Boston Movers Blog

You are faced with the decision to move. Making the decision itself can be stressful, especially if you have children. Making the decision itself does not alleviate the stress, unfortunately. As disruptive and stressful as moving can be for parents, the experience can be even more difficult for kids. Kids do not usually take part in the decision to move and they may not understand it.

During the moving process, kids can need some time and special attention. Here are some tips to make the move less stressful for the kids.

Discussing the Move With Kids

No matter what the circumstances, the most important way to prepare kids to move is to talk about it.

Try to give them as much information about the move as soon as possible. Answer questions completely and truthfully, and be receptive to both positive and negative reactions. Even if the move means an improvement in family life, kids don't always understand that and may be focused on the frightening aspects of the change.

Involving kids in planning for the move as much as possible makes them feel like participants in the house-hunting process or the search for a new school. This can make the change feel less like it's being forced on them.

If you're moving locally, try to take your kids to visit the new house (or see it being built) if possible. Explore the new neighborhood.

For interstate moves or international moves, provide as much information as you can about the new home, the new city and state or country. Use the Internet to learn about the community. Learn where kids can participate in favorite activities. See if a relative, friend, or even a real estate agent can take pictures of the new house and new school for your child.

Kids Health

When choosing between moving companies, be selective. These are the people who will be packing, moving, shipping, transporting and possibly providing storage for all of your belongings.

Whether you are about to endeavor on a local move, interstate move or international move, you need to be very confident in who you hire.
 
Many moving companies rent trucks and do minimal interviewing when it comes to the actual movers and drivers.

There are many things you can do to be sure your mover is reliable and reputable. You should certainly talk to several moving companies, and  interview many of them.

Get recommendations – everyone knows someone who has moved.

Go online and do a reference and background check – there are review and referrals for almost anything online, it just takes a minute to look.

Better Business Bureau – The BBB ranks businesses, if the moving company is a member that is a good sign.

Call or e-mail the American Moving and Storage Association, moving.org.

Be sure to check the consumer-advocacy sites like movingscam.com.

You should end up with at least three or four movers to call for an in-home estimate. If it is an interstate move, ask if the moving company to give you a written binding estimate or a binding not-to-exceed estimate. Both types of estimates put a guaranteed cap on what you will pay for your move.

For information or estimate, contact Marathon Moving.

Over the course of time in your home, you take care of your home and yard. Then when it is time to move, you find that you have grown attached to the tree, shrub or bush.

When you move, you can take them with you. Digging up plants and moving them to another location can cause some anxiety, but it isn’t as hard as it seems. Of course a local move will be a lot better on your trees and shrubs both in climate and for transport.

For deciduous shrubs and small trees, or “woody plants”, winter is the best time for moving them because the plant is dormant. This means there is limited risk of transplant shock.  Late winter or early spring is the best time to move outdoor landscaping plants and trees.
 
To dig out the root ball, the bigger the better when digging the hole. But a good rule of thumb is 18”. There is no simple rule of thumb for how deep you should dig, but most plant roots live in the upper 12” of soil.

For a local move, it may be easier to transplant and transport these plants. You can move them in your car so you can take extra care. Or, if you plan to send them in the moving van, be sure the moving company is aware so they can save the appropriate room.
 
For interstate moves, you may have to do a bit more research. If you are moving from the Boston Area to a southern state for example, your favorite plant may not like the climate.

Moving is a stressful time for many people, and one way to reduce that stress is to ensure that you have hired a reputable and professional moving company. Unfortunately there are a number of illegitimate entities out there posing as legitimate movers. Here are some ways to avoid those scams.

Don’t forget that anyone can have a website, so don’t be fooled just because the moving company seems to look legitimate on-line. Actually look for a physical address and take a minute to verify that address on Google maps to be sure that the business and the address exists.

Check on the moving companies operating license. You can check them out with the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s list.

Also, references are very important.

The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) screens moving companies in order to take the guess work out of finding a professional mover. Those moving companies that display the AMSA logo have passed the 7-point screening program and have sworn to uphold a code of ethics.

It is smart to use companies that display the BBB logo, however, some display them w/out authorization. Be sure to verify that the company is authorized to display the BBB logo as well as the AMSA logo.

Most important, get at least 3 written in-home estimates. There are online moving cost calculators, but the only written estimates that count are provided by professional movers in person who visit your home. If someone offers to do an estimate over the phone, be wary, you may be getting scammed.

Avoid moving companies that require large deposits or down payments, or that ask you to pay before you move. In fact, movers are not allowed to require large deposits or pay before move.
 
Click “Moving Company” if you would like more information on your local or interstate move from Marathon Movers.

As you plan a move, there is some stress involved and a lot of things to do. You thought the only thing you had left to do after you move is unpack right? Wrong. Depending on how far you have moved, and if you have a family, there are still some things to. But the light at the end of the tunnel really is daylight rather than an oncoming train.

Here are a few things that need to be done after your move in order to really feel like you can relax.

• Set up your utilities. It is football season, so if you are a football fan, this was probably first on your list of things to do.
• Be sure you have created a “moving file" and keep on your documents and receipts from your move in here. Be extra sure you have your Bill of Lading, paid in full receipt, and any receipts from any hotel stays. You will need all of this information when you prepare your tax returns, as well as for your company if you moved for a job.
• Of course, if you have children you need to register them from school. If you haven’t done so, you should contact their previous school and get their transcripts.
• Register to vote.
• You need to register your car and get new plates if you have made an interstate move. Also, you’ll need a new driver’s license. Be sure you have lots of time and loads of patience for this task. (There are RMV offices in Natick, Watertown, and Newton)
• Be sure that your mail is being forwarded and that your new address is registered.
• Of course, you have probably found a doctor and a dentist, if not, do so. You don’t want to be scrambling when you or your kids are sick or when a tooth gets knocked out while skiing this winter.
• Contact your insurance company. Be sure that your home and auto and any recreational vehicles are covered or get new policies if they are needed.
• You have just moved, and you all need some friends. Go meet the neighbors. If you have kids, the sooner they, and you, know some of your neighbors the happier they will be. Put them on your bikes and go knock on some doors. You’ll be surprised at how happy your neighbors will be to meet you.

Moving is hard, but relocating with families is very tough. When you are moving kids to a new neighborhood, it doesn’t matter if it is a local move or an interstate move. But there are definitely ways to make it easier on the kids. You know what they say – if the kids are happy, Mom’s happy and if Mom’s happy then Dad’s happy. And we definitely want happy parents and kids.

Focusing on the kids’ needs is an important part of making this transition smooth. The relocation industry, says that six in ten transferees have dependent children. So here are some things to think about if you are relocating with children.

1. Kids should be involved - As soon as you know you are moving, you should tell your kids. They need as much time as possible. Make it a fun, exciting event, and focus on all the positives, like a new bedroom.
2. Let them know they can still be in touch with their friends - With today’s digital world, it is much easier to stay in touch than before. Help them get email addresses.
3. Let them house hunt with you – They can feel involved and you get to understand what their concerns are. If it is not possible, show them pictures of the new neighborhood and house.
4. Research the sporting and recreation –Let them know that they can continue in their same activities, but also, after they move, this will give them a direct route to friends.
5. Try and move during the school year or before the school year ends - So many families believe that the beginning of the summer is the best time to move, but this ends up being the worst time. They get to their new neighborhood and have no friends for 10 weeks. If they can move during a school year, they have no choice but to make friends fast, and they spend less time missing their old friends.
6. Take them round the schools too - Organize a tour of their new school so that the kids can get excited. They won’t have to imagine the unknown.
7. Stay positive - Because you are moving, you will have many stressful days, decisions, and more to do. But try and remember this as a positive move for your whole family.

Boston Movers