We're making a big move in less than 3 weeks for DH's job. I'm anxious, excited, happy, really sad... Basically feeling all the feelings. R just turned 2 and is usually pretty flexible, but we are close with our neighbors and this is the only place she's lived. Any tips, books, kids shows that will help her understand what's going on? Any tips for me too?!
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We are anticipating a move this year but haven't done it yet. We did get a Berenstain Bears "Moving Day" book as a gift from a friend that is nice. It talks about why they are moving, saying goodbye to friends, making new friends, etc. My LO likes it so maybe it could help? Good luck!
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Following! I wish I had advice, but the only time I've gone through this is when I moved myself as a kid. It sucked, and the grownups didn't seem to care... I suppose because they'd been though many moves, and because grown up friendships are sort of... more portable, and don't take such a hit when you no longer live next door. I think recognizing that it might be tough for LO is already a really good start.
And now I have to do this with my own little boy
I just hope it's easier for toddlers than preteens... but if it has to be done, it has to be done.
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we moved when LO was about 17 months old. i think even the process of packing helped prepare him for the move because he could tell something was going on, even if he didn't know what. we actually weren't that great about transitioning him--we should have talked to him and probably gotten a book. luckily everything went smoothly. i think the novelty of being in a new place was exciting. we kept all this regular bedroom stuff--didn't change the crib, furniture, sheets, books etc., and kept the bedtime routine the same.
congrats to DH on the new job, and good luck with the move! moving is such a pain.
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My lo just turned 3 when we moved. We talked about it a lot beforehand She watched us move her bed into the truck, which she asked about a bajillion times. I had a princess dress she'd been wanting hanging on the door of her room when we got to the new house. Then the first thing we did was get her room set up. Same sheets and blanket as when we left, same wall stickers, etc. we slept in her room the first couple nights too bc she was scared.
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We just moved last week and my daughter is 16 months, so a little younger than your LO. I'm not sure she really understood, but we kept telling her we were moving to a new house/area etc. My parents looked after her for 3 days whilst we got packed up and moved into our new place so it wasn't weird for her seeing all her stuff get taken away! When we picked her up and got back to our new place she was a little weirded out for an hour or so and has been fine ever since.
GL with your move
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Where?!!!
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@birdofafeather: I'm already worrying about this and we aren't moving for 18 months. Clearly I have a problem (in my defense, there will be a lot of big transitions going on at that time!)
I did read some nice advice to talk about leaving and saying goodbye to your house, and to let your daughter take photographs of her room and her other favorite places in the house. You could maybe make a little book so that she can look through the photos later if she is missing the house. The article also reminded me that she is going to feel all of the feelings I'm feeling (sad, excited, scared, overwhelmed, etc) and that its okay for her to feel that way. Things like routine and trying to make the abstract more concrete (like the photo book) can help.
A friend who moved with a toddler said she packed his room last, and then unpacked it first. She had him pack some of his favorite things in a box to bring in the car with them.
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We have moved several times with our 4 year old, including twice internationally. It really hasn't been a big deal, but he is also very easy going, so I'm sure that helps. We talk it up and really emphasize all the positive things like new bedroom, new parks, new friends, new bathtub, really anything you can think of! Make it an adventure. I've always gotten his room unpacked and ready first so that he can familiarize himself with his new home.
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Kids are pretty resilient, I was worried about moving my son but he did fine with the move itself, even though there were a ton of other changes that happened around that time.
We did talk about it a little but I am not sure how much registered with him at 22 months, even though he saw us packing up the boxes with his things.
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I was nervous about this, but it went so smoothly. We really did nothing to prepare them. I did try to get their room set up as much like their old one as I could the first day, so all their toys, bed, etc. looked the same-ish. They were totally fine with it, but they're fairly laid back in general.
I just hope it's easier for toddlers than preteens... but if it has to be done, it has to be done.
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