MOVING TIPS

Moving with Children

Children will often embrace the idea of moving if they are involved in the process. Here are some tips that will help your children before, during and after the relocation process.

* Talk to your children and explain about the upcoming move. Pay attention to their reactions and let them ask questions.
* Include your children in making plans for the move. For example, take them house-hunting with you.
* Help your children learn about the new area.
* Let them help decide how their new rooms are to be arranged and decorated.
* Encourage children to exchange addresses and phone numbers with their friends.
* Have each child help pack a special box with his or her most treasured possessions-they can even decorate the outside of the box so they can quickly identify it in your new home.
* Take a "family break" as soon as the major unpacking is done. Don't try to do everything when you arrive.
* Parents should spend time after the move listening to each child about new schools and new friends.
* Enroll each child in activities similar to those he or she was involved with at the old home to keep continuity.
* Follow progress in new schools. Accompanying your children to school the first few days may ease tension.
* Any lingering abnormalities (loss of appetite, insomnia, etc.) should be reported to a doctor.
* If your move involves suburban to rural, or vice versa, caution children about new situations they will face.

Moving with Pets

Because pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, pet owners want to help them adjust quickly. The following tips will help do just that.

Transportation of Pets

    * Pets cannot be shipped on moving vans.
    * Pets often become frightened and may try to run away. Keep your pet on a leash when outside.
    * Your pet should wear a special identification tag with its name, your name and where you can be reached.
    * Consider sending smaller pets by air express.
    * Consult with your veterinarian concerning mild sedation of your pet during the trip

Air Travel Checklist

    *Make reservations well in advance. Follow airline instructions.
    * Obtain a shipping container a week or two in advance. Familiarize your pet with it by placing the pet in it for a few minutes each day. Gradually lengthen the time until the pet seems to be at ease with it.
    *Carefully schedule boarding and shipping arrangements for your pet to assure that the pet is well cared for until you are able to receive it at your new home.
    *Feed the pet no less than five or six hours before flight time. Give the pet a drink of water no less than two hours before the flight.
    *If your pet is accompanying you, arrive at the terminal 45 minutes before normal check-in time.
    *If shipping the pet, get to the freight terminal two hours in advance of the flight.
    *Be certain that names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons responsible for the pet at origin and destination are clearly marked on the container and on the pet's identification tag.
    *Notify the person receiving the pet that it is on the way. Give them the flight and waybill number.
    * Pets can usually be picked up within 90 minutes of flight arrival