Q of the Week : When's the last time you moved?
Monday, July 25, 2011 at 04:08PM 
As I’ve hinted before, I’m kind of itching to move. In fact, I asked the same question a couple of years ago, and still nothing much has changed around here! It really doesn’t look like it’s happening any day soon either, but I’m mostly hopeful that it still will. I have a girlfriend who just moved with her two young ones, and another that takes the jump in a few weeks with her newly-minted son in tow. Moving with kids adds a whole other level of stress, my last two moves I was either pregnant or had a toddler.
I actually like moving, though I haven’t done it in almost 8 years now. I enjoy the chance to go through everything, pitch and sort and then pitch some more, and rediscover old treasures. I’ve sometimes had the notion that I’m leaving behind bad habits and troubles along with the broken toys and expired canned goods, but of course that never happens. They get dragged along like dust bunnies stuck in the broom bristles, and have to be sorted out in their own time. It’s a chance to start new things too though, which is always good.
I’ve always said that it’s never time to go until it hurts to leave. The last time I moved, from PA to Brooklyn, I couldn’t wait to get out of a small town and away from some frustrating situations. However, I made some mom friends right before I moved (D was 18 months at the time) and also came to appreciate the real value of some of the non-mom girlfriends I had there. I have a few fond memories there :).
So when/where/why did you last move? Kids ok with it? Tips for handling their emotions and fears to share? Love to hear your stories, as always.
Question of the Week, family, home life | tagged moving
Reader Comments (5)
I just moved after three years, three years of living in the upstairs of my parents' house with our two kids while my husband completed schooling which was long overdue. Well, the three years crept along and I hung on by the skin of my teeth battling depression, anxiety, panic attacks and massive ptsd from years of trauma which I buried to get through life. As it happens when you move back to the location where the traumas occurred you usually remember them. That was unfortunate for my sanity. Now, three years later we have a two bedroom apartment that feels like a palace and a new neighbourhood for the kids to explore and although I miss being able to let my kids roam freely in the country I am bound and determined to appreciate what we now have that is our own, HOME.
That's really rough, I can't imagine surviving that myself ... so glad you made it through and have a palace now! Congrats on making it for three long years, and may the delights of the new neighborhood overpower the regrets of country freedoms. I'm sure I'll have the reverse issue if/when we ever get out of the city! - SaneMom
Careful what you wish for! Moving with kids takes a lot of work! We moved a few months ago and now that we're settling in, I'm so happy with our new place. Moving day was hectic and unpacking seemed to take forever. Worth it, after 10 years in our previous house.
I know, it's crazy to wish for it but as you say it's worth it in the end :). Glad you're happy there! -- SaneMom
We just moved 2 months ago after 21/2 years in the most miserable apartment ever. I hated the actual moving but I love our new neighborhood. It's within walking distance of all kinds of shops and resturants and most importantly, it feels safe. My younger daughter doesn't love it as much as the rest of us but then that's because she had her heart set on a place with a pool.
So glad you got a nicer place in a safer neighborhood! Exhausting to not feel at home where you live ... - SaneMom
The last time I moved it was a two-stepper. I had been living in another part of our neighborhood and got kicked out so a family member of the landlord could have my apartment. I lived in limbo in a friend's guest room about three blocks from where I am now and finally moved into my place with a view of your living room 8.5 years ago. I hate moving with a fiery passion. I'm no good at it and I despise change. So I've scrabbled and clutched to stay near to everything I love about living here and now, if everything goes well, I'll be allowed to stay for a long while. No kids. The pets weren't super impressed by our game of three card monte but I think they liked where we ended up.
I like where you ended up too ... great neighbors make such a huge difference in how much a place feels like home. -- SaneMom
I'm itching to move, too. We live in a lovely 140 year old farm house, but it's small on rooms and land (only an acre). We need a house with more rooms inside (we have 4 kids, it would be nice for everyone to have their own room if they wanted it) and more room outside. I dream of acres of land to walk on, explore, play, run; a pond for swimming in summer and ice skating in winter; a large garden to grow all our own food; and maybe some chickens for companionship and eggs.
I've moved a lot and am no fan of all the work it involves, but I have the itch now. Of course, I have no idea when it would actually happen. Hopefully in the next year or two. Find some land and build, or an old house that fits us and needs some work. A place that we'd know was going to be our permanent home. Forever.
Something to look forward to!
I hear you, and hope you can scratch that itch soon! It gets a bit distracting sometimes, doesn't it? -- SaneMom