Anyway, this has been happening for the past week or so and, if she doesn't see the house in the near future, she loses it. And when we get home, she points to our house, yells "HOME!!!!!", and starts kicking her feet and laughing. Then, when I get her out of the carseat, she runs for the door.
Hmmm. Why must she get so attached to "home" three weeks out from departure? Will this make her transition to Switzerland more difficult?
So, since I'm a planner, I googled "moving with a toddler" to try and find some answers. And I found:
To toddlers, moving is akin to having their entire world taken apart, which literally is what's happening.
Awesome.
A little further down:
Before the movers come, if it's possible, visit the new house a few times so she can get used to both her new space and the idea of switching from one place to another.
I think we fall in the "not possible" category.
A suggestion:
When it comes time to start packing, ask your toddler to help you pack up her room.
Hmmm, have the people at babycenter tried packing with a toddler around? I have. It went okay as long as I was packing boring stuff, like china or platters, and she was playing with bubble wrap. But the second I tried to pack her toys, all hell broke loose. I'd put a toy in the box, she'd stomp her feet and take it out. Repeat a hundred times.
Next suggestion:
On your last day at the old house, accompany your toddler on a tour of every room so she can say good-bye.
This could work! Definitely going to try this. The bye-bye method works great for Marion- we use it for everything, from things dropped on the floor to dragging her out of toy stores.
And finally:
Your child needs consistency to feel secure, so once you're at the new house, set up her room first — no matter how chaotic the rest of the house is or how much you're dying to unpack the silverware.
I was already planning on doing this. Maybe I should write the expert answers over at babycenter?
6 comments:
Yikes. I have no child experience. I am sure we lost it with all the moving when we were kids, but really can't remember. I remember moves being sold as an adventure, but maybe she's too young for that? Can you furtively pack most of her toys in the dark of night or is that just mean?
I looove Marion. She is so hilarious. But a couple things - first of all, you should be really happy and proud of yourself for creating a home that she loves so much and is so comfortable in! You'll be able to do the same thing in Switzerland. And second of all, this is going to be good for her. It'll teach her to be adaptable. Then she'll grow up and won't have panic attacks every time the slightest change occurs in her life (yes, I am secretly referring to myself here).
lisa- i kind of did a version of that today. sold some of her toys while she was next door playing. i think i'll try that method for packing them too :-) good idea!
cait- thanks for stopping by today! and i hope you're right!
hi, you don't know me, I followed your link from a comment on another blog - Zurich is fantastic for kids, especially in summmer (pick up the book In and Around Zurich with Kids http://www.thestork.ch/html/guide.html) and by the time she realizes shes not on vacation then she'll be all settled in. :-)
nestzurich- thanks for the advice!!! i'll look for that book!
"To toddlers, moving is akin to having their entire world taken apart, which literally is what's happening."
Uhh, that kind of applies to 28 year olds too. Moving ain't easy for anyone.
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