Moving with an 18 Month Old.

Updated on February 21, 2007
A.B. asks from Aubrey, TX
14 answers

We're moving this weekend, and I can't decide what to do with my toddler. My mom has offered to take him for the weekend, which would be great because I can spend all day Friday packing without worrying about him getting into stuff or getting hurt... and we won't have to worry about him on Saturday when we're moving stuff.

On the other hand, I wonder if it will be traumatic for him to go away for a night or two... and then come back and live somewhere else. Should he actually see the transition? But I'm thinking if he is here, then it'll be stressful for him to constantly hear "No, don't touch that"... "Put that back"... and all of that stuff.

The worst part is where we're moving to this weekend, is a temporary location, because our new apartment won't be ready until March 7th... so he won't even have all of his toys and things available to him. He is familiar with their house, but we've never stayed the night there before... and now we'll be there for maybe up to 2 weeks.

So anyway, he's not the type that gets stressed very easily, so maybe I'm making more of this than I really need to. I was just wondering what your opinions were, or if you had any ideas on making it as stress-free as possible for my little guy.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all the advice. I know he'll be fine, but I just want to make it as easy on all of us as possible. We've been packing, so he sees that something's going on... and my mom is going to pick him up Friday night, so that he isn't there when we're doing all the actual moving on Saturday. And I'll have his bed set up and his favorite toys out when he gets back. Then my mother in law is going to be there during the next move to keep an eye on him while we move stuff into the new place. That way he does actually see that transition.

Thanks again!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Dallas on

A.,

If your mom is offering to take your little guy... then let him go! It will be sooo less stressful for everyone. He will just be @ grandma's playing & you will be able to get things done a lot quicker & more efficiently if you don't have to chase him around all weekend.

As far as him coming "home" to a new/unfamiliar place... just make sure that when you bring him home you are very cheery & full of smiles. Say "look baby (whatever your pet name is for him) -- look at our new house... this is gonna be fun!" Let him unpack a little with you... maybe some of his clothes & the toys that you do have for him...

Just because it is temporary doesn't mean that it has to be unfamiliar & scary... Think of it like a vacation or camping or something. It may be all new, but it's something waiting to be explored. Keep him occupied & make sure that he has a few comfort things that he can relate to & know that everything is ok & he is still going about life w/mommy & daddy by his side.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.T.

answers from Dallas on

Let your mom take him!!! He will be fine. You will soon learn that this sort of thing is far more tramatic for you than it is for him.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.W.

answers from Knoxville on

I don't think that 'seeing' the transition helps; at 18 months, he isn't going to be sure what it is he's seeing. Of course, you could talk him through it, but you could talk him through it as you drive from Grandma's to the new place, and it will probably work just as well....

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.,

I've moved a lot, and I think a child needs to see the transition, the packing and the empty house. If it is possible, let your mom come over for two hours each day, I think it's very important.
Don't worry about the temporary location, a child will always find something to play with, even if it's just a bunch of spoons. If you're relaxed, the child will be.

Good luck, moving is always a hassle...

I.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.J.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.,

One of my friends moved last year with her 2 year old. I thought my friend had a great plan by having the 2 year old stay with someonelse during the move and having the child's bedroom all decorated by the time the child came to the new house. That way even though the surroundings are new but the child's room is unpacked and looks familiar right from the start. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Dallas on

My son is 3 1/2 and we've moved twice (four times if you count the temporary locations) within the past 18 months. The first move (he was 2) I was able to have family help me and then take us to the airport. He was completely underfoot, but there were 3 of us to watch him, so it wasn't bad. The temporary location was fine, I think he just thought we were on vacation. We packed some toys and books to be dropped of at our temp location along with his crib. Moving into our house that time was a little harder because he wanted to help the movers with everything and there was only me and my husband to watch him. The second move we also packed some toys and stuff to go to temp housing. Again, he thought we were on vacation, there was a pool, so he was happy. Again, when the movers brought our stuff, he was underfoot. If I did it again, I probably would have someone keep him while they were moving the big stuff anyway. He still talks about his "old house" but I don't think seeing it empty would have helped with that, he just really liked his old room. We were lucky enough to have his grandparents keep him while the movers packed and moved us out of that one.
I think little ones adapt better than we give them credit for. Do what is going to make you more comfortable. If it will help you to not have to watch him and be able to concentrate on everything, than send him off. If you're stressed, he's more likely to stress out too.
Good luck! Moving is tough!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Dallas on

We also had to move twice this summer. Our house was not ready so we lived in an apartment for a few months. Before we moved into the apartment we showed each of the kids their rooms and told them we were camping!! Our son was 3 and our daughter was 17 months. We had more problems with the older child. Our daughter adjusted fine without much help. She was happy with her crib and her few toys that we brought. The main thing she wants is for you to be there.

FYI I was raised in the military and moved all the time. I think that the experience taught me how to adjust to new situations and made it easier for me to make friends.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Dallas on

Maybe try having your Mom come to your place and watch him, at least for a few hours at your place. That way he sees that something is happening but someone else is there to help with him.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.D.

answers from Dallas on

I vote let your mom take him. we moved with ours at 15 months and it was really hard to supervise movers while supervising him as well. the door had to stay open while they went in and out and it was a nightmare trying to keep him away from the open door. he wanted to climb all over boxes and other stuff that's usually put away, etc. moving in was the same thing, the door open, box cutters laying around and the tape dispenser with the sharp edge, etc there are too many things that are dangerous!!

t

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Dallas on

I would defently let your mom keep him. Our daughter is 2 1/2 and we have moved 4 times since she has been born, not to worry everything will be fine. In fact we are moving again next week. Trust me your son will be ok and everytime we have moved our daughter has stayed at grandmas. Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Dallas on

My first thought is: Honestly, he is 18 months old! Why are you even worried about this? But my second thought is that I remember when I had my first child, how I would worry about everything! = )

Kids transition better that we give them credit for. I think he is old enough to tell him that you are moving but just make it fun, like an adventure. If you worry kids sense it. Due to relocations, we have lived in 3 cities in 2 years - my daughter was 20 mo. for the first move and 3 yrs for the second. the hardest thing is not explaining the move but keeping her on routine through the change. My son was 7 for the first move and 8 for the second, while it has been really hard be has done well and I think it has to do with keeping our focus, comments, and attitude positive and fun.

Hope that helps = )

- js

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

Send him to grandma's!
He'll think he's on vacation and Grandma will have a good time too. Just make sure any special/favorite toys are blankets, etc., are waiting for him when he gets to the new place.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Dallas on

We moved when my daughter was 14 months old. It was very stressful
and took alot longer thaen we had planned. My little one stayed with
grandma and that was the best thing for everyone.Always accept help
even though we are super moms and can do everything. You will be more
helpful without chasing your bundle of joy around all day.
Good luck,
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.D.

answers from Dallas on

We moved when my daughter was 18 mo too and I had all the same worries. She did great and never missed a beat. Kids are more flexible than we give them credit for. I think it helped that she had been to the "new" house with me during the inspection so it was not completely new. I told her everything that was going to happen ahead of time. that she would go stay with --- and then we would go live in a new house and never see the old house again. I don't know if that is what did it or not but she seemed to understand.

Best wishes

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches