I remember back in the late 80's when frequent flyer programs and cards were becoming very popular, due to the increase in business travel brought on by prosperous times. Today, however, our global economy has necessitated the growth of another trend. More and more people and families are RELOCATING to new cities, states, and sometimes countries for their companies. For those folks who do this often, there should be a frequent mover's card! I know we would have one. My oldest daughter is not yet four years old, and she's lived in four states. Hopefully, this will slow down for us before she enters school, but in the meantime, it has taught us a lot about how to PLAN for a move and how to prepare ourselves for the CHANGE. Perhaps others would benefit from our learning experience. I've compiled a list of things to think about when moving so that your move goes a little easier.

CALL IT QUITS

Make a list of all your UTILITIES, and don t forget garbage collection (like I did a couple moves back), and stop service with them accordingly. If at all possible, it's best to wait until you have a FORWARDING address for the utilities so that you can still correspond for billing purposes. When canceling your telephone service, have your new number handy so that they can give that information when callers try to reach you at your old number, if you care to have that information available.

PLAN FOR UNPACKING

If given the choice of having the MOVERS unpack you when you reach your destination home, think very hard about whether or not you want this. It has been my experience that it is much easier to unpack yourself. When you do this, you are able to attack boxes in the order in which you choose. Having the movers unpack for you has one advantage: they will REMOVE the cartons and packing papers for you. Other than that, you will feel as though you are much more in control of the task when you do it yourself. And your things will not be SCATTERED all over for you and your family to wade through until you can make a decision about where they go.

KEEPING ITEMS WITH YOU

This box should travel in the family VEHICLE to ensure its safe arrival and to make sure it s with you at all times, since they represent emergency items. Make sure you have set aside important DOCUMENTS pertaining to the move, mortgage papers, closing documents, etc. And always have your checkbook, credit cards, and driver's license with you.

KEEP YOUR KIDS INVOLVED 

Talk constantly to your children about the move. Tell them every DETAIL you can think of. It's important that they can envision strange people putting their things in boxes before it actually happens. Tell them how the boxes will go on a big truck along with the beds, couches, TV, video tapes, toys, beanie friends, dishes, etc. Explain how the truck will safely take your things to your new house and put everything inside! Have your children draw PICTURES of what they think will happen, and then talk about what they draw. As soon as you are in your new home and have a minute to breathe, and before you do anything else, take 20 minutes and have a CELEBRATION party. It might be as simple as cookies and juice and singing a couple songs. Your children will need to feel a part of the activity -- and they will need your focused, stress-free, and loving attention. Finally, take your children's picture sitting on the front porch of your new house on moving day. It's a special moment and a good one to record.