Anyone else split the year between two homes?

randa603

I saw a post on moving on the 24+ board and it got me thinking...we move every 6 months(because of DH's work).  While there are many things I like about having two homes, I feel like it's getting more challenging now that DD is almost 2.  We're getting ready to close up the house and transition to our other home and I'm just wondering if I have any snowbird sisters out there. I would love to know what you do to ease the transition for your LO's.  It wasn't a big deal when she was younger...but now I'm worried it may be stressful for her. 

TarzansWife

Hmm. I don't have the exact same situation but I travel alot for work, sometimes OOT for extended periods of time and LO and DH will come with on the super long jaunts. (So far as a family we are OOT 18 of the next 60 days for my job) Sometimes we are in hotels and other times we rent vacation homes, etc.. What I do is talk to LO alot before we leave about where we are going, etc.. I also make sure there are some "comfort items' that are always with us no matter where we are at. Examples would be LO's lovey, his musical box that he loves, favorite blankets, favorite toys, etc.. No matter where we go when we arrive I take LO to his room or area and set all his stuff up with his assistance. Then I tell him this is his room and DH and I sit with him while he explores, plays, and gets comfortable.

Most kids are super flexible and I have noticed that if we try to keep LO on the same schedule and keep similar objects around he seems to do rather well.

randa603

It's got to be tough to travel with LO in tow for work.  It's sounds like you're doing all the right things for him, though.  I try to make DD's surrounding familiar as well by having duplicate items in each home.  I show her pictures of whichever home we're not in, so, she doesn't forget.  She's adapted really well thus far.  One of my concerns now is that she has friends/playmates here, and we're leaving for 6 months...she's the perpetual new kid.