How to tell 3yo DD about separation

[RBush22]

I am separating from ex-H and I am meant to be moving out end of December. DD is 3 years 9 months and will need to start saying goodbye to nursery friends, and I need to tell her we are moving to another home (without dad).

Trouble is ex-H is in denial, and disagreeing to everything while I know I can move. Just contact has to be arranged.

I have no idea how to tell her, and I worry she will go to ex-H and say "I'm moving away with mummy!!" and he will respond with something negative and confusing.

Few questions:
How far away are you moving? Round the corner or different city?
Whats contact going to look like?
Is she just turned 3 or closer to 4?

I think all of those things would impact how I handled this.

She is 3 years 9 months. We are moving 1 hour's drive away. No idea about contact as ex-H is in denial and can't discuss rationally.

That’s really tough. If it ends up in court and he is granted 50:50 she may be seeing a lot of her ‘old house’ anyway (assuming your DH is staying put…?) shame he isn’t communicating as keeping her nursery place might actually be a good idea if he is having her mid week.

I think, while there are still so many unknowns, just keep it simple and factual. And don’t over prepare her either. Wait until just before the event happens. ‘Mummy and daddy aren’t living together anymore, you will live with mummy for now but still see plenty of daddy. Nursery will change but you will meet lots of new friends. Let’s get some tasty sweets to take in on your last day’. Something like that.