Kids and the days before
Let children help pack their own room where possible, even if it slows things down slightly. Having some control over their own things tends to make the whole process feel less like it is happening to them.
Pack a box of familiar items, favorite toys, a blanket, that stays out until the very end and gets unpacked first at the new place.
Kids on move day
If you can arrange for a friend or family member to watch younger kids while the crew works, the day goes more smoothly for everyone, including the movers navigating a house with propped-open doors and heavy furniture moving through hallways.
For older kids, giving them a specific job, like carrying a labeled box of their own things, keeps them involved without being underfoot.
Pets during the move
Dogs and cats do best somewhere else entirely on move day, whether that is a friend's house, a sitter, or a boarding facility for the day. Open doors and unfamiliar people are a recipe for a pet slipping out unnoticed.
If that is not possible, keep the pet in a closed room with food, water, and a sign on the door so nobody opens it by accident while carrying furniture past.
The first night in the new place
Set up one familiar corner first, whether that is a child's bed made up with their own sheets or a pet's bed and bowls in a quiet room, before tackling the rest of the boxes.
A little familiarity on the first night makes the following days of unpacking feel far less overwhelming for the whole family.
Longer trips with kids and pets
For a longer haul toward Indianapolis or beyond, plan stops for pets and pack a bag of snacks and activities for kids separate from the moving boxes, so nobody is digging through cartons on the road.
Confirm ahead of time whether pets are welcome at any overnight stop, since not every hotel along a longer route allows them.