For a toddler, routine is key to keeping their lives moving. Toddlers do not tell time, do not know the date, and are unable to keep track of day-to-day activities the same way that adults do. Toddlers use routine to determine what comes next. Routine and predictability make toddlers feel safe.
Preparing Your Child for a Move
If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’ll recall that we moved to a new home recently. During the process, keeping The Boy’s routine going was a challenge for our family. A few days into the moving process, I realized that I was too focused on the mechanics of the move and not giving enough attention to The Boy’s needs. He was tearing up and crying over things that would not have typically bothered him. At this point, I know how important is was to continue to take him to the playground and to do the regular every day activities that he was used to. Packing and unpacking would have to be done while he was asleep or at preschool.
Do you have a move coming up? Follow these hints below and the transition to your new home should be smooth for everyone:
Talk with your child about the move. Don’t surprise your child by boxing up their toys one day and telling them that you’re moving tomorrow. Use phrases like “We’ll take this toy with us to our new house” and “In our new house your room will be blue and have striped curtains” and “Mommy and Daddy will both be at our new house, and so will our dog.”
Let them pack their toys. Encourage your child to sort their toys into items they want to move and items they’d like to donate to other children. Doing this allows them to actively participate in the moving process.
Visit your new neighborhood. If your move is local, visit the new neighborhood and show them the playground you’ll be going to once you move. If the move is too far to drive, use a map. Show your child where they currently live and where you’re moving. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a great resource to learn more about your new community.
After the Move
Unpack your child’s belongings first. Setting up their bedroom and playspaces should be your primary focus. Once they see that all of their things are in the new home, they’ll quickly become more comfortable.
Stick to your routine. Following your daily routine is a great way for your child to adjust to their new home. Keep meals, snacks, naps, and playtimes going as they were in your old home. If you don’t know families in your new neighborhood, head to the library for story hour – you’re likely to meet parents there and can ask about other local activities for the little ones.
Expect behavior deviations. Keep in mind that a new home is a big transition, especially for a child. They may feel scared or sad in the new home. Be mindful of this, and expect that they may behave in ways that you’re not accustomed to seeing. Exercise more patience with your child, and give them even more snuggles.
Has your family moved recently? How long did it take for your children to adjust?
This is part of series of posts titled Motherhood Mondays where I’ll be sharing my parenting experiences, tips and advice. If there is a specific topic you would like to see in the coming weeks, please email me with Motherhood Mondays in the subject line.
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Good tips! We actually plan to move up to RI full-time in the next year. My son will be 2 then, so I’ll have to remember this post
Thanks!
Ashley recently shared..Crafted Candles ~ For All Your #Autumn & #Halloween Candle Decor Needs!
I can just imagine how hard it is for a child to move. It’s stressful for us grownups. Great tips about getting them set up first. I know mine would be so worried about the toys vanishing
laura recently shared..Frugal costume making
I’m certain that is The Boy’s primary worry as well, Laura!
Mine gets very concerned when it’s time to give to Goodwill..we’ve made an agreement that’ll I will talk to him first and not just give or toss stuff.
laura recently shared..Frugal costume making
These are great tips!!!
Katherine G recently shared..Mommy and Me Monday
Great tips. We have not moved (yet) with our little one, but my parents moved us in elementary school and I remember how well they handled everything. Something to aspire to!
Audrey recently shared..Baby Shower Gift Guide: Gifts For Your Hip Friend
WOW – This is so timely for me. I honestly didn’t think much about it – will start working on it now
Lena – @elenka29 recently shared..Family Biking: Too Young To Ride?
These are wonderful tips! How is everything going?
Meg recently shared..Small{ish} Town Event | Crown Point Pumpkin Festival
We have never moved but we are hoping to be able to do so within the next few years to find better public schools. Thanks for the tips – the whole thing stresses me already!
Maggie C recently shared..Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow Review & Giveaway – Ends 10/27
Just like us, kids take awhile to adjust. We moved 9 months ago and though we are all doing well, it did take some time. These are great suggestions!!
Oh wow, I bet it would be really hard for a child
I remember moving when I was 10, and I had a hard time adjusting.
These are great tips. We did several of these things when we moved with our little guy this summer.
Sarah recently shared..Earn Cash Back with Ibotta
These are great tips! Thank you for reminding parents that children need special attention and care during this stressful and busy time because I think parents forget in all the chaos that the little ones are dealing with big thoughts and feelings! Great post.
jenny at dapperhouse recently shared..10 East Coast Hotels with Exemplary Hospitality
We did a favorite things box. Their most loved stuffed animals, toys , treasures etc. Plus a new little wrapped gift for the new place. First thing unpacked for them.It really helped! We moved 6 times when our kids were small!
Marie Howard recently shared..Just Good Stuff 4 You And Your Pets!
My oldest was VERY young when we moved but these are great tips to keep in mind for the future!
Amanda Taylor @ Survival Guide by The Working Mom recently shared..Ozeri Green Earth Wok Review and Giveaway 10/16-10/30
Being a military family; we moved a LOT. It was really hard on my kids. And most the times we couldn’t visit the new location we were moving too because it was too far away. But I would take the time and look it up online and find pictures to show my kids. That really helped. We found people already living in the area that told us about fun things to do, so we shared those ideas with the kids too. And I definitely agree, make sure your kid’s items are easy to find and they need to be unpacked at the beginning, second only to beds and immediate food needs.
Amber Edwards recently shared..Achieve Natural Beauty with Mia Mariu Makeup Plus Give Away
My husband moved a lot as a kid and his mother always had their rooms set up before they went to bed the first night.
Heather recently shared..I’m on the Edge of a Before
My child will be preparing for a different kind of move in a couple years. Moving out *gasp*..
Dawn
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Great post! We’ve moved A LOT, but the kids were much younger! My kids were 5 and 2 the last time we moved so the were really excited. I love this post though! Great tips!
Kristin Wheeler (MamaLuvsBooks) recently shared..Love’s Christmas Journey ~ Coming to DVD on 10/30
As a former military family, it was essential to make moves as “fun” and “positive” as possible for my kiddos. Great tips and suggestions! We made it a point to put the kids rooms together first to give them a sense of normalcy and comfort.
Michelle recently shared..DWP Challenge Day 7: Living and Learning
Great tips…every Mom should know to help ease the transition of moving. My Mom was a divorced, single parent, and we moved A LOT when I was growing up. It was very hard on me. Keeping that in mind, as I tried to face the same challenge with my own family, when my husband’s company relocated us from Atlanta to South Carolina. At the time, I had a 7 yr old son, a 22 month old daughter, and an 11 month old daughter , along with myself, who did not want to move. I was overwhelmed physically, mentally, and spiritually. I sought out Christian counseling at my church, and it helped tremendously to get advice from a christian child psychologist who was on staff there. I followed her advice, prayed, and somehow we made it through. We maintained as much normalcy as possible, and included the kids while we looked for our new house. We settled into our new life, thankful for the predictability of normal, every living. I enrolled my daughters into a Mother’s Morning Out program, to help them get socialization skills, and get a few hour break for my own sanity. Kids are amazingly, resilient and bounce back from major changes better than us adults sometimes-especially when given lots of love, support, and encouragement. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, because there are no “perfect” parents, and kids don’t come with instruction manuals!
Thank you for posting this… maybe I handled it okay after all. 
My friend is planning to move from CA to MN this Feb with a 3 year old and her newborn baby girl. I can’t imagine how she’s going to handle it but I will send her this link because it provides good advice.
Our kids did great with our move a few years ago! Maybe they were just young enough. Great tips! Thanks!
We have moved many many times around the world…and when my kiddos were smaller ( toddlers) we used to take pictures of where they had things placed in their soon-to-be-vacated rooms.. When we moved to the new place, they unpacked the box that had a few items packed, and tried to set it up to match the “old” picture… They almost always changed things up, but letting them know that was their decision to make, let them have a little control over their surroundings, and stopped a few frustrated tears
I’m hoping to be able to move soon, so this a great information for me to keep in mind. I’m sure it will help a lot. Thanks!
Great tips! We have moved 4 times in my daughter’s 5 years on this planet and one of those moves was from California to Texas! lol She has luckily handled it all really well. I think the bigger challenges are when you move when they are school aged and have to leave activities, friends, and schoolmates behind. =)
I just went through this! I have a toddler and an 8 year old and it affected them in different ways. My 2 yr old was hyper running around everywhere, but my 8 yr old was apprehensive and moody. We are just now settling in an starting to feel normal. Thank you for the tips, they are very good.
We are going to have to be moving in the next little while so these tips sure will come in handy! Thanks for sharing!!
I’m lucky to love my home and I’ve never had to move. I can’t imagine moving with young children, how stressful.