Comments on: Flashback on our first family home

By: Obsessing about a “Go out and play” backyard

Obsessing about a “Go out and play” backyard — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:29:55 +0000

[...] moved into a new-old bigger house a year ago. Between having a third child and my work-from-home job, we wanted more space to live [...]

By: RookieMom Heather

RookieMom Heather — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:37:52 +0000

@Amanda,
We tend to be pretty stingy with gifts and toys, but I wanted them to be so excited that I thought we should put a new toy in every room of the house (a fun board game, a mini trampoline, nerf guns…!) but instead, I ran out of time and they were just as excited to see all their toys that had been boxed up that it felt like Christmas! Oh well.

By: Maribel Reyes

Maribel Reyes — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:19:41 +0000

From a mom that did the same {me} just 2 months ago and moved from San Diego to the Bay Area I can completely relate to what you are feeling. Moving after having kids is very different emotionally, physically and logistically. We had to pack up our belongings and move within 3 days of notice. As parents we are always thinking of providing our families with the best and in your case space was the best for your family. Yes memories make it a challenge and emotionally draining to part, but think of all the new memories you’ll make at your new home, think of all the memories your kids will make in their new bedrooms and also keep in mind that you are all together. At one point we had considered my husband relocate so that our daughter could finish the school year and then relocate the whole family, but that did not make my husband nor I or the kids happy so we all moved. Enjoy all the new adventures you’ll family have.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 03:36:10 +0000

Yes, it will be wonderful. I couldn’t handle a small townhome with 1, never mind three, and much as I love the place I’ve never regretted moving up to get a yard and a cul-de-sac full of kids and minimal traffic. The move did scare me, all the things we would need to do to the new house that we had made sure to get done in the old place BEFORE kids (hey, painting two rooms now and replacing flooring ourselves in anticipation of kid #2… the now 3yo is helping and loving it!). I felt (and still sometimes feel) the guilt over the bigger footprint, but then I see how happy our family is, remember that now we can garden for ourselves and compost and the new place is more energy efficient and … we’re chipping at the footprint in other places thanks to the move!

In other words, it’ll be good. Good luck moving!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:15:09 +0000

We moved across the country when I was 8 mos preggo and my oldest was 3. We don’t normally give new toys outside of holidays and birthdays but when we moved in we gave him a “housewarming toy” – I think it was a hot wheels ramp or something of the like. The time that he spent playing with his new toy for a few days bought me so much time to unpack. Highly recommend that.

By: Padmini

Padmini — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:49:18 +0000

Hi Heather,

We moved from our little NYC apt. to our home in out here when Tejas was 18 months old. Our apt. was cozy, we walked everywhere, we didn’t own a car…But the space was worth it. It was hard no doubt, leaving the space where we began our life together, brought Tejas home and all that… It is hard but know that you are doing the right thing for your family. And you have your lists right? You’ll be more than okay, you’ll see…. Cheers.

By: kris

kris — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 16:42:20 +0000

We moved from our first home when our girls were 2 and 3 months. It was a bit sad…but mostly relief. More space, a yard, and a much shorter commute. I agree it became home once we had the holidays here.

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:54:32 +0000

I’ve moved twice in less than a year with my two kids–first across the country and then again into our forever home in our new city. It hasn’t been that bad, considering all the upheaval. Our cross country move was very much wanted for a better life so we were all really excited about it and it all felt positive, even though moving with a 3 yr old and a 15 month old was rough. I wasn’t sad to leave our old house behind because I was ready to leave. I could be an anomaly here though.

Moving again–this time when the kids were almost 4 and 2–was also not so bad because we were moving just a few miles from the rental into the house we purchased. We were able to move slowly–a few boxes here and there–and get the kids’ room set up before we actually slept here for the first time and that helped immensely. They were excited to see all their stuff again, set up in the same way, in the new house.

I’m just glad we’re not moving again for a long, long time. We’ve downsized considerably and I’m grateful for that–smaller house means less area to take care of. Our new place is 1700 square feet, compared to like 2800 square feet of our other places. I’m enjoying the smallness. Hope you guys are happy in your new place! Everything will sort out, even if it feels crazy in the moment.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:55:08 +0000

We are in the process of selling our house and just seeing the “For Sale” sign in the yard mkes me sad. But it’s a move we want to make, I just don’t think anything can take away the grief I’ll feel at leaving our first house. Hope the move goes well.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:48:26 +0000

My mom says a new house becomes a home once you have Christmas there, get sick, or bring home a new baby. Our house felt like home when we vacationed for the first time and were relieved to be back home. We also did what CM suggested and set up out son’s room first thing. He did great with the move.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:53:59 +0000

Actually, I’m moving NEXT weekend! We currently live in the first home my husband and I bought / the house our baby was born in. We are super excited to move to the nearest “big city” and be much closer to our family, but it is definitely bittersweet to leave the place where we’ve had so many firsts.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:37:48 +0000

My goodness, I could write the exact same today. We are also moving this weekend, from our 1100 sq foot home of 9 years. The house we first moved into, the house we got engaged in, married in, brought babies to. We are moving to a bigger house. And I’m feeling the same sadness and concern as you. Just know you aren’t alone. We’re not the first or the last to make these kinds of choices for our family.
Cheers,