One of my daughters biggest complaints in her childhood was I moved her too many times as she was growing up. I'm a commercial realtor so of course moving usually meant a profit and upgrade in our home. So Sherry saw her share of different school districts and new friends and to this day, she doesn't let me forget it she is 41 years old. So.....when she decided to uproot her two youngest children. William the snowboarder you've heard about and Noah now 5 there was much resistance from the boys. Each apparently felt as though their home was the castle and neither of the boys wanted to move.
Mary 19 and Kala 20 were moving to an apartment above the detached garage, so they were happy. The question is how to establish comfort for the boys who were not cooperating and giving Sherry problems with the move. She told me Noah became a gremlin getting into everything he could and William was just making a mess a he meandered through the house.
As Sherry and I discussed the issue she determined establishing their own areas and places in the new home was going to be a priority. Each would have their own room and Sherry let them pick colors and make choices in where things would do to help them realize these areas were theirs alone.
They began to feel more comfortable as they placed furniture and possessions in the rooms. Sherry spent time with them in the house and there was bonding regarding family dinners television and game times as a family. We wondered if some of the concern might have been that the move would disrupt their patterns. That what they had come to love as a family might change with the move. It seemed like as soon as the kids realized only the address was different, in fact there was more land and more to do on this property and the habits, values, and family is in tact. There was a gentle peace that ensued. No resistance to what might be new and interesting here, and a genuine desire to cooperate and learn about all the different and exciting things the new home might offer them.
Both Sherry and I learned you don't know what lerks in the minds of our children. Take it a step at a time, and listen to your heart as you deal with any resistance your children might show. The move went well, and the kids are enjoying their new rooms.
Sherry continues to be sensitive to their comments and often asks them if they have any new issues since leaving their old home. We've decided being a team of mom and grandmom gives us a sounding board to stability. I love that my daughter continues to use me as a source of information and advice as she raises her seven children, one grandchild and three more grandchildren on the way. Life is good, even for me as I continue to fight my Ovarian Cancer battle. Treatment including Chemo has been the pits..only now since January 18th of this year do I feel like writing on my grammology blog and feeling like I'm joining the real world again. I've missed not being more involved in my daughter and grand children's lives. God has been good to us as it seems I'm back and halfway through Chemo.
Hope all is well with you....life is getting easier again...
My best,
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
www.grammology.com
