Should I expect my 4 yr old daughter to be sad when we move into an apartment?

Question

Money is running a bit low right now, and we have to move out of our house...we've been living there for 5 years, and my 4 yr old has never lived anywhere else. Will she be excited to be moving into an apartment, or will she be sad to leave her home? In short, what should I expect?

Thanks ahead of time for your answers.

We're not moving to a different city; just from our house to an apartment. So at least she won't have to move away from Grandma and Grandpa!

Answer 1

yes she will...hopefully the apartment has a pool and you can turn a negative into a postive fun play...First thing to do when you get there if it does have a pool, drop everything in the apartment and go do something SUPER FUN...Her first memories of the place will make or break the deal. If you put her in the apartment and tell her..NOT NOW...because your unpacking...she will think everything is changing for the negative...so drop off all the boxes and go have fun!

Answer 2

every child is different. i have a daughter who is 18 months. we recently moved out of my in laws and into an apartment. we were going to try to wait it out and save enough for a house but i could not take it living there, so i settled to look for an apartment. the first two weeks were the most difficult. we been there for one month, and i think she's finally getting used to the thought of our new apartment as home. she cried the first few nights asking to go "bye-bye" and waving and pointing at the door. it was hard for me to watch her adjust. but she's fine now. when i pick her up from her grandma's after work, she waves at everyone and tells me she wants to go bye-bye to our home. she's the best. just expect the unexpected. she might like the idea or she may not. just prepare her. my daughter is too young to prepare her and make her fully understand. your daughter might understand and things may go smoother. good luck. it will be okay as time goes by..

Answer 3

she is young and she doesn't have those "special" concernes that a younger girl or teen would experience.

your four year old only accept the feelings you protray to her.

if you are anxious she will be too. if you are happy and excieted and talk to her about all the nice things there and what she can do when she gets there, she will be happy as well.

don't show sadness or concern in front of her or she will be afraid to go. then you will have to deal with those issues.

take her to the place and show her where all the furniture will go, show her what her room will look like and ask her for her opinion on what to do with it like new curtains, or a paint job.

maybe she can do some fingerpainting on a special part of the wall to make it her own.

Answer 4

There will be a period of adjustment. It is your job to make sure that this move is seen as something positive, exciting for her. Try not to let her hear you complain about having to move or your financial problems. I know it's a time when you are trying to save money, but maybe buy her something special for her personal space. Paint it a really pretty pink, get those glow in the dark stars and put them on her ceiling, a special light switch. It doesn't have to be something really expensive, just something for her to look forward to.

Answer 5

She'll be stressed out and unable to sleep at first. Expect more tantrums and crying.

Make sure you move in quickly - get all her things in there and hang stuff on the walls. If you have a certain candle or oil you always burn, use it right away in the new place so it feels more familiar to her.

And don't forget that she'll feed off your emotions too. Try not to show too much stress or cry in front of her. Talk about the good points of moving and try to be happy.

Answer 6

It really depends on your child's personality. My son loves change, loves to move, and is very adaptable. On the other hand, my niece is more reserved and routine oriented. Moving really shook her up.
She had trouble sleeping for a few weeks, had some potty accidents, and was real clingy at first. Reassurance and patience is all it takes. It's a little tough to get thru, but soon it will all just be a distant memory and she'll love the new place. Kids are more adaptable than we give them credit for!

Answer 7

At that age, she'll probably be excited lol. As long as you're happy she'll be happy and feel like every thing's fine. So enjoy your move, make it fun. Now if she was like, 6 or 7 I might say she's likely to be initially a little sad, but she will still get over it. Change is inevitable! Teach her change is fun.

Answer 8

She might be both, explain to her in her terms what is going on and that it will be an adventure. You never want to lie to them about what is going on. she will understand. every Friday my daughter and son and I usually go and get chinese and a movie form Blokbuster and when i cant afford it i tell them a couple days ahead and tell them that mommy cant afford to buy a movie and chinese tonight, but mommy will try next week and i usually come through, my 5 year old asks why i cant afford it and i tell her the truth that mommy has alot of bills that i have to pay in order for us to stay were we are living and i have to give them the money this week. She says ok and she might ask a couple more questions, but get on her level and alwyas tell her the truth dont ever lie to her.

Answer 9

Absolutely. I hated it when I was very yound when I lost my whole back yard (it was huge to me) and stuck into an apartment. But my saving happiness was the public pool and escapes to the outdoors away from people with my parents on the weekends. That was my joy amongst a very crowded apartment (everybody is too close !).

Answer 10

Yes, she will. I would prepare her for the move. Write letters or visit friends. You, youself should be excited about your adventure and help it to be and feel as much like home as your "home". Unpack quickly in your apartment so as to not feel like your in transition forever. Spend time with her and play with her and help her make new friends. Try to keep things as stress free and possible and be positive because she will be watching you!