Relocation -A packet of challanges for our children

Relocation -A packet of challanges for our children

Miltary families relocate more frequently than civilian families, every two to three years, on average .Relocating to a new base is a challenge in itself. But when there is a kid involved, the challenge multiplies two-folds! The challenges of a relocation are particularly acute for our children .
These challanges are :

(1) kids are forced to say goodbye to friends, teachers, and the familiar comfort of their community. For adolescents, the hardest part of relocating is having to leave close friends behind .
(2) After the move, kids  might find themselves lagging behind the rest of their classmates.
(3) Many children  find it hard to make new friends.

(4) When military families move from bases to civilian neighborhoods, children often feel isolated from their peers, who can’t identify with the military lifestyle.

(5)  Everyone likes to complete the packing job well in advance. But , your baby may get stressed by the changed setting of the house.   A change in this will be unsettling for him. 

(6) Few kids require more attention from their parents. With packing on , it is difficult to devote regular time and energy to your kids . It makes them feel uneasy.

(7) If you have a very small baby and  there is a delay in receiving the boxes, your child may face many problems.

(8) Moving can be tiring and stressful for a small child and he may even show signs of illness after a hectic move.

But ,  you can move smoothly with a baby and grown up kids if you are just a little bit cautious and organised. Keep the moving tips mentioned below in mind and your job will become a lot simpler.  You need to stay focused and keep the needs of your child in the forefront .

 To make it easier for them, here’s a few things you should do:

• (1)  If you have small kids, delay the packing as much as possible. This is because your baby may get stressed by the changed setting of the house. He is used to having the bed at a particular place. A change in this will be unsettling for him. So, don’t be too quick to pack if you are moving with a child.
•   (2) With packing, it is difficult to devote the necessary time and energy to  your kids. But, your house needs to be properly packed . Hiring help for packing will ease your burden and your packing will be over in no time. This works well as you get to spend time with the kids and keep an eye on them. 
• (3) Ensure you pack your kid’s stuff yourself. Keep different boxes for his clothes, toys, medicines and other essential items. Pack a separate bag with your kid’s favourite toy, diapers (if you have a very small baby), eatables, medicines and clothes. This will last at least a week before you unpack in the new house. Keep this suitcase with you and don’t load it to the moving truck. 
• (4) Collect Your Children’s Transfer Documents . Make sure to collect your children’s transfer documents such as mark sheets, transfer certificate, migration certificate etc. These will be needed for admissions to a new school.
• (5)Before you move with your baby, ensure you speak to the paediatrician. Find out what our baby needs for a comfortable moving experience. Also, look for references of doctors and medical facilities at your destination.
• (6) You can also throw a small party for your kids and their friends. This way they will get to say a proper goodbye before leaving.
• (7) Moving day can be pretty chaotic. You are bound to get distracted by the activities happening around you.  Your kids need to be out of the house and in a place where they taken care of by a reliable person. You can ask a friend to volunteer.  You will be able to handle the moving day activities with more focus when your kids are away. This will in turn help you complete the job with precision.
• (8) Talk to your child about what the move will be like, and what challenges might occur during the process of relocation.When you talk about the relocation with your child, focus on the good things about the move. Maybe the child’s new school will have more curricular activities or there might be interesting places to visit near your new location.
• (9) Include them in your discussions and let them decide a few things about their new room. This will keep them engaged and excited about moving to a new station.Let  your child help out with packing, or encourage them to choose the color of their new room.(10)When faced with the daunting task of unpacking  in a new home, keeping regular mealtimes ,study time, play time and bed time might not be your biggest priority. But it’s important to try and establish a routine for your kids as soon as you get to the new location. stick to the regular routine. This will give them ample family time and not make them feel out of place.
• (11) Filling the new house with familiar objects like their favorite pillow, story book or toy  can also help kids feel more comfortable after a relocation. This is especially true when a family don't get a house allotted as soon as they arrive in new station and they have to stay in Mess or with some relative .
• (12) Motivate your kids to make new friends. kids should establish roots in their new community, even if they will only be staying there temporarily.
• (13) Signing kids up for  extracurricular activities running in new station  is a great way to help them meet children with similar age and interests.
• (14) collaborate with the new school . Talk to teachers and administrators before your child’s first day of school.  Let them know that you are recently posted .If teachers know that your child is lagging behind the class in studies , they can help him to make sure he is doing well.

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