A 'what would you do' question

So this is kind of premature but hey, I tend to worry about the future. Brief history is we just moved to the deep south from the southwest in July. I would say that it took my older daughter about 3 months to adjust to the new house, etc. We are moving again this summer and I *thought* we were going to move in June. This would make a nice transition and we would have the summer to adjust to house and life on the west coast (YES, we are in the military and YES, I have HAD it with cross-country moves! )

My DH just found out that he will not be "released" from here until beginning of August. Not ideal. My DD will be starting preschool there (for the first time ever - she's home this year) in late August. Ah, baby is crying so I'll have to wrap up and write more later. Quickly, would you move out there early without DH (which will be traumatic to her as well!) or would you go out in August and put her in school a few weeks after the move? She is very sensitive, very emotional - she hears people talk about moving (not us! I am not going to tell her until much later b/c she would get very stressed and very anxious!) and puts her hands on her hips and says "I AM GOING TO LIVE IN THIS HOUSE FOREVER!!"

[Rapunzel]

Military here.

I moved with all five kids a few weeks before my husband came down (cross-country from New England to Texas).

It was doable - but it helped that my mom was here much of the time.

[madeintaiwan]

That is a tough one. Is the school year round or is there a start date. I worry if there is a start date that coming in later might leave her out of the loop with the other kids who have been there from the first day. Being away from dad would probably be hard. DH was gone for 4 weeks for anAI and the kids did pretty well. Sorry that I'm no help. Knowing my kids, I would before DH so the kids could start school with everyone else.

[DCJenn]

We moved first and kept Nikolai at my parents- mom flew down with him after we had set up his room with his 'stuff'.

I'd stay as a family as long as possible unless you have a way to get there slightly ahead of time.

BUT- given the extensions that are affecting everyone, I'd hold off on too much stressing- if they're still sending docs to Iraq/Afganistan at the same levels at the end of the summer you know as well as I do that the 'release' may not happen as planned.

Jenn

[mommax3]

I would wait and move with my husband. It might actually be easier for your daughter to start preschool after everyone else.....kids pick up on other kids' stress, and if everyone else is in the routine, she may have an easier time just fitting in. If she were starting elementary, I would have different advice, but since it is preschool, I think waiting a few weeks would be no big deal.

Sally

I would wait for dh...I think it will be harder on her to move without him. I know moving is soo hard, my heart goes out to you and your little girl.