Three Tips to Prepare for Changes in Routine

Picture this…you are taking a family vacation or moving to a new home, and you’ve spent countless hours preparing, packing, thinking through logistics - you’re exhausted, right? Now keep thinking about that to-do list - was there anything on there about helping your child to adjust to the change that’s coming?

Our children are creatures of habit - they like predictability. So what can we do to offer consistency and comfort in these situations?

Here are three tips:

• Discuss expectations: I can’t overemphasize this one enough. Talk about what the space will look like and how you’ll be spending your time. Creating these mental pictures will build in a bit of predictability and lessen some of your child’s anxieties.

• Create familiar spaces and bring familiar objects: Think about what brings your child comfort at home - is it a blanket or stuffed animal? Is it the canopy over their bed at night? Try to bring a few key comforting elements into new spaces to keep things familiar.

• Stick to routines: While we should anticipate deviations from a normal schedule, try to build in the routines that matter most for your child. Maybe that’s sticking with a consistent bedtime or making sure that you’re having regular meals. Meeting these needs will go a long way in supporting your child’s regulation.

And since parents need preparation too, here’s my biggest piece of advice for you: manage your expectations. Don’t set the bar too high, but also don’t get caught up in worst case scenarios. The more you can stay calm and connected with your child, the better regulated everyone will be.