Moving, Part 2 ...

​Autism from a mama who has been there. I am hoping to post every day this month. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

I hope you had a happy, peaceful, and joyous holiday. Now, back to moving.

Moving part 2:

Moving is rough for everyone. But, just like with holidays,  you can use preparation to make your child’s move is a bit more smooth. Discuss past moves, and what to expect during the packing and the move itself. Talk about things that will be different, the home layout, the climate, or the family schedule. Point out the ways it will be the same, own bed, a library, school hours.

When you arrive at your new home, introduce your child to their bedroom and all of its similarities, window, bed, closet, door. As you and your child unpack, reintroduce beloved stuffed animals and other favorite toys. Consider organizing their bedroom a priority.

If it is before the start of the school year, arrange for your child to visit the room and meet the teacher. Reemphasize the ways this classroom is the same as the previous classroom, window, clock, door. If school has started for the year, arrange a time outside of regular school hours to visit the room and meet the teacher. Allow plenty of time before enforcing attendance. Moving is traumatic. If the change seems harder to adjust to than acceptable, talk to the school about your child attending for part of the day until they become more comfortable.

Celebrate the small stuff. Be flexible. Laugh.