Moving with a toddler

We're moving out of our home and to a new home in the new year. DD will be 2 in early Jan. I'm afraid this is going to be really traumatic for her. I know kids are resilient and she probably won't even remember living at our current house someday (which makes me sad), but I still feel for her.

She's been to the new house a few times (we didn't close yet). She likes being there, but refers to it as our agent's house.

Can anyone who has been through a move with young DC tell me what to expect and/or share tips on how to make the transition easier on her?

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved from LI to NJ when DS was 15 months old. My main thing was to get the house a little set and his room together before he saw it. Once his room had his crib, furniture and the rest of his toys he was fine. After a few days it was like he's always been there. It's different when your stuff is in the new house and no longer a strange home.
She will be fine and do great. Good luck!

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved twice in one year (sold our house, bought a new house and lived in a rental while we renovated) and my kids were almost 2-3 and 3-4. They adjusted just fine. Me, well that is a different story. It was alot of work!

When we drive the kids by our old house the kids dont remember it which does make me sad, they do remember the rental house which I think is strange.. I think it was because it was right next to the park.

I would get her excited by involving her in decorating her new room or a project at the new house. She will be fine!

Message edited 11/26/2012 2:46:48 PM.

Re: Moving with a toddler

we just moved into our new home last month.

DD i would say adjusted fine. She currently is staying in the play room in a pack n play cause DH didnt finish her room yet but by this weekend she should be in it.

She at first did ask to go home when we were at the new house but i would just tell her she is home and she was just fine with that!

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved in July when DD was 15 months into my parents house, DD was fine, didn't even bat an eyelash. More recently we moved out of my parents house into our house. She was 18.5 months at the time. I had her room entirely set up before she spent the night here. She had a really whine-y first few days, but other than that has been fine. I honestly thought it would be a ton harder than it was because she is in love with my mom who is home all the time. I thought she'd really miss her being around and while she does often ask for her she hasn't been that upset. Good luck! The hardest part was packing and unpacking while she was around!

Re: Moving with a toddler

Thanks all! Glad to hear you DC seemed ok with it. We may have to stay with my in-laws first depending on renovations, but hopefully we will have her room ready before she spends her first night, so she feels "at home."

Re: Moving with a toddler

Are you moving within the same area?

Kids will get over the actual move pretty quickly. We moved to VA from NYC last year. 2.5yo DS was upset when the movers took away all his toys. We moved from a 2 bedroom tiny apartment to 3 bedroom townhouse and then moved again this year to a 6 bedroom single family home.

DS was totally ok with the actual changing of homes.

It's been almost 1.5 years since we moved and he still consistently asks for his playmates in NYC. It breaks my heart. We have made so many new friends down here but they are nowhere close to how much DS adores his old friends in NY.

Re: Moving with a toddler

Posted by Bridex100

Are you moving within the same area?

Kids will get over the actual move pretty quickly. We moved to VA from NYC last year. 2.5yo DS was upset when the movers took away all his toys. We moved from a 2 bedroom tiny apartment to 3 bedroom townhouse and then moved again this year to a 6 bedroom single family home.

DS was totally ok with the actual changing of homes.

It's been almost 1.5 years since we moved and he still consistently asks for his playmates in NYC. It breaks my heart. We have made so many new friends down here but they are nowhere close to how much DS adores his old friends in NY.

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved from Queens to LI this summer. DS is 3 1/2 and DD is 2. They didn't miss a beat.

A big thing we did though was change from their cribs to "big" boy and girl beds - which they were very excited about.

They will be fine. I worried needlessly.

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved to our new house when DS was 2 1/2 years old. Sort of unfortunately, DD was born a month later - so there was a LOT of change going on for DS.

He did NOT adjust well. It was a very difficult time. It passed and everything turned out fine, but during those first few months we tried to have special time with him, do fun things, and stay i a routine as much as possible. I THINK those things would help, so that's what we did. In the end though, I think it just took time for him to adjust.

Now he is 4 1/2....and he remembers the "old house" and still talks about it. !

Good luck! I think you have a head start - in that you realize this could be a little traumatic for your child. Not sure why, but I just didn't think our move would be such a big deal.

Re: Moving with a toddler

We moved from Queens to CA in September and my now 23 month old twins didn't bat an eyelash. If they were upset at all it was because they saw me upset. They had an amazing network of friends and activities and it broke my heart to take them away from it all but they seem to be fine.

Re: Moving with a toddler

My DD was 2 when we moved. Didn't seem to phase her one bit. I think that's too young for it to bother them.

Moving with a toddler

We didn't move but, we renovated when DS was 14 mos. We moved in with our inlaws for 2 months and DS adjusted well (he really hadn't spent much time at their house prior to the renovation since they usualyl come to ours). We were there for 2 months and then moved back into our "new" house. We had one rough night but, DS adjusted well after that.

Re: Moving with a toddler

Posted by MayBbaby21

Posted by Bridex100

Are you moving within the same area?

Kids will get over the actual move pretty quickly. We moved to VA from NYC last year. 2.5yo DS was upset when the movers took away all his toys. We moved from a 2 bedroom tiny apartment to 3 bedroom townhouse and then moved again this year to a 6 bedroom single family home.

DS was totally ok with the actual changing of homes.

It's been almost 1.5 years since we moved and he still consistently asks for his playmates in NYC. It breaks my heart. We have made so many new friends down here but they are nowhere close to how much DS adores his old friends in NY.

Yes, we're only moving about 5-7 mins away. Different town/school district but she's not in school yet so wouldn't know.

That's amazing that your DS still talks about his NYC playmates.