This year is Leap Year and
each of us gets an extra day in February!
Every four years, we are given this gift of time. Historically, it was
the ancient Egyptians who found a year was roughly “365 days, 5 hours, 48
minutes and 46 seconds” instead of exactly 365 days.
Two thousand years ago,
Julius Caesar officially added Leap Year into the Roman calendar. The chance of being born on a Leap Year
birthday is said to be 1 in 1,461 births. Such people are called “Leaplings”
and are considered to have “unique talents and special personalities.” Do you
know anyone born on Leap Day? Do you have a child who was?
In any case, each of us gets
an extra day this year. Let’s think of
it as a gift of more time to prepare for your move. While adults may be focused
on a long list of what needs to be done, the children are a big part of the
equation. They have their own anxiety
and concerns about leaving the familiar – home, school friends and neighborhood
playmates, and other regular events.
Here are several ideas to
effectively use your extra day when planning a move:
- Take this time to create a records file. In this file you should put important record items from doctors, dentists, daycare/schools, veterinarians, etc. You should also use this time research specialists in the area you will be moving to.
- Have the children create “Memory Books” with photos of your present home, pictures of friends, cards and mementos. Encourage them to draw or write their thoughts in the books. It doesn’t need to be elaborate. A notebook, tape, and colored pencils can work well.
- Research your new city or town online and talk to your kids about what you’ve discovered. Is there a bouncy gym or a children’s museum? Is there a nearby library where they have special story telling times? What about the Y or another community sports and activities complex in your new area? All this will perk their interest and deter some of their concerns about the eminent move.
- Prepare a box with the most important things that you will need in the first couple of days at your new home. You should pack essentials such as: a set of clothes for each member of the family, medications, toothpaste, towels, some snacks and drinks, etc.
- Have the children pack a box you could call a “Treasure Chest” with several favorite items in it for the drive to your new home. This will give them something familiar to literally hold onto. A favorite toy or stuffed animal are comforting and can make their ride and new surroundings seem less foreign.
Lastly, here’s a timely
quote:
“Time is the longest
distance between two places.” -- Tennessee Williams
Enjoy that extra “Leap Day”
and remember the team at Superior Relocation Services is here for you. Let our
excellent professional crew and expert planning team create the specifics for
your best move yet.
