Every teenager is different, but most have a hard time with change. Being a teenager is challenging. It’s a phase full of learning, growing, and struggling. Adding a move to the mix can be very traumatic for your teen.
In fact, for the average American, moving is the third most significant stressor behind death and divorce. Much of the high stress concerns the anxiety of the unknown and surrounding life changes that have prompted such a move. Hiring a moving company in Utah can be the first step to reducing stress so that you can focus more energy on your kids’ needs. Whether you’re moving for a job, to be closer to family, or for another reason, here are seven ways to help your teenager with the adjustment.
Mental Preparation
The laundry list of tasks is quite long when preparing for a move. It can be easy to get distracted and overlook the emotional preparation needed for a teen going through such a big transition. Make sure to prepare your teenager for the move in advance.
Start talking about the move in advance to get them used to it. Focus on all the positives about the move. Bigger room? Proximity to fantastic places? Will there be a swimming pool or other cool features to hype them up about? If it’s possible, make as many visits to your new home as possible to help them visualize their new life there.
Even if you’re downsizing, there are always positive aspects to focus on, such as extraordinary surroundings, great neighbors, pretty views, or anything else that would excite your family. You know your child best, so follow your parental intuition to prepare them for their new home mentally.
Don’t Rush It
This one can be a bit tricky, depending on your timeline and specific circumstances, but it’s important not to put too much stress on your children and not to make them feel rushed. Reassure them that their job is to be a kid and enjoy life and that they don’t have to worry about significant stressors.
If it’s reasonable, consider spreading out the move over a couple of days rather than a few hours. This may not be possible if you’re moving far away, but sometimes it’s possible to bring boxes over before the actual move date and gradually begin your move before the exact move-in date. Then, later on, you can have a moving truck bring heavier items such as furniture. Make sure to coordinate with your moving company so that your furniture arrives well before bedtime so that your family can at least have familiar beds to sleep in on their first night in a new home.
Also, consider letting your kids give their old home and friends a proper goodbye. Allowing them to have closure can help with the transition.
Save Their Meaningful Items
Your teenager is already saying goodbye to their old life, be compassionate and considerate when sorting through their belongings. Keep items that bring them comfort and that will contribute to making the new place feel like home. If possible, decorate their new room with these meaningful items to help bring familiarity and a sense of safety to their new space. It may be tempting to toss things that look old and worn, but those may be some of the most comforting and sentimental items for them. When you allow them to keep their special items, you’re validating their feelings and helping them cope.
Try to Keep Them at the Same School
If you’re moving out of your current city or state, then, of course, this won’t be possible. But if you’re embarking on a short-distance move, do what you can to keep your kids at the same school to ease the burden. One of the most challenging aspects of moving for adolescents is switching schools, making new friends, and adjusting to a new environment. Staying at the same school will help them feel a sense of normalcy amid a big transition. Changing their home and school simultaneously can bring on a lot of stress for a teenager just trying to navigate the world.
Encourage Them to Stay in Touch with Friends
One of the reasons moving is so traumatic and emotional for teens is that they have to say goodbye to their friends and their community. Reassure your teen that they can stay in touch with their friends through technology, letters, and visits. Then stay firm to your promise.
A great way to set the stage to keep in contact is by having a pizza party and bonding night the day before the big move. Allow for proper goodbyes and promises to stay in touch. If your new home is not too far away, you could have your child’s friends come to your new house for a pizza party and bonding night. Even if you have to go out of your way, keeping your teen in touch with their friends will mean a lot to them.
Validate Their Feelings
Show compassion toward your teen and try to be there for them throughout this process. Acknowledge that this process is arduous, and it’s OK for them to feel and express their feelings. Reassure your teen that you’re in this together and that it’s not easy for you but that you’re grateful that you get to do it together.
Make sure you show empathy, offer your shoulder and give lots of healing hugs. Please ensure not to neglect them, shrug off their feelings or be insensitive about their emotions. They need love and support more than anything else. Oh, and they need YOU.
Get Professional Help if Necessary
If your circumstances entail a burden you feel is too much for your teen, and they are struggling big time, there’s no shame in seeking outside help. Time will, of course, tell if this is needed. It’s normal for them to have a complicated reaction to the move, but if they seem angry, depressed, anxious, or distraught compared to before, consider putting them in therapy. Early intervention can make all the difference and help them cope, heal and move on. A move can be especially hard for teens who already struggle with a mental disorder.
Moving for a teenager can be challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. But it also begins a new chapter of memories, adventures, and new experiences. Your kids will look to you to set the tone for this new adventure. When they do, focus on the positives and help them see that this will open a beautiful new door for all of you.
Infographic
Although every adolescent is unique, the majority struggle with change. Teenage life is complicated. This stage is one of learning, developing, and difficulty. Introducing a move to the situation can be pretty upsetting for your teen. Take a look at this infographic to learn the seven ways to support your teen during a move.
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