How to Help My 4 Year Old Deal with a LOT of Changes?

My goodness that IS a lot! But I worry about poor MOM more than a four year old. Who's helping Mom through the HUGE major life changing transition?

(I mean, she might be coincidently going through a whiny phase anyway, right?)

It can be your Big Adventure. You and her together. Think of all the exciting new things you're both about to experience!

Wow, Alaska! That's SOOOOO cool! (ok, no pun intended either)

10 years from now she'll barely remember it. But you'll STILL be reeling!

Stay positive (if you can).

Keep us posted!

:)

Take some time to give her extra hugs, do something familiar, get her back on an even keel. We recently took my SD to college and the hair trigger this week is driving me crazy, but I know that DD is reacting to her sister going away, preschool looming, etc. Sometimes to end the bad behavior, I get down on DD's level and say, "Do you need a hug?" and then we hug and start over. Try to be patient.

To add to what the other posters have said, maybe:
-google what fun things there are to do there once you get there. Talk abt
them w/her to get her excited.
-buy her something new for her room there, like a lamp, stuffed animal,
toy, bedspread, picture etc.
-talk up the place. Be positive.
-when she starts getting whiny, give her a big hug, say "mommy loves you. I do need you to tell me w/o the whiny voice what you need. That
way mommy won't get a headache & I can help you."
-spend time w/her. Just some down time. Love on her. It's a lot of change for her and for YOU!
-buy her a special "moving" toy
-buy travel games for the trip there
-tell her you're going to have a mini party once you get there (pack balloons, some brownies, cute plates, cute napkins, confetti & a wish jar).
Keep them handy so once you get there, you set out a "welcome" party.
-take pictures of your old house for posterity. don't show them to her but save them in case she ever asks about the old house.
Good luck.

She just doesn't know how to articulate her feelings of uncertainty. So what you may be able to do is tell her what you know-when you're leaving, details about the new house, what her room will be like, the days daddy will work, where she will go to school, how many boys and girls will be in her class, the name of her new street, when relatives will come visit, how much snow there will be, where you'll go shopping,etc-anything you can do to dispel her fears will help-in three weeks-she'll be ready to roll! All the best!

oh. we have done this going on 4 times in our kids' 8 years. they get used to it. i usually talk to them a lot about the exciting things we will do in a new place. like oh wow can you imagine the new neighborhood will have a pool and we can do anytime we want. or can you imagine the new town has such and such. i don't show any stress, even while packing (which i hate), i just keep a cheerio attitude so that the kids can feed off that positivity. good luck

Let her be a part of the decision making. She can pack up her room and decide which pj's, clothes and toys to leave out until the last packing. If you will be able to paint her new room what color does she want? I think if she can have some imput she will feel better about the whole thing.

To add to what the other posters have said, maybe:
-google what fun things there are to do there once you get there. Talk abt
them w/her to get her excited.
-buy her something new for her room there, like a lamp, stuffed animal,
toy, bedspread, picture etc.
-talk up the place. Be positive.
-when she starts getting whiny, give her a big hug, say "mommy loves you. I do need you to tell me w/o the whiny voice what you need. That
way mommy won't get a headache & I can help you."
-spend time w/her. Just some down time. Love on her. It's a lot of change for her and for YOU!
-buy her a special "moving" toy
-buy travel games for the trip there
-tell her you're going to have a mini party once you get there (pack balloons, some brownies, cute plates, cute napkins, confetti & a wish jar).
Keep them handy so once you get there, you set out a "welcome" party.
-take pictures of your old house for posterity. don't show them to her but save them in case she ever asks about the old house.
Good luck.

Updated

To add to what the other posters have said, maybe:
-google what fun things there are to do there once you get there. Talk abt
them w/her to get her excited.
-buy her something new for her room there, like a lamp, stuffed animal,
toy, bedspread, picture etc.
-talk up the place. Be positive.
-when she starts getting whiny, give her a big hug, say "mommy loves you. I do need you to tell me w/o the whiny voice what you need. That
way mommy won't get a headache & I can help you."
-spend time w/her. Just some down time. Love on her. It's a lot of change for her and for YOU!
-buy her a special "moving" toy
-buy travel games for the trip there
-tell her you're going to have a mini party once you get there (pack balloons, some brownies, cute plates, cute napkins, confetti & a wish jar).
Keep them handy so once you get there, you set out a "welcome" party.
-take pictures of your old house for posterity. don't show them to her but save them in case she ever asks about the old house.
Good luck.