When it's time to move from one home to another, it can be a daunting task. A toddler often makes this task a little bit harder because you have to continue packing and making sure everything is out of the home while caring for the child as well. Sometimes, the child might not understand why you're leaving the home, so you need to reassure the child about the new home and that everything will be alright once the family is settled inside.
Meals
This is often an area that you tend to neglect when it comes to moving. It's usually easier to just grab a sandwich or even go to get fast food so that you don't have to cook or leave pots and pans out to cook with. Plan your meals according to when your toddler eats. A child shouldn't live off of fast food, so try to keep a few healthy meal options available as well as snacks, such as carrot sticks or apple slices. A picnic dinner on the floor is a fun way for the child to see that moving can be exciting.
Moving Companies
If all else fails and you see that you need outside help, then consider hiring a moving company to help with packing and getting everything taken to the new home. A company can help to haul off anything that you no longer want. Most companies have all of the moving supplies that you need, such as boxes and tape, and can ensure that everything that is packed is secure. This will give you a chance to focus on the child instead of the moving process.
Breaks
Your child will process the moving situation in a different manner than you will. It's important to let the child play and be a toddler instead of asking that the child help pack boxes or move things from a room. This is an adjustment as the child is losing a bedroom that has likely been a comfort since birth. Try going to the park or to another fun attraction in the city so that the child can be in the fresh air instead of being inside the home the entire time you're moving.
Treats
When the day arrives to go to the new home, consider giving the toddler a moving day treat. This will show that you're thinking about the child's feelings and make the child feel like it's a pleasant time instead of one that is filled with stress and headaches at times. The treat could be something for the new bedroom, or it could be a new toy to keep the child busy while you get everything organized.
Moving can be a hassle. With a toddler, you want to plan ahead so that you have simple meals and activities for the child to enjoy. Take some time to talk to the child to explain that there will be a new bedroom and other rooms to walk through and play in so that the child knows a little about what to expect.