I previously wrote about our move to a new home. Now I want to share more about moving with young children; what it has been like living here with our four- and two-year-old children.
Despite everything, both children are happy in the new home. Our daughter has her moods, as usual. Our son does too. But overall, we are joyful and grateful.
What surprises me most is how well they have been eating and sleeping. Considering such a big life change, they have adapted better than I expected.
Still, it has been a lot for them.
So Many Changes, So Many Germs
With all the excitement and disruption, both children ended up getting sick – one after the other.
First, our daughter had a fever. She still has a terrible runny nose and cough. Every two minutes she needs to blow her nose, but she doesn’t really know how to do it properly yet. She doesn’t blow hard enough, and we’re constantly reminding her.
Then our son developed a fever too, along with a runny nose and cough. I’m worried he might also have a sore throat. That is especially hard for him because when his throat hurts, he struggles to eat. His appetite has definitely decreased compared to the first days here.
Around Christmas, he had a similar illness. He became very lethargic, and we ended up spending five days in the hospital. I truly hope we don’t have to go through that again.
Because our son has Down syndrome, illnesses can sometimes last longer or hit him harder. That thought is always in the back of my mind.
Hours of Care Every Day
Right now, caregiving takes hours each day.
I give pain medication when needed. I run the steam inhaler constantly for both children. I use a nasal aspirator for my son. I clean their eyes with saline solution. The “treatments” seem endless.
At the same time, couriers keep arriving with the items we ordered. Meals still need to be cooked. Dishes need washing. The house needs organizing.
And in between all that, I try to find time to simply hold them, cuddle them, and be close. Sometimes I feel like that is the most powerful medicine of all.
Two Scary Accidents in Five Days
The first five days here were especially intense for our son.
The first accident happened while we were heating the fireplace. He touched the hot glass with his hand. It was a serious burn, and he cried so hard. A large blister formed. When it burst, I called our family doctor. They instructed me to give pain medication, wash the wound with warm water and soap, apply cream, and bandage it.
Simple instructions – not so simple with a two-year-old.
I placed him in his high chair by the sink and did everything as advised. He removed the bandage three times. Finally, when I put a mitten over it, it stayed in place. After two days of careful care, I now let it heal in the open air.
The second accident was even more frightening.
I laid a large piece of cardboard on the floor and gave the children new wax crayons with sharp edges. I thought it was a good idea to let them draw.
It wasn’t.
Our son fell forward with force. He was holding a crayon upright in his hand, and it went straight into the corner of his eye. There was a lot of blood. We were terrified.
We called an ambulance immediately. By the time they arrived, the bleeding had stopped. Thankfully, the injury was in the corner of the eye, and the eye itself was unharmed. We were told we didn’t need to go to the hospital.
It was a lucky accident. But for a few minutes, we feared the worst.
Pregnancy, Exhaustion, and the Need to Rest
On top of toilet problems, washing machine issues, internet struggles, and constant deliveries, this wave of sickness and accidents has been a heavy load.
I am eight months pregnant. I need rest too.
I’m grateful that I can stay home. Sometimes I simply lie down and breathe. Tomorrow we start again with new energy.
I haven’t been outside much because the children are so congested and coughing. I don’t feel comfortable taking them out in this state. But I desperately need fresh air.
Today, when my partner came home from work, we immediately agreed that I would go alone. I walked for over half an hour. It felt incredibly good.
Cancelled Plans and Flexibility
Today our son was supposed to go swimming and to his exercise class. Both were cancelled.
We have also been planning for the children to spend time with my partner’s parents, who live just five minutes away by car. But illnesses keep ruining those plans.
Today our daughter was supposed to go there – again, it didn’t happen.
I don’t like changing plans. But illnesses decide for us.
Hopefully soon, when they recover, our daughter can go there after kindergarten again. Maybe our son too. On weekends, perhaps even their cousin will join them.
We miss that rhythm.
Finding Calm in the Middle of Chaos
Despite everything, we are still happy we moved here.
This morning I hung family photos on the wall. It immediately made the apartment feel more like home.
We are trying to stay calm and keep a positive mindset.
I look forward to the time when:
- everything has its place in cupboards instead of on the floor
- the children are fully healthy
- we can invite guests
- we can go outside freely
- we can simply exist without constant problem-solving
Until then, we take it one day at a time.
Even in sickness, even in chaos, even in exhaustion – this home is filled with love.
You are not alone.
If this story resonated with you and you’d like to go deeper, you can explore my e-book Our Journey – A Different Path. It offers honest reflections and lived experience beyond this post.
If you’re looking for practical support, I’ve created Routine Templates to help parents and children navigate daily life with more clarity, structure, and understanding.
You can also read my previous posts or follow along on Instagram @parentguidancehub, where I share everyday reflections on parenting, family life, and finding balance.
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