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Tips for moving house with a toddler

14 replies

RuByMaMa · 26/07/2011 20:20

Any suggestions to make this slightly less painful than it has to be? Any hints or tips gratefully received...

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diggingintheribs · 26/07/2011 20:25

we left him over night with GPs where he was spoilt rotten

made sure we unpacked his room first and made it a bit special but also familiar

made sure his favourite toys were unpacked and ready for action!

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SandStorm · 26/07/2011 20:28

We did the same. Left her with GPs for a couple for two nights and had her room all ready when she arrived. In fact, we had the whole house unpacked by the time she arrived.

And we moved her into a big bed at the same time so it was double the excitement for her.

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Gonzo33 · 27/07/2011 06:04

If you can do the above then it is definately worth doing. When we move we will not be able to do that, so we are going to sort her room out first.

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RuByMaMa · 27/07/2011 07:55

Thanks guys! Feeling quite anxious about the whole thing ... I'm having keyhole surgery the week before we move so will be away from her for the first time overnight then and I'm just worried about how stressful it'll all be for her... I know she'll be fine and will probably cope better than mum and dad Biscuit

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archfiend · 27/07/2011 08:03

Agree with everyone above. We also gave dd her own moving box that she could decorate and put a selection of toys in. It helped her feel more involved and grown up and we made sure it came in the car with us so it was there for her when grandparents came round (she came for a visit on the day we moved and then stayed with grandparents that evening so we had time to unpack her room the next day).

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DegreesCelcius · 27/07/2011 08:04

We moved when our son was 18 months old.
We loaded his cot last and put it up in the entrance hall when we arrived at the new property.
There was plenty of room for him to be there and for the larger furniture to be carried in without him being in the way.
He was kept highly amused by everyone in and out and at some stage I remember him having his afternoon nap.
Good luck.

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JumpJockey · 27/07/2011 08:07

We won't be able to send our dd to gps when me move but were hoping to send her to nursery as usual and then pick up to the new house - would thT freak her out too much? She's 2.7 and we've been cycling past the new place lots so she knows what it looks like, if we get her room ready first would that make it less scary?

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iskra · 27/07/2011 08:13

They cope! We moved cities recently. It was chaos. We didn't have movers in, we did it ourselves. DD age 3 was there all the time, would have sent her to her aunt but she was moving overseas at the same time. The house was full of boxes for weeks. House we were moving too isn't ready so we are all staying with GPs, DD sleeping in her uncle's bedroom with none of her stuff. She's doing fine. They are resilient little things as long as their parents are around!

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Lcy · 27/07/2011 08:14

I had all these concerns with my 2 year old DD. We put her in nursery and picked her up and took her to the new house. She was happy as can be and kept showing everyone her bedroom and telling them she had moved house and had a garden now.

Moving Molly by Shirley Hughes was a great book to read before the move.

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mummytime · 27/07/2011 09:19

Talk to the toddler about it, but I think we moved when at least one of mine was at nursery (but beware late completion if you are buying, they might be upset to find you not in your new home/still in the old one). Get their room ready first (after kettle and tea for removal men). Pay for packing.
Whittle down their stuff to a few toys (pack the rest) for a week or so befoe the move. Make sure precious stuff goes in your car.
Accept all offers of help.
If you can visit the new place before hand do so, and talk about it.
Don't act as if there is anything for anyone to be upset about, and treat any upsetness on the first day as tiredness.

Finally, Mum needs a treat, this is a very stressful time, never mind surgery as well. Do take care of yourself. Slurge on a cleaner (at least for a "spring clean").

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chandellina · 27/07/2011 14:43

this thread is making me nervous! my 3 year old knows we're moving but he's going to stay at his grandmother's for a week during the move, then stays one night in the new house, then goes away on holiday with me for two weeks. And we'll probably have very little time to get his new room into any sort of comfortable shape. I just hope he copes with all the change.

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MovingAndScared · 28/07/2011 19:49

my DS1 moved at 2.5 - did his room before he moved in no problems, my DS2 moved at 16months - barely noticed!
chandellenia- if he has the same furniture, toys bedding and possibly curtains he will be fine

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ChristinedePizan · 28/07/2011 19:53

Yep I think the main thing is to get them out of the way if you can while the movers are there. My DS went to stay with his grandparents and by the time they arrived, I had hastily put together his bedroom so it looked pretty much like it had at our old place. I had also bought him a new wooden train with his name on it as a welcome present. I made putting his bedroom together my priority. And got the telly and DVD player set up

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Gonzo33 · 29/07/2011 10:18

chandellina, honestly don't worry. We have to move every 2 years. We have done the same for all of our children and they have all been fine.

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