oRent crates, buy boxes and get packing material – this can be done in advance oPack unnecessary items like knick knacks and anything you can do without until after move – getting this stuff out of way ahead of time will make moving day easier oGet your new house inspected oPut your pay stubs, bank statements and other documentation in a folder for your loan officer oArrainge for utility shut off / reconnect for phones, lights and gas oNotify business associates, friends and family of change of address and new phone numver oPut your new address and phone on checks and business cards oSchedule a final walk through to inspect your new house oFix any items that came up in final walk through for your old house oGet a cerified check to bring to your closing (most banks require this and you’ll really screw up works if you show up with a personal check) oRent a moving truck (and movers unless you are moving yourself) oSchedule move out cleaning so your house is clean for new owners oSchedule your pets to go to a friend or kennel on day of move

Having a moving checklist won't magically make everything happen right but it can help to make things run a little more smoothly!

Lee Dobbins is owner and editor of Moving And More! where you can learn everything about moving including getting your house ready for sale, buying a new house, finding a new job, and getting a mortgage.

Depending on your child’s answers keep probing with thoughtful questions of your own.

LISTEN Listen with respect. Avoid interrupting with your own advice. If you interrupt, your child may shut down and only tell you what you want to hear. Then you’ll be stuck where you started-not knowing what or how your child really thinks.

APPRECIATE Look for thoughts from your child that you can truly praise. Smile, agree, and let your child know what you liked about his or her thoughts. Hopefully, your child will have already changed some old thoughts about cheating, like “It’s okay to cheat if I don’t get caught.”

NO CRITICIZING Why not criticize and lecture? Because you need to reflect on what your child said. You need to consider new ways to influence your child’s thinking toward a stronger healthier character. You need to create a thoughtful plan of your own for your child’s further improvement.

If you follow this 4-Point PLAN you will be giving your child three priceless gifts that all human beings want:

To be heard To be understood To be appreciated

These gifts will bond your child with you and influence his or her character too.

This 4-POINT PLAN is a powerful tool for discussing problems in movies and on TV. You can also use it to discuss real life difficulties at school, in neighborhood, within your family, and, especially, in stories with dilemmas. The next time you have something important to discuss don’t lecture. Next time Probe, Listen, Appreciate, and No criticizing. Try it. You’ll like it. Why? Because this 4-POINT PLAN will get you results you want, an awesome kid with an awesome character.

Jean Tracy, MSS, former teacher and family counselor, now author and speaker, is an award winning Distinguished Toastmaster. Jean helps parents and teachers raise awesome kids with awesome characters. You will find her parent/child discussion book, Character Building on BackTalk Street, her parenting products, and FREE bonding activities, parenting tips, and articles at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com