Our kids have handled the moves relatively well. Always finding things they enjoy about the new home. Of course they miss things from the old home, but over all they have adjusted each time quite quickly and with few tears. However, as the girls are getting older we've noticed more difficulties. One gets more clingy and wants her lamby close by. The other talks often of what was left behind and keeps track of the changes... "That was our old house." "Are we going to the new house or the new-new house?" "Remember, that was when we lived in our apartment, but now we live here."
Joey and I have gotten better and better at smoothing out moves. We have a packing plan. We know what things need to be the last packed and first unpacked. We've picked up tips from others on making it easier for kids. Like arranging the furniture the same in their new rooms as it was in their old ones. We also know what needs to be out to feel settled. Apparently, so does Dorothy. With our last move we got in late. Most of the girls stuff was already set up. However, it was the first time they had seen it. Dorothy ran into the room looked around grabbed her stuffed frog and stuck him by the door. "Just like in our old room!" And off she ran. Now it was home.
As you know we are in the midst of move number 14. It is a beautiful house and we are gradually settling in. Today was a good day...we unpacked the toys. :) So, for the moment, the girls are off playing dress up and, hopefully, feeling more at home.
1 comment:
We've had that "what is home" discussion, too. :) It's nice for us that both sets of our parents are always there as a place to land. But hard to not have that sense of real home anywhere. I think of it as putting down shallow roots many places instead of deep roots one place. There are lots of places I have spent at least a week or more at, sometimes lived, visited repeatedly, and feel relaxed and comfortable. But not that one place that means home.
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