Moving Soon

One thing is to talk to her about it. Hopefully she knows something already. I was Navy and moved my kids across the country for my last duty station and then back again when I was retiring, we talked about it for months before I got out just like we talked about my at sea periods before they happened. Kids like to know what is going on. We have moved twice since getting back on the west coast and will have at least one more move to go when we finially buy another house. My kids get excited about moving into a new place. It is all in how you present it.

Kids adjust pretty easily. My dad was in the Air Force and we had moved 4 times by the time I was 10 and several times after that. It's a lot easier when they are younger. Your daughter will be just fine.

Try not to stress about it too much. Kids can be much more resilient than we give them credit for sometimes. We moved last year when our kids were almost 5, almost 3 and 6 months. None of them experienced any problems at all. My husband and I made it a point to be very positive about the move when we discussed it with them and took lots of time to discuss and get them excited about the new parks/playgrounds they would get to use, the chance to meet new friends, new bike paths, awesome schools, etc. They all seemed to follow our lead and the move turned out to be a fun thing for them. I bet your daughter will pick up on your cues too. If you are happy about the move, she will be too. Just let her know that it is ok to miss the things from her old neighborhood sometimes and to feel sad for a little while...and let her pick a paint color for her new room :-) Good luck!

When we moved, our daughters biggest fear was her things weren't coming with us. Assure your daughter her toys move too. It will be great to live near grandparents!!!

WOW! your situation sounds very similar. The only thing that differs is my husband got out of the Navy 10 years ago and we are now just trying to move closer to family. I have a 3 year old daughter also. We have been talking about being closer to her grandparents and their farm. She is super excited about that. Also, about having sleep overs at their house.
One thing my sister told me about when they moved was as much as she wanted to get rid of all the clutter stuff that they really didn't need to move across the country, they let their son pack/keep anything he wanted from their current house. talk up her new room and the adventure of moving. Good luck!

Make a calendar with a picture of the new house (if you have one) taped to Moving Day. Talk with her each day and let her cross off the days as you get closer.

Make a big deal about moving closer to the grandparents and how fun it will be to have a new room and make new friends.

I know this sounds strange, but she's so young that it's probably not going to be as big of a deal to her as it is to you. Don't make it sound like something potentially traumatic and she won't perceive it as such.

Join a new church and maybe consider a play group or 1/2 day preschool when you get there so she can start making friends right away!

She will probably handle it better than you think. Some kids are more affected by change than others (just like adults.) Try to keep routines as normal as possible. Have her pack some of her own stuff. Talk about the upcoming move but don't make TOO big a deal about it, you could actually add to her anxiety (if she has any) by giving her too much information too soon.
I'd focus on the fact your moving near grandma and grandpa's farm, how fun!!!

The calendar is a good way to do it. Have her pick out some special toys that she can carry with her when you move (in car/van) while the rest is moved by the big truck.

She will probably want to "go home" in about a month after you all move. You just have to tell her that she is home and all of her things are there. If you can make a call to a friend from the old town and let them speak for a few minutes. Her adjustment will be complete in about three months. *I have done this many years back as a military family.*

If you must, have her go to the childcare center while you guys pack the house the day the movers come. It's easier than trying to keep up with her and the household goods.

As far as pottying training, give her a break because of the move and when all settles back down begin again if you have to. Don't make her feel bad about any messes. She may surprise you and be ready to just wear big girl panties. New friends will be made and all will be fine.

Thanks for your service and enjoy civilian life.

The other S.

PS Take some pictures of the house you are now in for the scrapbook.