Moving over the summer? Here' a survival guide
So everyone knows that moving - especially over a long distance - is traumatic. Say the movers break some of your furniture, overcharge you by 40%, don't show up for more than a week so that you have to sleep on a crappy old futon. That could have just been us. More importantly, after the actual move itself, you are stuck in a new location with no friends, no idea where the grocery store is and two kids who fight over everything. Since you have said kids, you had to move over the summer so that they could start in the new school along with everyone else, right? So where does that leave me, er, you?
Housebound.
I tried that for a couple of days. It didn't go well. In fact, it's the first time in our marriage that my husband was actually worried about my mental health. Not sleeping for a year with a very colicky infant was nothing compared to the first week in our new locale. See, I hadn't planned for what I was going to do once we moved. The kids, they had a fun summer camp I'd signed them up for well in advance. By week two they were off a couple of days a week, meeting new friends and digging in the dirt. I quickly realized they were not the ones in need of coddling. I, who had held it all together through a three-month single parenting stint, cross country road trip and movers from hell, was no longer happy.
So, fellow moms, listen up! Do NOT let this happen to you. There are easy solutions to most of these problems.
The best solution, obviously, is to meet other moms -- fast! A great resource for this is www.meetup.com Tell it what your looking for - a stay-at-home mom's group - in your new location, and voilà! Instant access to other moms. Another plus: built-in activities. Try signing up before you move so that you can read the message board and view the calendar.
Ask around your new workplace or your spouse's for the best children-friendly summer activities. Most churches and synagogues have summer activities. So do community colleges and some universities. In fact, hop on the web before you move and check out what's available. If you've got a kids that's really into art, google "art class" and the name of your new town. The list that came up for me was surprisingly long.
Got a neighborhood pool? Go EVERY DAY. Meet moms, meet kids. Even if you aren't a linguistic whiz, strike up a conversation. Say something like, "Your daughter can really swim! Where did you put her in lessons?"
Go to the park. Try to time this for when other parents are there -- I found 9-9:30 am or from 3-5 pm to be the most active times during the week. Again, force yourself to meet other parents. I always tell people I'm new to the area, which usually opens the flood gate on advice. That's how I found out about a couple of great stores and a few fun kid-friendly places.
Go to the library. If they afternoons get stifling, check out the library's web site for activity days. This is another great way to meet parents with kids in your area AND keep cool.
Go to the Children's Museum or other Kid-friendly museum. Not only will your tots be occupied, you'll get a break from the constant question barrage and maybe get to have a little fun of your own. Plus, our museum has activities designed specifically for kids almost every day of the week.
Find a local reading hour. Many booksellers and libraries do these for younger children. It helps while away a morning.
Take walks. No matter how difficult, get out and get active. I'm much more peaceful and happy on days I've gotten some exercise.
Join a gym, yoga class or other activity -- just for you! You're probably stressed from your move. So find a hobby or course that gets you out of the house and away from the pressures of your family for a minimum of one hour each week. This is your time. Even if it's simply going down the street with a book or magazine, make sure you do something for yourself, by yourself. It's rejuvenating.
Get ready for school. Now that classes are about to begin, consider joining the Parent-Teacher Committee. Get involved in your kids' activities and school. This is the best way to meet their new friends and make some of your own!
Housebound.
I tried that for a couple of days. It didn't go well. In fact, it's the first time in our marriage that my husband was actually worried about my mental health. Not sleeping for a year with a very colicky infant was nothing compared to the first week in our new locale. See, I hadn't planned for what I was going to do once we moved. The kids, they had a fun summer camp I'd signed them up for well in advance. By week two they were off a couple of days a week, meeting new friends and digging in the dirt. I quickly realized they were not the ones in need of coddling. I, who had held it all together through a three-month single parenting stint, cross country road trip and movers from hell, was no longer happy.
So, fellow moms, listen up! Do NOT let this happen to you. There are easy solutions to most of these problems.
The best solution, obviously, is to meet other moms -- fast! A great resource for this is www.meetup.com Tell it what your looking for - a stay-at-home mom's group - in your new location, and voilà! Instant access to other moms. Another plus: built-in activities. Try signing up before you move so that you can read the message board and view the calendar.
Ask around your new workplace or your spouse's for the best children-friendly summer activities. Most churches and synagogues have summer activities. So do community colleges and some universities. In fact, hop on the web before you move and check out what's available. If you've got a kids that's really into art, google "art class" and the name of your new town. The list that came up for me was surprisingly long.
Got a neighborhood pool? Go EVERY DAY. Meet moms, meet kids. Even if you aren't a linguistic whiz, strike up a conversation. Say something like, "Your daughter can really swim! Where did you put her in lessons?"
Go to the park. Try to time this for when other parents are there -- I found 9-9:30 am or from 3-5 pm to be the most active times during the week. Again, force yourself to meet other parents. I always tell people I'm new to the area, which usually opens the flood gate on advice. That's how I found out about a couple of great stores and a few fun kid-friendly places.
Go to the library. If they afternoons get stifling, check out the library's web site for activity days. This is another great way to meet parents with kids in your area AND keep cool.
Go to the Children's Museum or other Kid-friendly museum. Not only will your tots be occupied, you'll get a break from the constant question barrage and maybe get to have a little fun of your own. Plus, our museum has activities designed specifically for kids almost every day of the week.
Find a local reading hour. Many booksellers and libraries do these for younger children. It helps while away a morning.
Take walks. No matter how difficult, get out and get active. I'm much more peaceful and happy on days I've gotten some exercise.
Join a gym, yoga class or other activity -- just for you! You're probably stressed from your move. So find a hobby or course that gets you out of the house and away from the pressures of your family for a minimum of one hour each week. This is your time. Even if it's simply going down the street with a book or magazine, make sure you do something for yourself, by yourself. It's rejuvenating.
Get ready for school. Now that classes are about to begin, consider joining the Parent-Teacher Committee. Get involved in your kids' activities and school. This is the best way to meet their new friends and make some of your own!
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