5 Ways to Help a Toddler Adjust to Moving Home

Today has been a crazy day full of packing to move house. We move in tomorrow and so its all go go go. But I have just taken some time out of my busy schedule to share my tips on helping a toddler adjust to moving home. 

Moving home for an adult can be a really stressful event and also a big change. So for a toddler even though they aren't always aware of what is going on, its an even bigger change. I have spent the last couple of weeks doing things and planning things that I hope will help Lily to adjust to the move to her new home. 

Here are my 5 tips that I think could help. 

1. Get a Good Book about Moving 
There are probably plenty of books out there that are about moving but we decided to choose this Topsy and Tim one all about moving house. In the story it talks about boxes being packed, animals packed up, removal men coming. All the things that may happen during a move. Lily and I have been reading this book most nights and she has enjoyed listening to it. After the story I always mention how we are going to go to a new house. I think that this book has helped with the fact that there have been boxes all around the house all week and that she has had to put her things in them. 

2. Let your child help pack the boxes
This week Lily has been helping me pack many boxes, she has been putting things in (not always what I wanted in them) and she has been helping me stick tape to the boxes. Letting her be part of the move has really helped her not feel sad about all her things having to go in boxes. As we pack things I explain that all these things are going to the new house. Which she is excited about because its going to be near Nan's house.  

3. Packing their Own Special Suitcase
For a toddler its important they know that all their special and beloved items come with them to the new home. Thats why I suggest you get them their own suitcase which is especially just for them and their things. Trunki do amazing ride on suitcases for children and have just brought out Una the Unicorn who you can personalise with stickers! Or you can also personalise your Trunki by customising your own on the website. Having them personalised means that your child knows its their suitcase and so is perfect for moving home with. Lily really enjoyed packing her own suitcase and she put inside some of her clothes, a book, her current favourite dvd, her bing poster, her cat teddy, a dummy and a wooly hat. It was nice to let Lily decide what she wanted to put in the suitcase so she knows that they aren't going to be left behind. 

4. Saying Goodbye to the Old House
I think for children, to understand the concept that they are leaving something and not going back they need to say bye. I know for Lily that this is important because when leaving family members behind she has always been much happier after she has said bye. So when the house is empty we are going to go around each room and say "bye bye bedroom" etc. 

5. A Nice Welcome to the New House 
I have a nice surprise for the new home and I have named him Buster the dog. He is a cute doggy doorstop. Buster will be sat in the entrance of our new home with a nice little welcome note telling Lily all about her new home. We will then progress to take him around the house as a tour to see all the rooms. We are fortunate to have my parents house to let Lily stay with while we sort the house out so the plan is to have her bedroom ready to sleep in. It will be also really nice for Lily to see the little dog each day when she comes in and start to get used to the fact its her new home. 

Have you ever had to do a big move with a little one? How did you help them adjust?