to unearth newspapers for wrapping endless dishes and other precious cargo.

Forget about doing it yourself! Hire a mover! Start looking for a reputable company right away. Before you decide on a mover, you need to know about their track record (what they actually do as opposed to what they say they do) and their policies. Start by asking for recommendations from people you know and respect—people with high standards. These may be friends, co-workers, employers or real estate agents.

MAKE A CHECKLIST:

Are they efficient? (Clean, thorough, careful, and diligent—no snoozing on the job)

Are they punctual? (Show up when they say they will)

Can the driver read a map? (U-hoo, where are you?)

Will possessions arrive damage-free? (Delivered in the same condition you last saw them)

Will they stick to their estimate? (Should be within a reasonable percentage of the quote)

Will they supply enough crates and buffering materials? (No wasted time tracking down packing materials)

Will they move everything you need them to move? (Some items may have to be shipped by other means)

Are they bonded and licensed? (Paid their dues and, theoretically, playing by the rules)

Has the Better Business Bureau had any complaints? (Anybody gunning for them?)

KEEP 2 LISTS: 1) moving companies recommended

2) moving companies from Hell. It's important to have both because they'll all start sounding the same after awhile and, depending on who you talk to, you might get both good and bad comments about the same company.

Next, when you've finished your initial research, choose three or four companies at the top of your list and get the following information from them:

Based on the size of your current dwelling and the amount of furnishings and possessions, what will it cost to make the move if: You pack? They pack?

This price includes what?

This price does not include what?

Do they unpack or do you?

Will they move furniture into position?

Will they remove their shoes before tramping on the white carpet?

How long has the company been in business?

Will they provide a written estimate?

What sorts of guarantees and assurances do they offer with regard to safe handling of goods, timely arrival and special services? Now that you have all the data, consider their attitude when speaking with them initially. Was your contact person courteous, helpful, candid? Take all this into consideration and make your decision based on the service you expect, not solely on the bottom-line price.

Once you've decided on a mover, prepare for the Big Day. Book the move. Reserve well ahead, and try not to schedule your move at the end of the month when everyone else is also making tracks.

A. Help prepare the kids for their new circumstances

Start subscribing to newspapers in your future town and see what's going on for kids.

Try to enroll your children ahead of time in any activities that may be of interest to them.

If the new home is not too far away, take the children for a drive to scope things out.

If the new home is too far for personal inspection, take photos of the house and surrounding area.

Go on the Internet with them and listen to a local radio station and or get Chamber of Commerce and tourist information data.

Talk to teachers at the new school and ask for someone to recommend an E-mail pal. Now your child can correspond with a peer and gather news that's important to them. Additionally they will have someone to meet immediately upon arrival.

Get the kids to look at a photo of their new room and design a layout. Draw-in where they want their furniture and decorations to go.

B. Take care of business at both ends of your move:

Cancel newspaper subscriptions

Re-direct magazines and mail

Cancel or transfer phone numbers

Disconnect and re-connect electrical, gas, water, and other utilities

Check with your insurance to see what's covered and what isn't. Get extra insurance if necessary.

Transfer your bank accounts and prescriptions

Video tape or photograph all your possessions and keep this record with you as part of your personal luggage when you move. You may need this information for comparison purposes if something is lost, broken or damaged along the way.

Prepare to have locks changed at the other end. If your new home has been previously lived in (or even if you’re the first occupants) you never know how many keys are in circulation with previous tenants and tradesmen.

Alarm systems - arrange to disconnect or uninstall system in old home and re-install in new one.

Remove or cancel your cable or satellite system.

Smoke alarms – bring new batteries and/or smoke alarms (if needed) to your new home (you might want to consider a carbon monoxide detector if your new home doesn’t have one).

If at all possible visit your new home and take some measurements and make a quick drawing of the rooms, so you can decide where your major pieces of furniture will fit (and look fabulous!)

C. Deal with your possessions — Clean! Sort! Chuck!

This is an excellent opportunity to get rid of all the items you never use. Be brutal. When you're making a fresh start in a new place, you don’t need to be weighted down with debris. Not all stored items are necessarily garbage but if you're not using them, they're excess baggage. Give them to someone less fortunate than yourself or if you have the time and need the money, sell them. Get the kids to do the same.

D. Plants

Most plants don't survive moves if there's any distance or discomfort (heat, cold etc.) involved. If you have a particular plant that you must take because you have nurtured it through all those childhood diseases, and you feel it's hearty enough now to battle the elements, your best bet is to carry it with you in your own vehicle. If you're taking a chance on shipping it with other items, make sure it's in a break- and leak-proof

container, not glass or pottery. If you're traveling within the country or internationally check with government departments of agriculture to see whether transporting live plants is even legal. For more information, consider checking with local nurseries and gardening clubs and associations.

E. Clean – Empty - Store

Of course you want to clean your home for the next person, just as you want the person ahead to clean for you. But beyond that you should clean the things you are taking with you, so you can start fresh in your new home. Area carpets, drapes and off season clothes should be cleaned and left in their packaging, ready for the move.

Be sure to empty propane tanks and anything else with flammable substances, like your lawn mower or barbeque.

Defrost the freezer.

Store items you will not need or use immediately.

Make backups of all important computer data and carry the disks with you.

If your kids use the computer, help them make backups of their “Favorites” and e-mail address books.

Packing for adults. Whether doing it yourself, or having the packing done for you, a little organization is necessary. And there are some items you will want to take with you regardless of your faith in the moving company. First decide which items will travel with you. At the very least, these should be:

suit cases with a few days worth of clothing

jewelry, small antiques and heirlooms

medications and toiletries

insurance papers

bill of lading from the moving company

all other valuable documents and files

photos of your possessions

money

kids, spouses, pets – (don’t laugh, some people need to be told this!)

Even if you are not hand-packing everything yourself, you should prepare labels and lists of items that will go together in each box. Label the boxes at least by the room: John's bedroom, master bathroom, kitchen, games room, family room, did we mention KITCHEN….

Packing for kids. For the most part, if they're old enough, you should let them do their own packing. That way they'll know where everything is and their own logic will determine what goes together.

Encourage them to make their own labels and decorate the boxes.

Ask them to put bedding and toiletries in their dresser drawers to ensure everything's handy after a long day. Or ask if they want to "camp" their first couple of nights in sleeping bags and foamies, and prepare for that option instead.

Get them to pack an activity box for the journey. Put in the box any digital games, CDs, books, pillows or comfort items they might want for the trip. Also in this box they might transport their own valuables such as a bankbook, address book, autograph book, photo album, report card, money.

Ask one of the kids to care for any family pets and explain that moving can be traumatic for four legged critters as well as two.

Drapes & Blinds – Here’s something you may not have thought of, if your new home does not come with window coverings you will want something on your windows before you spend your first night in your new home. If you have had custom drapes or blinds made up, make sure you can find them easily. Otherwise be prepared to drape some sheets or blankets over your windows.

Saying goodbye to the old place

When talking to your children, be sure to stress the importance of staying out of harm's way by allowing the movers to work safely and efficiently without worrying about tripping over kids, toys, and pets. Have an adult on hand to talk to the movers as they are loading, in case they have questions. Remember, first on is last off, and you may want some last items first. Beyond a bed and bedding, you will want to unpack the “main stuff” in the kitchen and bathroom first.

In the bathroom that will be soap, toilet paper, towels, dental items, shampoo, razor, and hair dryer.

In the kitchen, you'll want the coffee maker, kettle, dishtowels, detergent, cutlery, and a few mugs and plates. You will probably be too tired to cook, so don't worry about pots and pans and food right now. Consider ordering in, or picking up deli dishes along the way.

You will probably also want a broom and some cleaning supplies.

Once everything is packed-up and in the van and car, do one last check. Make sure everything is turned off and nothing is left in closets, cupboards, or storage spaces.

Turning your new house into a home

Arrive before the movers and make a good impression on the neighbors by ensuring their driveways are not blocked, their lawns mutilated or their flowers and shrubs mangled. Check out your new home and decide where the major pieces of furniture will go BEFORE they arrive.

Be sure the movers do it your way! Once the movers arrive, pull out your drawing or your layout plan. Ask the movers to place furniture in their already-designated spots. That way you won't be straining to move furniture back and forth or up and down stairs for days on end. Have boxes deposited in the appropriate rooms.

To tip or not to tip, that is the question. If the movers have provided excellent service, you might consider giving each person a tip (one consultant recommends $25 - $50 per person for a full day). A beverage and snack would be good, too.

Check for damage. Check all appliances, plumbing, and electrical outlets to ensure everything is in working order. If something is amiss notify the moving company then introduce yourself to your new neighbors and find out about good repair people in your area. (This can be a good icebreaker)

To each his own. Get family members to unpack and arrange their own things, so each has a say in their new surroundings. This encourages them to participate and they will feel more comfortable with the choices they've made for themselves rather than choices made for them by someone else.

ET phone home! Let your kids call their friends or grandparents or others they may want to share their excitement with.

Know the basics about your new home. Make sure you know where your electrical fuse box is located and how to shut off your water and gas.

Safety first. It won’t take long to find out where the nearest hospital, police station and fire station are located and post their telephone numbers in your kitchen for quick and easy reference.

Nighty night! Rome wasn’t built in a day, do what you can to make you and your family comfortable then call it a day. Have a good night's sleep in your new home, surrounded by family and personal treasures! (Now that’s a happy ending)

Consider the safety of your children in a new neighborhood

It is conceivable that the kids will want to get out of the house to explore their new surroundings. Before they do, be sure they have in their pockets some identification—something showing what their names are and what their parents' names are, their new address and a land phone or cell phone number where you can be reached. Before they go to school, make sure they have the school bus numbers and exact locations of the stops. If

your family will be staying a in a hotel or motel for awhile before moving into your new home, you will want to supply the kids with the name, address, and phone number of their interim residence as well. Also, even if you need to take time off work, plan to be at your new or interim home for your kids when they get home. Enjoy their company and share in their joys, frustrations, and new experiences. Help them organize or re-organize their belongings, and wander the neighborhood with them. Take pleasure in your new beginning.

In conclusion:

Everyone should be involved in the move from start to finish. Plan it well and include your children every stage of the way. Be sure both you and the children have checklists and activities that are productive and inspiring. Get rid of anything you don't need, and take an inventory of everything that's to be transported. Pack carefully and label everything accordingly. Take the time to familiarize yourself and your children

with the new surroundings before and after the physical move. Be kind to your pets. The more planning that goes into your move, the smoother the transition will be for everyone.

Additional Information:

http://doityourself.com/realestate/movingwithkids.htm DoItYourself.com

http://www.cendantmobility.com/moving/default.html Cendant Mobility

http://relocatecanada.com/ Canadian Relocation Systems

http://www.avatar-moving.com/kb/doc_mikestips.html It's Your Move by Michael Perkins

http://www.uhaul.com/tips/general_tips.html U-Haul International