Helping kids adjust into a new house?

Question

I have a 3 year old and a 5 year old, we have lived in a small apartment all their lives (all of us sleeping in one room) with the grandparents upstairs we have finally finished building our family home and the kids are having a hard time settling into the new house any ideas?

Answer 1

When we moved into our new house a few years ago I let the kids get involved with decorating their rooms and making it unique for them.  The more they got to have a say in it the more they liked the house.  Our son was only 3 at the time and had always been in our room so we put 2 monitors in his room one he could hear us on and one we could hear him that way if he needed reassuring we were there he would say something and we could respond without going into his room and still being able to hear dad snore gave him his comfort at night.  Within a few months we were able to take them out and he was fine.  I also agree it is a time to start setting the house rules and getting them use to it but dont overwhelm them with a lot at once maybe one rule at a time till they get use to it.

Answer 2

Congratulations. I would start out by letting them help organize and arrange their rooms. Then begin spending some time with them in their rooms, showing them how nice and fun it can be. Then gradually start having them spend time alone in the rooms doing those fun things. Show them how much better it is to have more room to play. And show them how happy you feel in the new home. Kids are resilient and will adjust very quickly. Good luck to you all and enjoy your new home.

Answer 3

Hello love. First I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS!! You have succeeded in accomplishing something that thousands of Americans still have not been able to do for years, and probably won't ever achieve. Be happy, and proud, you deserve it. I can since that you worked REALLY HARD  for it .Now, to help you with your children. I feel that the best way for them to feel comfortable, is to start them out in the same room. Stay in there with them until they fall asleep. make a habit of it. Get them to bed at the same time every night. Start out doing something that they like, maybe read them a book, or go over the things that they did that day. Then tuck them in, and stay with them until they fall  asleep, or are so tired that all they want to do is sleep! In the next year, they will feel so comfortable, that you WON'T have to tell them to go to bed, or let alone, worry about them not wanting there own rooms!. just make sure that they have there own space, and that they have YOUR support. Children can tell if there parents are stressed or not, so if you show that YOU feel comfortable, they will feel that way also... Good luck, and Blessings to you.... Zaria... Please, let us know how everything worked out OK!

Answer 4

give them a t.v. with a dvd player in it. let them watch some disney movies in their new room an hour a day.  I got my son at 5 yrs to finally go to his room (own bed) with this idea.  I put him in bed and put the t.v. on a timer, and bam! he's in his room and us in ours.  it was the only way that worked for him.  My daughter, she never slept with us. she's 12 now and she lays with us until bedtime then off she goes.

Answer 5

moving is always difficult on kids; and your kids are very young.  you have changed environments and just need to have patience with the kids as you all settle in.  it may take a few months, but help them by explaining that they are 'home'.  (when we moved it was hardest on our 6 yr old, bc he wanted to go back where we were before and didnt understand this is our new 'home' - it took even longer to get him to sleep in his own room - but all is well now!) Be patient and perhaps you can have a housewarming party and have the kids give your guests a tour of your new home.

the good news is, they will be fine.

Good luck and God bless you!

Answer 6

now is a great time to start  and set new rules and never go back on them they are young enough to catch on pretty quick.they will just be sure to explain yourself clearly and stick with what you say. make schedules and reward charts when we moved my son was 5 and I sat new house rules like sleeping in your big boy room every night and putting cloths in the laundry room etc and he has been doing so the new environment will help with this just be firm and in about 6 months you will be surprised at how well they adjusted. once they catch on it will be like they never knew different 3 and 5 are a great age for this.  good for you .