Readying a toddler for moving house

[rumtumtugger]

We're moving in a month and would like to start reading our 2.4 yo toddler for the move. What things should we do/say/buy for her? Any 'moving house' books you'd particularly recommend?

DS was 2.7 years when we moved and we found the Usborne book called Moving House was very good. Except he was then convinced that we were going to have a yellow lorry, and I kept having to say I didn't know what colour it was! It was good though. We took both children to see our new house from the outside and made sure the children saw the lorry etc. had to emphasise that all their toys and bed, etc, would be coming with us. It all went smoothly despite my concern! Both children were at school/nursery so were kept out of the way for the bulk of the move, but made sure they did see the furniture in the lorry, etc. good luck!

Thanks FP. Were they at all weirded out that they had new bedrooms and wouldn't be gong back to their old house? Dd is very attached to our home and cries every time we drive away in the car!

Hi rumtumtugger. We moved when our DD was 2y5m. The house we moved to was quite a lot bigger, and it did worry her, since previously the sitting room was off the kitchen, so she didn't feel far away when I was cooking/washing up etc, but now our kitchen is through a large hallway and round a corner, and she didn't like to be left alone playing/watching telly in there while I went to the kitchen. There were obvious things I could do for reassurance - not leave her alone in a room til she was ready, have a telly in the kitchen, etc.

With regard to the bedroom, for her room when she first moved, I chose the room which was closest in size and layout to her old room. I laid it out with her furniture exactly as before, so she wouldn't feel too stressed. She didn't seem to notice that part and it didn't affect her sleep or bedtime routine. After a few months when she was completely settled in the house, we decorated her a different room and she was fine with moving rooms - not too much in one go was the thinking.

I'd say it took a good couple of months for her to completely settle down, just be patient and understanding as I'm sure you would be.

Mine were ok once they saw that everything in their old rooms were now in their new rooms and nothing had been left behind. DS did go through a slightly unsettled stage at bedtime but not until about 3 weeks later when I think it really hit him, but he was fine. We have to drive past our old house sometimes when we're going somewhere and they always notice it and wave, and then DS asks why we don't live there anymore which can be difficult but I think he asks out of habit now.