One thing I’ve learned about toddlers from my brief stint as the mother of one is that they don’t really like change all that much.  Routines and repetition are the name of the game for toddlers.  They like to know when to expect certain things like naps and lunch and snacks, etc.  So, packing up and moving to a new house with a toddler can be a challenge.

We just moved last week and things seem to be going pretty well so far.  There were several things that I did to help make Maya feel part of the move and prepared for the big day when we actual moved into the new house.  I figured if she knew what to expect along the way and felt like she was part of the action than things would go a little smoother, and they did.

Here are a few things you can do with your toddler as you prepare to move into a new home:

• Bring your child along to look at the homes with you as you are searching for a new home to buy.
• Be sure you see the house you will be buying several times with your toddler in tow.
• Let your toddler explore the new house and talk about all the fun things about the house like where their room is going to be, how fun it will be to play in the new backyard, etc.
• As you pack up your home get your child involved.  Talk about all the things that will come with you to the new house and let your child pack up their own toys so they are comfortable with the fact that none of their stuff will be left behind.
• Get some books about moving.  We read The Berenstain Bears Moving Day a lot in the weeks leading up to our move.  Reading and seeing pictures in books about moving will help your child better understand what to expect.
• Talk a lot about the move and what your child can expect.  Let them ask questions.
• On moving day let your child be as involved as possible.  Give them little things to carry into the new house and let them help unpack some boxes and put things away.
• Allow for an adjustment period.  Sleeping habits may take a while to adjust in the new house.  Also, your child’s temperament may be a little different for a few days or so after you move in.

When your child feels part of what is going on and has a bit of an understanding about what to expect during the moving process it is more likely they will adjust to their new surrounding faster and may even be excited about the move.

The one thing that my daughter didn’t quite understand was that the new house was home now and not our old house.  For several days after we moved she would ask to go home when she was really tired.  She didn’t quite understand that we were home and this was where we were going to sleep now.  After a few days though, she seems to be into the swing of things and definitely loves her new house and new bedroom.

When you moved how did you help your children adjust to their new surroundings?