moving

[blue heron]

We're moving in about 6 weeks and would love any advice about reducing the stress for my 26 mo. We're only moving a couple miles away so most things will still be familiar, the food store, etc. I'm just not sure how he's going to react to being in a new home. We talk about it a little, but I'm not sure how much he gets it.
thanks

[lilgsmommy]

I moved several times from when DS was 9 months up until he turned 3. Sometimes it was across town, and a few times it was another state. I found that making sure there was always something familiar around, it made it easier. I personally learned to set up my sons room first, his bed, a few of his favorite toys, so that he had something familiar. Also we took DS to the new place and showed him around and pointed out his room, and let him decide where he wanted his bed, etc etc....made him feel like he was a part of it.

[eksmom]

We just moved about a month ago. We had been living with my parents for the last 9 months and moved into our own house in the same town. So, while a lot of things are the same, a lot is different for DD because she was only 13 months the last time we lived in our own house. It has been tough on her at times. She calls our house "new house" and she has at times seemed a little anxious about it, especially when we were spending long days there working without her (she was with my parents, and knew we were at the "new house"). However, she likes it, likes her room, etc. She has seemed to be a little overstimulated by the new environment, especially all of the books (we have LOTS). We finally moved them to the basement and she actually seems calmer now that she's not compelled to run from bookshelf to bookshelf checking it all out. We also are back to having indoor pets again (they were not allowed inside, except for the garage, at my parents') so that has been a change for her as well. I'm but the point I'm trying to make is that I think there have been more changes than normal for DD because of the particular circumstances of our move plus her age.

Anyway, my mom brought her over for lunch one day before we actually started sleeping there. DD really enjoyed that and I think that was a big part of helping her understand what was about to happen. Mom had her pick out one of her possessions to bring to the new house - she brought one of her favorite books. We also talked about things a lot ahead of time; what our new routines would be like (she stays at my parents' house during the day).

Moving has certainly had an effect on her, but I don't think it's been too traumatic. Good luck - I hope everything goes smoothly for you! Let me know if there are any specific questions I can answer.

[lisalou]

We just moved and dd seems to be adjusting wonderfully. I think the main thing that helped is we've gone from an apartment to a house in the woods and dd loves being outside. We also closed on a Friday and the movers came on Wednesday. In between all three of us spent time at the house, we showed her her room and brought some of her favorite toys over. The day of the move we took her to daycare for the day. Not only was it easier on us but really for her there had to be some comfort in not seeing the vast amount of change and constantly being asked to "come over here" to get her out of the way. So if you have someone that can just take ds somewhere else for the actual move day I would recommend that.

Then once we got to the house the first thing we did was set up her room. Tried to make it as normal as possible. We also set up a few of her other favorite things or safety things like her chair at the dining room table and our bed (nursing place). And we got a couple of things for her room that we knew she'd like a table and chairs from IKEA and night light moon from there as well. She didn't have her own room at the apartment. Once the cats arrived for her everything was complete.

I think it really depends on how your ds takes change. Patience on your part is really helpful too since there's bound to be some routine changes and that can sometimes make for a cranky toddler. DD seems to be pretty flexible as long as I'm around, a bear and a blanket. I guess home is where her 3B's are.

[mackinsiesmom]

We also just moved. We moved almost across the country so nothing really is the same for us. I let dd help pack and she was great at it. I hated people thinking she was more in the way when I tell people (mostly family) that she loves to help pack. She did more packing then DH did. I also let her help unpack and put things where she wanted them.

The first couple of days were hard for her because she wanted to go back home. We got her room and her toys set up first. Now after a month she tells me which room is hers and its her house.

Good luck on your move.

Katie