Moving Concerns

My younger daughter was 2 when we moved and to my great surprise, she did just fine. We didn't have one problem... and we moved 2x within 8 months. (1st an apartment, then bought a house.)

I think that if you make her room and bed the same way with all her stuffed animals, blankets, etc. she will be okay. It might also help her if you don't make a big deal about it. If she sees mommy anxious or acting "funny" she might wonder what is going on (other than the obvious). Another important thing to remember is to keep her bedtime routine the SAME. Don't coddle or rock her anymore than usual until you know how she is going to react.

I think you'll be surprised. Kids are SO much more resilient than we realize. The one I was worried about was my 5 yr old. And she was just fine too. They tend to roll w/ the punches.

Best of luck and I hope it's warmer for the big day! (Our first move was ONE week before xmas!)
~K. =)

Hi R.!! Its J., we have moved 3 times in the past 6 years and my kids have always done great (they are 8,7,& 4). I make their rooms one of my very first priorities and make it just as cozy as possible with all of the things they are familiar with (toys crib, pictures, blankets,etc). That way they know where their space is right from the start, even with all the commotion that goes on. I also think it is easier when you do their's first, because then you are not searching for this and that when you need it NOW!!
We moved to Kansas in Feb. on the coldest day of the year and it was so cold in our house from the doors being open that I decided to do the closets first (the only warm place to be!), that turned out to be the best thing in the world! Nobody had to search for anything when it came time for bed. I had packed their sheets and pillows (and cases) with the closet things so everything was right there!! I was so impressed with myself!! This time was alot easier, but of course it wasn't the first move, so it should have been! If you have any questions, let me know!!
Talk to you later,
J.

My son had just turned 1 when we moved. He was able to say with my parents for the day, which helped tremendously. Like some other moms mentioned, the biggest thing was getting his room set up before he laid eyes on it. It wasn't fully unpacked or decorated, but furniture in place, no big boxes laying around, and the bed was all set up and ready to go. When we brought him home that evening, he spent a great deal of time crawling around and exploring his new place. By the time we put him down, he was so worn out, he didn't even seem to realized his four walls were different! Good luck!

I moved in July with my then 14 month old. I had a real concern over her sleeping in a new place (especially since we used to live in a one bedroom apt and she was in the room with me; we moved to a two bedroom and she has her own room); I was also concerned about the transition of sitters as well. To my amazement she took all the transitions very well. She went to bed fine, but woke up not knowing where she was but that didn't last long. I underestimated her adaptability. From what I've heard from other moms as well as books, babies tend to adapt to things easier than we as adults do.
I don't know if this eases your mind at all. But all my worrying about my daughter's reactions seemed to worry wasted.

A.

My daughter is 6 and we have done it many times. At 2 weeks we sold a house in Missouri, went to New York and lived in temp housing. Then we bought a house in New York. 6 months later we moved to Missouri into an apartment and sold the house in New York. Then we moved to California and rented again for a year. We bought a house there and lived 2 years. We moved back to the midwest and bought a house last year. She was 5 when we moved last year. She never gave us a hard time.

You should be find :)

Suzi

Hi! We too have moved a few times in 3 years, and my biggest thing was to get my kids' rooms set up first, before the kitchen or ANYTHING!That way when they became overwhelemed with things or were anxious, they at least had their own space to go to, that was their "castle" if you will. Relax and it will be fine. Also, let her help as much as possible unpacking things so she can be involved too!

We moved when my oldest was almost 2, and we didn't have any help with him so he got to watch the whole thing. First thing we did was just throw some toys and his bed in his room, he had a blast just playing all day, this was also the first "big boy bed" and he came up with the idea it came with the house so he was all for it. Your son should do fine just don't let him pick up on you worrying about it. Young kids are resilient (sp?) with stuff like that, just set his room up similar to how you have it now.

We did and the transition was fantastic. What we did was set up our sons room to be identical to the way it was in the old house. Other things in the house were different of course, but his room was the same as far as furniture set up. The closet was on a different wall, but everything else looked exactly the same. We showed him his new room and called it that, but also showed him that his bed was there and his things that go in his bed were still there and the rocking chair was still there as well as his chest of drawers. He was happy to have his room and he transitioned beautifully. Also be sure to keep the same routine and everything. Any changes in you will be obvious to your child. Good luck! I hope your move goes as smoothly as mine did!

B. :)