Comments on: Moving with a toddler

By: hiccups

hiccups — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:07:40 +0000

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

By: Christina Anderson

Christina Anderson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:49:11 +0000

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.

By: M. Anderson

M. Anderson — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:25:07 +0000

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?