Moving house with a toddler

[stevensmummy]

We're moving house pretty soon, well hopefull, and I am having nightmare issues already with my toddler. As well as hyperactivity and the general terrible 2's etc etc.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice with regard to moving house with a toddler and how can I reassure him its not scary etc?

Sarah x

[Scarlet]

Sarah,

Just to say, I'll be back to you tomorrow in your diary hun.

Love and hugs

Scarlet
X

[gizmoracer]

Hi Sarah.

Can't say I envy you on the moving front, we are stuck in a 2 bed flat at the moment but know we will have to move sooner or later because of having a boy and a girl, but I would much rather it was later to be honest.

Anyway, not from experience but from knowledege of working with children, if you can get him to help with packing his own toys and labling his boxes with something he knows (his name if he recognises it or just a smily face), if its possible to have someone look after him it will help keep him away from the stress of moving but do get him involved in some of it ie. taking his boxes to his room, this way he sees it happening and feels part of it, but escepes the tiredness and stress of it all. Sort his room out first, if you are able to get in a few days before you move decorate it ready, the quicker his room is settled the quicker he will settle.

There are a few books you should be able to pick up from the libarary, the only one I know of is 'A new home for Tiger' by Joan Stimson. Although I would suggest reading this one yourself first and perhaps changing it slightly as it is designed for older children and shows the down side of it all. I'm sure there are better ones.

Good luck.

[stevensmummy]

Hi Giz,

Thanks for the advice. It seems the stresses have already started and we've not even seen the house and clarified if we actually want it. The prospect of moving with PNI is enough for me without even considering the kids. I keep worrying about aspects of the new house, even silly things, but most of all the fact that we currectly live in the middle of nowhere. Just now I have no explainations, pni related explanations, and the epilespsy and not driving issues, when suddenly I will have a whole street of nosy neighbours asking questions. I fear that some of my anxietites may rub off on him.

The idea of packing his own boxes seems great thankyou, I think he would really like that. And I think i may just look into the library for a book on moving. He really enjoys being read to so i think that would help greatly. I have already tried introducing the idea of a new house and would he like it if we moved to another house with other boys and girls living beside us, the whole street routine, as he has always lived on the farm. Can you suggest a good way to introduce the idea of moving?As just now it seems to be going in one ear and out the other! He is generally quite an intelligent little one and picks up and remembers everything. But not this.

Thanks for the advice x

[flobob]

Hello Gizmoracer
I just saw this today and as we moved in October thought I'd reply. Although my LO is younger than yours so I didn't have to bother with the explanations for him.

Our move went well for me. So just wanted you to know that it will work out fine for you too.

Could you take your little boy to the new house for a visit before you move in? Maybe the people selling will let you pop round? And you can then say "this will be your room" and "this is where we will have breakfast" and stuff.

If you want to PM me about moving then please do and I'll pass on anything I can. Even if it just helps your stress levels over the move.

Take care, FloBob