Chicago Baby - Fall 2008 - (Page 26) 0-3 MONTHS New baby, new home Ten steps to a smooth move BY LEAH INGRAM I t’s said that three of the biggest stresses in a person’s life include giving birth, taking a new job and moving. Moving while pregnant, or postpartum and with a child in tow, can be exceptionally stressful. Here are 10 strategies to save your sanity. Start planning—and packing— now. If you know you’re moving three months from now, don’t wait two-and-a-half months before you start planning. Unless you’ve experienced pregnancy complications, moving activities shouldn’t pose a problem to your health or your baby’s. 1 2 Get the little ones involved. As soon as possible, explain to your toddler or preschooler, in an ageappropriate manner, that the family will soon be living in another place. Check books out from the library so he can read about a child and a move. Also, let him pack a few of his own things and then doodle on the boxes that contain his stuff. That way, he’ll recognize the boxes on the other end. 3 Pack like a pro. Start with less frequently used items, such as offseason clothing or your wedding china. Combine things that are used together, such as dishes with glassware, towels with sheets or baby’s bibs with sippy cups. Before you box up everything, gather personal records and important papers, such as birth certificates, medical records, passports and bank records. You’ll want to keep these with you at all times. Also, set aside items you’ll need immediately in your new home—everything from baby’s favorite binkie to toilet paper to light bulbs. Pack these essentials to take with you in your car. Begin networking before you leave. Your Realtor, if you’re working with one, may be a good resource in helping you locate child care facilities or a preschool. Your current pediatrician, primary-care physician and obstetrician/gynecologist are all great resources for new doctors for your family. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a pediatric referral service, which you can access at aap.org/ referral/. 4 26 | Fall 2008 | ChicagoParent.com http://www.aap.org/referral/ http://www.aap.org/referral/ http://www.ChicagoParent.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.