How to Make Moving with Kids and Pets Easier
- Ed Kowalski
- Nov 4
- 16 min read
Moving house ranks among life's most stressful experiences, but when you add children and pets into the mix, the complexity multiplies exponentially. Suddenly, you're not just coordinating logistics and packing boxes—you're also managing anxious toddlers asking endless questions, comforting confused pets, maintaining routines amidst chaos, and somehow keeping everyone calm while your entire world gets packed into cardboard boxes.
If you're planning a family relocation in Devon or preparing for house removals in Exeter, you're probably feeling the weight of responsibility already. How do you explain the move to a five-year-old? What do you do with the dog on moving day? How can you possibly pack when the kids need constant attention? And perhaps most importantly, how do you keep everyone—humans and animals alike—feeling safe and secure during such a major transition?
The good news is that moving with kids and pets doesn't have to be the nightmare many parents fear. With proper planning, the right strategies, and support from experienced professionals like Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter, you can transform what might seem like an impossible juggling act into a manageable, even positive, family experience. We've helped countless families across Exeter and Devon navigate this exact situation, and we've learned what works and what doesn't.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every stage of moving with children and pets, from the initial announcement through to settling into your new Devon home. Whether you're moving across Exeter or relocating from Torquay to Barnstaple, these practical, tested strategies will help reduce stress, maintain family harmony, and ensure both your two-legged and four-legged family members adjust smoothly to their new surroundings.
Removals Devon — Expert Tips for Stress-Free Family Moves
When families contact us at Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter about house removals, one of the most common concerns we hear is: "How do we manage this with young children and pets?" It's a legitimate worry. Unlike adults who can intellectually understand that moving represents progress or opportunity, children and animals experience it primarily as disruption and uncertainty.
The key to a stress-free move lies in recognizing that your family's emotional wellbeing is just as important as the logistics of transporting your belongings. A perfectly executed move means nothing if your children are traumatized or your pets are terrified. That's why professional movers who understand family dynamics make such a difference—they don't just move your furniture; they help preserve your family's sense of security during upheaval.
Devon presents unique considerations for family moves. If you're relocating to one of the county's more rural areas, your children might be excited about garden space and countryside adventures, but anxious about leaving friends behind. Pets, particularly cats, can struggle with the transition from urban to rural environments or vice versa. Understanding these Devon-specific factors helps you prepare more effectively.
Creating Your Family Moving Timeline
Start planning at least eight to twelve weeks before your moving date if possible. This timeline gives you space to prepare everyone gradually rather than rushing through important conversations and preparations. Break your timeline into manageable phases:
Weeks 8-12: Initial discussions with children, researching your new neighborhood, beginning to declutter and sort belongings.
Weeks 6-8: Involve children in age-appropriate planning, start collecting packing materials, arrange pet care for moving day, contact removal companies for quotes.
Weeks 4-6: Begin packing non-essential items, maintain normal routines as much as possible, take children to visit the new neighborhood if feasible.
Weeks 2-4: Pack systematically room by room, prepare a "moving day" bag for each family member, arrange temporary accommodation for pets if needed.
Final week: Pack remaining items, confirm all arrangements with your Exeter removal company, have final family discussion about moving day expectations.
One family we recently helped move from Exeter to Exmouth had three children under ten and two cats. The mother told us afterward that the timeline was their lifesaver—it prevented last-minute panic and gave the children a sense of control because they knew what to expect each week. The predictability reduced their anxiety significantly.
Choosing the Right Removal Company for Families
Not all removal companies understand family dynamics. When you're evaluating options for removals in Devon, consider these family-specific factors:
Flexibility with timing: Can they accommodate school schedules? Are they willing to work around nap times for very young children?
Experience with family moves: Do they understand that moving day with kids is different from a standard move?
Patience and professionalism: Will their team remain calm and friendly even when your toddler is having a meltdown?
Comprehensive service options: Can they handle packing so you can focus on your family? Do they offer storage if you need it?
At Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter, we've developed our services specifically with families in mind. We know that moving day with children requires extra patience, that timings might need to shift if a child is unwell, and that parents are managing multiple priorities simultaneously. Our team is trained to work efficiently around family life, not despite it.
How to Make Moving with Kids and Pets Easier — Step-by-Step Guide
The foundation of a successful family move is preparation, communication, and maintaining as much normalcy as possible throughout the process. Let's break this down into actionable steps that address both the practical and emotional aspects of moving with kids and pets.
Step 1: Have the Initial Conversation Early
Children need time to process major changes. As soon as you know you're moving, tell them. The conversation should be age-appropriate but honest. Younger children need simple, concrete explanations: "We're moving to a new house with a bigger garden where you can play." Older children can handle more detail and should be involved in discussions about why the move is happening.
Be prepared for mixed reactions. Some children will be excited; others will be devastated. Both responses are valid. Create space for their feelings without trying to immediately "fix" negative emotions. Phrases like "I understand you're sad about leaving your school friends, and that makes sense" validate their experience.
One technique that works beautifully is creating a "moving story" for younger children. This can be a simple book you make together with drawings or photos, explaining the move as an adventure. Include pictures of the new house, neighborhood, and any positive features like a park nearby or a bigger bedroom.
Step 2: Involve Children in Age-Appropriate Ways
Giving children some control reduces anxiety. The level of involvement depends on their age:
Ages 2-5: Let them pack a special box of treasured toys, choose colors for their new room, or help with simple tasks like putting soft items into boxes.
Ages 6-10: Involve them in sorting their belongings (what to keep, donate, or discard), researching their new neighborhood online, and packing their own room with supervision.
Ages 11+: Include them in family decisions where appropriate, let them plan their new room layout, encourage them to research local activities and clubs they might join.
The key is balance—enough involvement to feel included, but not so much responsibility that they feel burdened by adult concerns.
Step 3: Maintain Routines as Long as Possible
Children thrive on routine, and moving disrupts everything. To minimize stress, keep as many routines intact as you can for as long as you can. This means:
Maintaining regular mealtimes even amidst packing chaos
Keeping bedtime rituals consistent
Continuing normal activities like sports clubs or music lessons right up until moving day
Preserving weekend family traditions
Yes, this makes the move slower and more complicated for you as a parent, but the emotional payoff is significant. When everything else is changing, these anchors of normalcy provide crucial security.
Step 4: Prepare Pets Gradually
Pets pick up on household stress and changes in routine. They don't understand why their environment is being disrupted, which can trigger anxiety-related behaviors. Preparation varies by pet type:
For Dogs:
Maintain their exercise and feeding schedule religiously
Start introducing them to pet carriers or travel crates weeks before the move if they'll need them
Keep their favorite toys, blankets, and comfort items easily accessible and unpacked until the last moment
Consider whether they'd be calmer at a trusted friend's house on moving day or with you (this depends on the individual dog's temperament)
For Cats:
Cats are particularly territorial and often struggle with moves
Keep them in one quiet room on moving day with their litter tray, food, water, and familiar items
Transport them in secure carriers with familiar-smelling blankets
Set up a "safe room" in the new house before letting them explore
Don't let them outside in the new location for at least two weeks
For Small Pets (rabbits, hamsters, birds, etc.):
Move them in their usual cages if possible
Keep them away from the main moving activity
Maintain their normal environment as much as possible
Transport them in a quiet vehicle separately from removal trucks if feasible
We once moved a family from Tiverton to Exeter who had two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit. They arranged for a friend to take the dogs for the day, kept the cat in the upstairs bathroom with a clear "Do Not Enter" sign for our team, and transported the rabbit themselves in the family car. This thoughtful planning meant the pets experienced minimal stress, and the move proceeded smoothly without worried animals underfoot.
How to Make Moving with Kids in Exeter — A Local's Perspective
Exeter offers wonderful family-friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community—all factors that make it a popular choice for families. However, moving within or to Exeter presents specific considerations that can impact how children experience the transition.
Understanding Exeter's Family-Friendly Areas
Different areas of Exeter suit different family needs. If you're moving to Exeter, understanding the character of various neighborhoods helps you prepare your children for what to expect:
Pinhoe and Whipton offer suburban family living with good schools and green spaces. Children moving here from more urban areas often appreciate the quieter streets and community feel.
Pennsylvania and St. Leonard's provide closer proximity to the city center while maintaining residential character. These areas work well for families who want walkability and access to amenities.
Topsham delivers a village feel while being part of greater Exeter, with the added appeal of waterside living. Children often love exploring the quay and the sense of having a distinct community identity.
Exeter City Centre apartments suit families who want urban convenience, though children may need adjustment time if they're used to gardens and outdoor play space.
When moving with children in Exeter, consider visiting your new neighborhood before the move. Take them to local parks, walk past their new school, find the nearest library or community center. This reconnaissance mission transforms the abstract concept of "new home" into something tangible and less frightening.
School Transitions
If your move involves changing schools, this often represents the biggest concern for children. Contact the new school as early as possible. Many Exeter schools are wonderfully accommodating about pre-move visits, allowing your child to spend a day experiencing their new environment and meeting their teacher.
Timing matters significantly. Moving during school holidays when possible provides adjustment time before facing the double transition of new home and new school simultaneously. However, this isn't always feasible, particularly if the move relates to work commitments.
One mother we worked with in Exeter had a particularly effective strategy: she created a "school transition book" with her eight-year-old daughter before they moved from Barnstaple to Exeter. The book included photos from visits to the new school, pictures of the uniform, information about clubs and activities, and even photos of the route they'd walk each morning. By moving day, the school felt familiar rather than frightening.
Maintaining Social Connections
Modern technology makes it easier than ever for children to maintain friendships across distance. Help your children:
Exchange contact information with close friends before the move
Set up regular video calls to stay connected
Plan return visits if feasible and appropriate
Join social media or messaging groups (age-appropriate and supervised)
However, also encourage them to be open to new friendships. It's a delicate balance—honoring their existing relationships while helping them embrace new opportunities.
Leveraging Devon's Family-Friendly Features
Devon offers incredible opportunities for families—beaches, countryside, National Trust properties, parks, and outdoor activities. Frame the move positively by highlighting these adventures. "Yes, you're leaving behind your current school, but now we're close enough to visit the beach regularly" or "We'll be near Dartmoor where we can go hiking and maybe see wild ponies."
This isn't about dismissing their concerns but about helping them see that change involves both loss and gain.
Preparing Your Pets for a Move — Keep Them Calm and Safe
While children can be prepared through conversation and involvement, pets require different strategies based on routine, familiarity, and minimizing disruption. Professional movers who understand animal behavior can make a significant difference in how smoothly this aspect of your move proceeds.
The Weeks Before: Gradual Preparation
Start making small changes to help pets adjust. If you're using pet carriers for transport, get them out several weeks early. Place treats inside, let the pet explore voluntarily, and create positive associations. This gradual exposure prevents the carrier from suddenly appearing on moving day and triggering immediate anxiety.
For dogs who'll be traveling a long distance in the car, take practice drives. Start with short journeys, gradually increasing duration. This builds their tolerance and helps identify any travel sickness issues you'll need to address.
Maintain vet records and ensure medications are current. If you're moving to a new area of Devon, research vets in advance and register with a new practice promptly after arrival.
Moving Day Strategy for Pets
Moving day itself is chaotic—strangers entering your home, furniture disappearing, unusual noises and activity. This is overwhelming for pets. Your options depend on the animal's temperament:
Option 1: Professional Pet Care or Boarding For anxious pets, spending moving day at a familiar boarding facility or with trusted friends might be kindest. They avoid the stress entirely and can be collected once you're settled.
Option 2: Designated Safe Room If keeping the pet with you, designate one room they'll stay in throughout the day. This should be:
Clearly marked with signs for the removal team
Equipped with food, water, litter tray (for cats), and comfort items
Quiet and away from main activity
The last room loaded from
At Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter, we're accustomed to working around pets. We've managed moves where cats, dogs, rabbits, and even pet chickens needed accommodation. Clear communication about your pet situation helps us plan our approach and ensure animal safety.
Option 3: Off-Site During Main Activity Take dogs for an extended walk during peak loading times, or arrange for a friend to pet-sit for several hours. This keeps them safe and calm while allowing the removal team to work efficiently.
The Journey to Your New Devon Home
Transport pets separately from removal vans whenever possible. They'll be more comfortable in a familiar vehicle with a family member. Ensure:
Adequate ventilation
Regular stops for dogs (every 2-3 hours on long journeys)
Water availability
Temperature control (never leave pets in hot vehicles)
Secure containment (carriers for cats, harnesses for dogs)
Small pets in cages should be transported carefully, ensuring the cage is secure and won't tip or slide. Cover bird cages partially to reduce stress from visual stimulation.
Settling Pets into Your New Home
Arrival at the new house requires careful management. For dogs, immediately establish where they'll toilet and take them there first. This sets expectations and provides familiarity.
For cats, set up one room with all their essentials before letting them explore further. This staged introduction prevents them from becoming overwhelmed or hiding in inaccessible places. Some cats adjust within days; others need weeks. Patience is essential.
Keep routines absolutely consistent in the new location. Feed at the same times, walk the same patterns (as much as possible), and maintain familiar bedtime arrangements. These consistent anchors help pets understand that while the location changed, their fundamental life structure remains stable.
A family we moved from Exeter to Crediton had a particularly anxious rescue dog. We scheduled their move for late afternoon to avoid peak stress times, and the owners arranged for a dog walker to collect him mid-morning and return him after we'd finished loading. At the new house, they set up his bed in exactly the same position relative to the furniture as it had been in the old house. These thoughtful touches helped the dog adjust remarkably quickly.
Packing an entire household while caring for children feels impossible. The key is working smarter, not harder, and knowing when to call in professional help.
The Essential "Open Last, Unpack First" Boxes
Create separate boxes for each family member containing items needed for the first 24-48 hours in your new home:
Changes of clothing
Toiletries and medications
Phone chargers and essential electronics
Basic bedding (or mark bedding boxes clearly)
Favorite comfort items (stuffed animals, special blankets)
Snacks and easy-to-prepare foods
Label these boxes clearly and transport them in your personal vehicle so they're immediately accessible. Having these essentials prevents the frustration of searching through boxes when everyone's tired and hungry.
Child-Specific Packing Strategies
Give each child a special backpack or small bag they're responsible for. Let them choose items that matter most to them—within reason. This might include:
Favorite toys or books
Art supplies
Photos or mementos
Comfort items
Entertainment for moving day (tablets, games, coloring books)
Older children can pack their own rooms with supervision. Provide boxes, markers, and clear instructions. Check their work to ensure fragile items are properly protected, but let them maintain ownership of the process.
For younger children's items, pack systematically but keep a few favorites unpacked until the last moment. Few things cause toddler meltdowns quite like discovering their beloved teddy bear has disappeared into a box.
The "Moving Day Entertainment Kit"
Prepare a special box of activities to keep children occupied on moving day. Include things they don't usually have access to—new coloring books, special snacks, interesting toys borrowed from friends. This novelty helps maintain interest when boredom might otherwise lead to disruption.
Screen time rules can be relaxed on moving day. Yes, it's not ideal, but keeping children safe, calm, and occupied while removals professionals work around them is the priority.
When to Call Professional Packers
Here's an honest assessment: packing with young children around is exponentially harder than packing alone. If your budget allows, professional packing services provided by companies like Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter represent excellent value for families.
Professional packers work quickly and efficiently, completing in hours what might take you weeks. More importantly, they free you to focus on your family's emotional needs during the transition. You can spend time preparing children, comforting anxious pets, and managing logistics rather than wrapping dishes.
We typically recommend professional packing for families with:
Children under five
Multiple children
Pets requiring significant attention
Both parents working full-time
Limited support network in the area
It's an investment in your family's wellbeing, not just convenience.
The move itself is just one day; settling in is a process that unfolds over weeks and months. How you manage this transition period significantly impacts how quickly your family feels at home.
First Day Priorities
When you arrive at your new Devon home, resist the urge to unpack everything immediately. Instead:
Set up sleeping arrangements first — beds built and made with familiar bedding help everyone rest properly that first night.
Establish the kitchen functionality — you need to prepare meals, so basic kitchen setup takes priority over most other rooms.
Create child comfort zones — get children's rooms to a livable state quickly. They don't need to be perfect, but familiar items visible and accessible provide emotional security.
Settle pets appropriately — follow the strategies discussed earlier, prioritizing their safety and calm.
Order takeaway — seriously, you don't need to cook on moving day. Give yourself permission to keep things simple.
The First Week: Finding Your Rhythm
The first week involves unpacking, organizing, and starting to establish routines in your new space. For children and pets, consistency matters more than perfection. You don't need every box unpacked; you need regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and familiar patterns re-established.
Explore your new Devon neighborhood as a family. Find the nearest park, locate the local shops, identify routes to school or work. These reconnaissance missions help everyone build mental maps of your new area and begin feeling oriented rather than lost.
For pets, this week involves careful supervision and continued routine maintenance. Dogs need to learn new walking routes; cats need gradual introduction to their territory; all pets need reassurance that this new place is now home.
Building Community Connections
One of Devon's great strengths is community spirit, particularly in smaller towns and villages. Help your family integrate by:
Introducing yourselves to neighbors
Visiting local amenities (library, community centers, shops)
Researching clubs and activities for children
Attending community events
Joining local parent groups or social media communities
Children make friends quickly when given opportunities. Arranging playdates, joining local sports clubs, or participating in community activities accelerates social integration.
When to Seek Additional Support
Most children and pets adjust to moves within a few weeks to a few months. However, watch for signs that someone is struggling:
In children:
Persistent sadness or withdrawal beyond initial adjustment
Sleep disturbances continuing past the first few weeks
Regression in behaviors (bedwetting, separation anxiety in previously independent children)
Refusal to engage with new environment or opportunities
Significant changes in appetite or energy levels
In pets:
Ongoing house soiling in previously trained animals
Destructive behavior
Loss of appetite lasting more than a few days
Excessive hiding or withdrawal
Aggressive behavior out of character
If these issues persist, seeking support from professionals—child psychologists, school counselors, or veterinary behaviorists—isn't admitting failure. It's recognizing that some transitions require extra help, and that's completely okay.
Throughout this guide, we've focused on strategies you can implement yourself to make moving with kids and pets easier. However, the support you choose for the physical move itself significantly impacts the entire experience.
At Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter, we've built our reputation on understanding that house removals aren't just about moving boxes—they're about moving lives. When families contact us about removals in Devon, we take time to understand their unique situations. How many children do you have, and what ages? What pets? What specific concerns keep you awake at night about the move?
This information shapes how we approach your move. We schedule timing to minimize disruption to children's routines. We work efficiently to reduce the duration of household chaos. Our team remains patient and professional even when moves don't go exactly to plan—because with families, flexibility isn't optional; it's essential.
We're locals who understand Devon's roads, neighborhoods, and communities. We know which Exeter areas get congested at school run times. We understand that rural Devon locations might mean narrow lanes and creative parking solutions. This local knowledge translates into better planning and fewer surprises on moving day.
Perhaps most importantly, we genuinely care about making your family relocation as stress-free as possible. We've helped families move across Exeter, throughout Devon, and across the UK. We've worked around napping babies, excitable dogs, and nervous cats. We've reassembled children's beds at midnight because a child couldn't sleep without their familiar sleeping environment. These aren't inconveniences—they're the realities of family moves, and we embrace them.
Your Family's New Chapter Starts Here
Moving with kids and pets will never be completely stress-free—there are too many moving parts, quite literally, for everything to go perfectly smoothly. But it doesn't have to be the overwhelming nightmare many parents fear. With thoughtful preparation, age-appropriate involvement of children, careful attention to pet needs, and support from experienced professionals, you can navigate this transition successfully.
Remember that some disruption is normal and temporary. Children are remarkably resilient when they feel secure in their parents' ability to handle challenges. Pets adapt when their routines and care remain consistent. And families emerge from moves closer and stronger when they've navigated the challenge together.
If you're planning a family relocation in Devon or need house removals in Exeter, we'd love to help make your move as smooth as possible. Ed Kowalski Removals Exeter offers free, no-obligation consultations where we discuss your specific situation and provide honest advice about how we can support your family's move.
Contact us today to start planning your stress-free family move. Let us handle the logistics and heavy lifting while you focus on what matters most—helping your children and pets adjust to their exciting new chapter in Devon. Your family deserves a moving experience that's professional, efficient, and compassionate. That's exactly what we deliver.
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