Minimize changes to the child's routine or the addition of new expectations, such as toilet training, weaning, new foods, or a new pet until the child is settled in the new environment.

Involve your young child in the move by encouraging him/her to pack at least one box of his/her own things.

Personalize your child's boxes by providing labels, stickers, rubber stamps, or colored pens to mark his/her own things.

Avoid packing favorite toys, books, bedtime companions, and clothes in moving boxes. Keep those accessible, especially in a long-distance move.

If You Have Older Children:

Help your children say goodbye to friends by encouraging them to have a party or informal gathering. Collect photos and addresses, especially e-mail addresses, and make a scrapbook, album, or video as a keepsake.

Give your children specific jobs to help with the move. Let them know that their cooperation is essential and appreciated.

Encourage your child to investigate your new community by visiting or writing for information, then sharing it with the rest of the family.

Use any contacts you have in the new community through employment, real estate agents, professional organizations, and churches to gather information useful to your child.

Make contact with club or sports-related organizations to encourage those interests in your family's new community.

Contact your child's prospective school for information on registration, sports, clubs, extra-curricular activities, and any testing or health requirements for enrollment.

Try to time your family's move to coincide with the beginning of a new school year or term. Making new friends is easier when a new session is just starting.

Make traveling with your cat or dog more pleasant by reading through these helpful tips and hints. The following is a list of items to pack for your pet:

• Phone number of your regular veterinarian and a referral vet at your destination.
• Bottled water. Pet's stomachs can be upset by a sudden change in water.
• Shot records. *