Anxiety and change

Change is challenging for little ones.

photo credit: teepeelearning

A. has been a trooper through all of this. Skipping naps, eating on the go and sleeping on air mattresses, on cots, in playpen's and even in bed with us.

Through it all, he's been amazing, but we've noticed a lot of questioning and anxiety in his behaviour

Having to always know where we are: Where's Maman? Where's Dada?
Asking where certain things are: Where's Maman's red car? Is this Dada's blue car? Where's home?

These are legitimate good questions, but they are difficult to answer twenty thousand times a day.

We tried to explain things best we could in terms he understood. The red car is at Opa's. We are going to pick up the keys to the new house. All your toys are in this big truck.

photo credit: teepeelearning

A. was in charge of the keys from the rental office to the house. He was in charge of exploring the house first. We also promised we would unpack his toys first. Even though unpacking our beds and dishes seems way more urgent and reasonable.

The anxiety seemed to subdue when we finally made the house ours. When he was able to recognize his things and settle into his bed. However, traces of anxiety are still present when we go out shopping or if we are not in the same room as him. We even requested a video chat with Maman's red car with Opa so A. can confirm that the car is in good hands... oh the things we will do for our kids.

- M.

Comments

Photograph..ME..

I love taking pictures of my son. I love capturing his funny mimics, his adventures and our daily life. My husband on the other hand, never, and I mean, never thinks to take pictures. We end up with albums of our son alone or with his dad. The odd few pictures of me we end up having are selfies, oddly positioned timed pictures or from the random person that may be with us that day. There is no consistency in pictures of myself with my son. I wish my husband could take a nice picture. However, I think he is genetically and physically unable to do so. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the reason professional photographers and selfie sticks were invested! Because of the inability of husbands to take nice, creative or even centered photos of us with our kids! Most nice pictures of myself and my son are completely orchestrated! This picture was taken on a ledge with a timer! This beautiful picture is completely staged because I want to remember sleeping and cuddling with my son...

A 45 minute flight to see family

Coming from the second largest country in the world, a 45 minute flight anywhere doesn't take us very far! Here in Europe, you can fly from the UK all the way to the Netherlands in this time. Once in the Netherlands, little A. got to meet his Omi for the first time and play with his "cousins". Between visits, we explored the country, enjoyed Dutch sweets and great beers. Seeing the sea, the sand dunes, the fields, the windmills was so therapeutic. It felt so good to be around things that are, somewhat, familiar! I love the Netherlands, the people, the food, the scenery, the way of life. We biked, walked, took the bus or the train everywhere. It felt liberating and little A. was in heaven. We came back a week later, energized and ready to welcome the fall. -M.

Leaving home...

Packing and moving can be a stressful time for anyone. Knowing an amazing adventure is awaiting reminds you that a sweet reward will come from all of this chaos. The movers packed, boxed, wrapped and moved our entire lives and memories into one lonely container. Now this container is making its journey across the Atlantic to our new home. In the meantime, we wait anxiously... Now, bare of our possessions, we go and say our goodbyes to our loved ones. Not an easy task! We spent the long weekend in the Muskokas enjoying the pinery nature, some Kayaking and wood fire pizzas ( a family tradition). We celebrated Canada day with family and ate our fair-share of ketchup chips, butter tarts, maple walnut ice cream and drank a few delicious Canadian Caesars. We felt extra patriotic this year and I know we will miss any little Canadian things, sayings and traditions, but we are so excited to discover new things in the United Kingston. Saying Goodbye...

maple and scone

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