Moving is often considered one of the most stressful activities that an individual goes through. For adults, it is often a time of uncertainty and financial strain; and for children, it can take them out of normal surroundings and comfort zone. Even family pets are affected as they also have to get used to new surroundings.
When moving to a new city or town, psychologists suggest that parents tell children of the move right away. This will affect the children as well as give children enough time to deal with their emotions. Also, this allows them to process this event and ask questions such as where will they go to school.
Out of all the members of a family, children are the ones who will suffer the most during the move. Especially if they have been in the same home since birth. They will have grown up in one area and have gone to the local school, made friends there. For them, even just the thought of moving away from everything that they are comfortable with is devastating. Also, they will have made other friends and they will be leaving them behind too when moving to a new home.
It is therefore considered appropriate when deciding on how to break the moving news to your family. Explain to the children clearly the reasons why the move has to be made. Depending on their ages, appropriate language should be used. so that they understand exactly why the family is moving. Also, the move is not being made because of anything that they may have done.
Moving is also difficult for adults – even if they are the ones that made the decision to move. Apart from leaving their friends, if they are employed they will also be leaving colleagues and, above all, a job they are used to doing in a place where they have become used to the systems and rules.
Moving is also an expensive and time-consuming activity in itself. Packing up everything in the present home which is to be moved to the new location is exhausting unless you are able to afford professional movers to do the job. It can also be an emotional experience if one has to throw or give away items that cannot be taken to the new home. It is important for children that all their possessions are taken to their new home, to create a small sense of stability in their new and unfamiliar surroundings.
Breaking news to your kids is never easy, but Men on the Move has a lot of other tips to help your next move!
Winter is harsh and cold weather moving can make a difficult job even worse. Here are a few cold weather moving tips that should help when moving in winter.
Snow/Ice – It is important to remember that you hired a moving company on moving day not a snow removal company. Before your moving company arrives, your driveway, walkways, sidewalks, back decks, and basement walkouts should be clear of all snow and ice. You can save time (which is money on some types of moves) by making sure this is done.
Doors – If you are 100% against having the front door left open, then as the customer it is your responsibility to keep the door open. You should have a friend or family member playing doorman for the moving crew for the entire move. You wouldn’t want a moving technician carrying your expensive flat screen TV while trying to open a door. A third mover or more time to work around this issue… again might cost you more.
Protecting Floors – In most cases, the company can lay a moving blanket at the entryway to keep mud or sludge from being be tracked into the home during the relocation. Typically for an additional fee, the moving company will lay plastic carpet protector along the main walkways of the home before the moving begins. There are logistical, liability, and safety concerns associated with movers wearing any type of disposable shoe covers. Check with your moving company before the scheduled moving day.
Electronics – Extreme temperature changes can cause condensation build up on the high tech circuits. Consumer electronic items such as computers, laptops, DVD players, TVs, stereos are subject to this. It is best for your electronics to acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours before plugging everything in and setting it up.
Washers – Even though your washer should be drained before moving it, the washer will always maintain a little water. Components like the mixer valve, pump housing and internal hose areas may have moisture. Using your washer while water is frozen in these components can result in damage to belts, hoses and other internal parts of the washer. Your washer should only be operated at a temperature of above 60°F.
Dryers – Like most things when subject to freezing temperatures, igniters and heating elements in the dryer can become brittle. Operating the dryer will cause a sudden temperature change and may damage internal parts. Your dryer should only be operated at a temperature of above 60°F.
Refrigerators – A refrigerator may be plugged in for use the day of the move, but the ice maker should not be connected to the water supply for at least 24 hours. Moisture in the solenoid valve, supply lines and cold-water reservoir may be frozen. This will hinder the normal operation of the icemaker. If the cold water reservoir was not drained before the move started, it could be frozen solid causing hairline cracks in the water reservoir. It is very important to let all components of the ice maker system reach operating temperature first. Then a thorough check can be completed after hooking up the water supply.
Open doors and lower thermostat settings are typical moving day phenomenon. So remember to think of your pets and indoor plants as well when moving in winter.