A house move is a logistical exercise for adults and an emotional one for everybody else. Children lose their bedroom, their routine and sometimes their school. Pets simply do not understand what is happening.
Here is what works, drawn from a lot of family moves across Hull and East Yorkshire.
Preparing children before the move
- Tell them early and honestly. Children handle change far better with notice than with surprise.
- Show them the new house if you can, or photos and a map if you cannot. Walk past the new school.
- Give them a job. Packing their own toy box, labelling their own cartons, choosing their new room colour.
- Keep the last box and the first box the same. Their room should be the last packed and the first unpacked.
Age by age
Toddlers and preschoolers
They will not grasp the timeline but they will absolutely pick up on your stress. Keep nap and mealtimes as normal as possible, and arrange childcare for the day itself.
Primary age
Old enough to help and to worry. Involve them in the practical side and be specific about what will stay the same — same toys, same bed, same family.
Teenagers
Usually the hardest, especially mid school year. The loss of friends is real, so be concrete about how they will stay in touch and give them genuine say over their new room.
Moving day with children
If at all possible, have young children elsewhere for the day. If that is not an option:
- Pack a day bag — snacks, drinks, tablet, chargers, favourite toy, spare clothes
- Set up one safe room at each end, away from the front door and the van
- Make their bedroom the first room assembled at the new house
- Do not plan to cook. Order in.
Moving with dogs and cats
Animals should never be in the house while it is being loaded. Open doors, strangers and heavy items are a genuine risk.
- Best option: a day at kennels, cattery, or with someone they know
- If they must stay: one closed room with a clear sign on the door, food, water and their bed
- Update the microchip — this is the one people forget, and it is on our change of address checklist
- Register with a new vet before you move, not after
Settling a cat into a new home
Cats bond to territory more than to people. Keep them indoors for at least two weeks, confined to one room at first, and let them expand at their own pace.
Settling a dog
Dogs settle faster but need routine. Walk the new neighbourhood on day one, keep feeding times identical, and set their bed up early so the house smells like them.
Reduce the chaos: let someone else pack
With small children or animals in the house, the single biggest stress reducer is not doing the packing yourself. Our packing services can wrap the whole house the day before, so moving day is just the move.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to move during term time or the holidays?
School holidays cause less disruption to friendships and schooling, but they are also the busiest time for removal companies — so book well ahead.
How long do children take to settle after a move?
Most settle within a few weeks once routine returns. Getting bedrooms set up on day one makes a noticeable difference.
Can pets travel in the removal van?
No. Animals must travel with you, in your own vehicle, properly restrained.
Planning a move in Hull or East Yorkshire?
Hardakers have been moving families and businesses across Hull, Beverley, Cottingham, Hessle and the East Riding since 1870. Call 01482 323069, request a free quote or get in touch and we will talk you through your options — no obligation.
