by Erica Beiser
Something that becomes a very quick reality when moving is School. Once children start going to school, it becomes a very big part of their lives. The thought of having to leave behind their teacher and friends can be devastating. I have some suggestions for making the transition easier.

Before leaving the child’s old school behind throw a “going away party,” with the okay of school staff members. Have your child make up a small bag with a picture of him or herself, a note telling friends how much they mean to him or her, and a index card with your new address. Everyone loves a pen pal!!

Contact the new school your child will be attending. Find out what activities are available before or after school, including clubs and gatherings with other students. These kinds of activites help all children interact and make new friends. Once you have established yourself in your new home, invite a couple of your child’s new-found friends and parents over on the weekend for coffee. This will let you also make new acquaintances, as your children make new friends.

Remember that a playmate for a younger child is a very important part of the transition to a new city. Your Barrett Moving and Storage move coordinator may be able to provide other ideas as well, depending on the location you are moving to. Smile & Happy Moving.

by Eliza Freiday

Your belongings mean a lot to you and your family. The meaning can be in family history – photos, antiques, heirlooms; monetary investment; or just plain enjoyment. When the time comes to move your possessions, we want to be able to help you reduce your risk of damage.

Choosing your mover wisely is the first step in protecting your belongings. Check out each mover’s record of loss prevention and claims. It’s one of those things we don’t like to think about when moving, but it’s important to know that your mover has policies, procedures, and processes in place to prevent damage or loss, and to take care of you if damage or loss happens.

How does the company train its drivers, movers and packers?
Do they have a formal loss prevention philosophy and process?
What is their track record? How many claims for each 100 moves? What’s the average dollar amount?
How quickly do they settle claims?
What options for valuation protection do they offer?

Gathering and evaluating this information is the first step in protecting your belongings.