Moving with a toddler
Sounds fun, right? Well, not so much.
Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of moving … with a 2-year-old. We didn’t move far, just a few miles closer to work, and to a much bigger place and much quieter community. However, that doesn’t ease the strain and hassle of moving.
Since it’s just us two, I had to figure out a way to get everything packed in the few days prior to the move, with a toddler underfoot in every room of the house. As I would fill up boxes, he would take things out of them. If he saw a toy he hadn’t played with in months being boxed up, all of sudden it was his favorite and must be taken out and played with immediately.
When two of my friends came to move everything, all he wanted to be was part of the action. I couldn’t help all that much moving things because I had to constantly watch him.
And for days to follow, I couldn’t for the life of me, find the right cup or plate or toy in the 40 plus boxes I had in the new place. I couldn’t find his favorite bedtime books or the caboose for his train set. And I heard about it – every day.
But we’re slowly getting settled. He only refers to it as ‘the new house.’ If I say ‘we’re going home’ he gets upset because the last time he saw ‘home’ as he knew it, it was an empty spot where things used to be. But going to ‘the new house’ makes him happy and excited, which makes it home to me.
Soon enough, it will be home to him, too.
Any horror stories about moving with kids? Share them here or e-mail me at the address below.
~Erica Smith
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We also recently moved with our two year old daughter, and we too are having trouble at bed and nap times. While our new house was much bigger, our daughter’s room was a bit smaller, and it was right around Christmas time when we moved, so we gave her crib away Santa brought her a beautiful new toddler bed. (Not the best idea on Mom&Dad’s part, tho.) So now it’s taking us an hour and a half to go to bed. I spoke with my daughter’s pediatrician today and they said that routine is SO important. I keep trying all these different ideas and none of them are working, but they said I need to just pick one and stick with it. My daughter would get up from her bed and run around, and when we’d try one of our ideas or put her back in bed, she would laugh and think it was a game. So what I decided to do was start bedtime routine a half an hour before bedtime, at 7:30. Get on pj’s, brush teeth, get a drink of water, then while she is in her bed, turn off the big light and by a bedside lamp read non-exciting books (NOT The Wheels on the Bus) to her in a soft, soothing, monotone type voice. Then when bedtime rolls around (8:00), give hugs, kisses and say it’s time for bed. If she gets out of her bed, we put her back in her bed and say it’s bedtime, not playtime. I’m going to try this route tonight and pray to God it works. We’re going on day 6 of this and I’m just about at the end of my rope.
I completely agree with your method – it’s the same one I used. Routine – it’s the most important. Many resources I’ve used say that toddlers feel safe and secure when they know what to expect. If a routine is established, they will know what comes next. They’ll be able to get into bedtime mode and feel good about it. Try not to stress too much (I know it’s easier said than done) but toddlers can really pick up on adults’ anxiety and in turn, make them anxious.
I hope it works out soon (for your sake!) Keep me updated – I’d like to know how everything goes.
~Erica Smith, esmith@opubo.com
We just moved 3 weeks ago to a new house. Only a few miles down the road like yourself. Our 3 year old was excited the first week and now he is having significant trouble going to bed at night and naptime. He obviously isn’t comfortable with his new room. We have moved all of his furniture and photos in there, but nothing seems to make him more comfortable. he cries until he is exhausted at 11pm or so and then falls asleep. Any suggestions?