My Daddy giving my little sister, Emma, one last push on the tree swing before we left our old house.
So your Mommy & Daddy have decided to give your house to someone else and pack up all your favorite toys?! Welcome to the club. In my seven years, Mommy & Daddy have moved me three times, so I'm a pro by now. From negotiating your own pink playhouse to choosing the perfect layout for your new room, here are my pro-tips on moving as a kid.
First, it's tough for us kiddos to remember what comes with the house and what stays. Mommy always gave me a box of my own that I could pack my favorite toys and pink blankie into so I was sure they wouldn't get lost in the shuffle. Things like walls, flowers, and doors stay at the house, but all my toys have always made the move.
Make sure your parents don't totally choose the house without you either. House tours can get boring for us kids, but it's important work... we need to check and make sure there are great hide & seek spots, good corners for a Christmas tree, and a big enough backyard for a swing set. Parents just keep looking at fancy countertops and bathroom tile... boring!.
My favorite part of all the boring house tours was when we would take a break to check out the local playgrounds. Mom & Dad might judge a neighborhood by its local coffee shop, but for me, it's all about how fast the slide goes! On your way to the playground, check and see what the neighbors are like... look for people walking cute puppies and toys in the yard. These are good signs it's a kid-friendly neighborhood for sure.
Me saying goodbye to my best friend—the build a bears we made still hold that warm hug in them!
The hardest part for me is when it's time to actually move. I hate saying good-bye to friends, so we always take special time to be with them before we leave. When I left New Jersey we made build-a-bears with my best friend there and put special hearts into our bears so we could feel each other's hugs from far away. Even two years later, we still write and make pictures for each other, and it's nice to know I always have a friend, even if she's in a whole different state.
If you need help getting ready for your own move, make sure you call a pro. No-- not my Mommy & Daddy (although we can bring them along so they can talk to your parents), I'm talking about me! I'll help you deal with keeping little brothers and sisters happy, and make the move the best it can be.
Love & Sunshine,
-Katherine