5/1/2006
ALLIED VAN LINES OFFERS EXPERT TIPS TO HELP KIDS BEAT THE MOVING BLUES
Millions of Children Face Relocation Anxiety This Moving Season
CHICAGO, May 1, 2006 — Whether it’s across the country or down the block, there’s no doubt about it: moving can be stressful. Experts agree this is particularly true for young children, who often fear leaving their friends and familiar surroundings for a new home. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 10 million children relocate each year, leaving many parents to struggle with how to create a smooth move for their kids.
The busy 2006 moving season is here (May – September), and Allied Van Lines has teamed up with Thomas Olkowski, Ph.D., a top child psychologist and author of “Moving with Children,” to offer expert advice designed to help parents ease their youngsters through the relocation process.
In addition, Allied is giving parents one more way to create a smooth move for their family by entering the “Kid’s Dream Room” Contest. Beginning May 1 through June 30, 2006, consumers nationwide are invited to visit www.allied.com and submit their tried and true tips for moving with children. One Grand Prize winner will receive a fantasy custom bedroom design for their youngster by Lisa LaPorta, design expert and co-host of HGTV’s “Designed to Sell,” and other great prizes to help make their dream room a reality.
“While moving to a new home is exciting, it often means a new school, new friends and a whole new life for children,” said Dr. Olkowski. “It’s natural for them to feel nervous. Luckily, there are a few simple steps parents can take to calm their child’s fears and make the transition easier for the whole family.”
“As the world’s largest mover of families, we know a parent’s number one priority is their child’s well-being,” said Eileen McCarthy, general manager, Allied Van Lines. “By breaking down a move into easy-to-follow steps for parents, Allied is reinforcing its commitment to simplify the relocation process for millions of Americans on the move.”
Moving With Children 101 – Top Expert Tips
When preparing children for a move, communication is key. Dr. Olkowski advises parents to tell their child about the move as soon as possible – a child should never overhear the news by accident. Schedule regular family meeting times to discuss the move with kids, sharing the details, encouraging their questions and listening to their suggestions. Parents should position the relocation as an exciting adventure with fun opportunities for the family, and children will be more likely to accept the situation in a positive manner. For younger children, consider reading children's books about moving, and talk about the pictures and how the people in the pictures may be feeling.
Before moving to a new home, it is critical that children have a chance to say goodbye. Consider hosting a moving party and give children an opportunity to create scrapbooks and photo albums with their friends. Provide children with address books and autograph books to use when saying goodbye – the books can be used for personal messages from friends and loved ones and are a great way to stay in touch.
During a move, it’s important to provide children with a sense of continuity. Parents should take time to explore the new neighborhood with their children, planning enjoyable activities for the entire family. Make a point to meet the neighbors prior to moving day, and invite the neighborhood children over to get acquainted. Also, contact teachers and principals at prospective schools to inquire about testing, attendance, special programs and extracurricular activities to ensure a smooth transition.
From packing boxes to decorating their new room, one way to ease a child’s fears is to make them part of the moving process. According to design expert Lisa LaPorta, parents can help their kids get excited about their new home by involving them in decorating decisions for their new room. When choosing a color scheme, consider using bright, bold colors, but beware of paint that is too dark for a small space. Resist the urge to design a room around the latest hit movie or cartoon character, as children will quickly outgrow their fascination. Instead, parents should work with their child to create a broad concept for the room, such as a jungle safari or underwater adventure, to help inspire their imagination. Remember that the shell of a room should be generic enough to adapt to the growing interests of a child.
Incorporate the room’s concept into creative furnishings – not just the accessories. Consider using baseball bat-shaped pillows to complement a ball imprint on your child’s comforter, or create a unique curtain rod using a golf club mounted above the windows. Remember that multiple lighting sources are critical for any well-designed room, and storage should be abundant and well organized.
For more expert advice and a FREE “Moving with Children” online brochure, visit www.allied.com. Each year, more than 40 million Americans pack up their belongings and relocate to new homes and communities. More than half of these moves take place between May and September. To recognize this busy time and assist Americans on the move, Allied has declared May as National Moving Month.
About Allied Van Lines
Established in 1928, Allied Van Lines, with more than 500 agent locations in North America, is an experienced leader in household goods moving and specialized transportation services. Allied is one of the established global brands of SIRVA, Inc., (NYSE: SIR), a leader in providing relocation services to corporations, consumers and governments around the world. For more information about Allied Van Lines, visit www.allied.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not historical, but are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon SIRVA, Inc. and its subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those anticipated by management. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation those described under the caption “Business Risks” and other risks described in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports we submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We do not intend, and are under no obligation, to update any particular forward-looking statement included in this release.
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