Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
So how do I do this w/out screwing up my kid?
Natalie knows we're moving. We've shown her pictures of the new house, let her pick out which bedroom she wants (just from pictures, she hasn't been there yet), told her how she gets to go to a new school, meet new friends, see our old friends (adults, w/ a 20 month old that she knew well and moved last year) again, be closer to her grandparents, get to see snow, etc.
We haven't mentioned anything about how she'll probably never see her friends here again, and have tried to stay REALLY positive about the whole thing. Well, she has worked that part out, and is starting to be sad about it. Like, out of the blue, she'll start crying that she's never going to see her best friend "susie," again. They completely adore each other, are in the same preschool class, and dance class (which ends this thursday). They literally hold hands through dance class, and are completely inseparable at school.
Now, Susie's grandparents live in the same town as my parents, so it is possible that the girls could get together once a year, around Christmas, when her family travels into town. But other than that, she really will never see her. School won't start there until September, so she'll have 2 months of pretty much no friends at all, in a completely new place.
So, how do I do this w/out breaking her heart? She's 4. 
Re: So how do I do this w/out screwing up my kid?
My heart breaks for her. I love that they hold hands in dance class. That sounds so sweet.
Are there any dance classes/summer activity groups for her age group where you're moving to? Maybe she could make a few new friends in a new summer class that could help her move on from Susie sooner?
set up a skype account
My SIL moved to Portland and all my nieces friends are from here she set her up on skype and they still stay in contact with her old friends if she ever visits us she will make a day to take niece to visit friends
Maybe something like "well,it's true you won't see Susie all the time like you do now, but something fun you could do is be PENPALS! We can write letters or draw pictures. Share what you're doing, everyone loves to get mail!"
??
Perhaps when you get there or start looking now, for county programs, like dance, tumbling, etc. I would try getting her involved in something that you know she likes and it will give her a chance to make new friends before school starts.
I think just keep staying positive is good but also let her know it is OK to be sad. Perhaps say that you are going to miss your friends too.
not that you are doing this, but I think it is important to let kids feel like it is ok to feel however they are feeling. Does that makes sense? lol But try and help her find the positives. So perhaps when she tells you something that makes her sad about the move, have her come up with something happy about the move. Like the glad game in Pollyanna.
awww so sad
poor baby girl 
I hope she meets some cool new friends at her new school.
The orphanage made a memory book for each of my boys, which has been their biggest comfort when they are lonely, sad, or missing their old life. The books are mostly pictures, but include short captions and personal notes from their caregivers and other important people. The boys have looked through these books so much I've had them laminated so they can keep and use them forever (I also took pictures of each page so we have a digital copy as well). I can't tell you how many times we have found the boys in a quiet moment alone just flipping through the pages. We'll usually join them and go through the rest of book together, and let them tell us all the stories they remember.
Also, we allow the boys to call the orphanage every so often and talk to all their old friends. They always seem so much more content to realize that their past life hasn't just vanished and isn't taboo. It's a real part of them, and one they don't have to pretend just never happened.
2013 Calendars and More!
Write letters! All little kids love getting mail. And the pps are right -- once you move and she's in a different situation and whole new area, this will resolve itself, and quickly.
Updated September 2012.