Moving from a place where your family has taken root is not easy for anyone. Everyone, from parents to young children, will have to say goodbye to the old life and adjust to life in the new space.
These changes can be especially difficult for teenagers, as they feel more disconnected from the social circle and the place they have known for most of their lives.
So how can you help your teens cope with the move with affordable long distance movers?
TELL THEM AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
One way or another, teenagers already associate a lot with their familiar environment, be it friends, clubs, school, or just a sense of comfort.
Therefore, it is best to let teens know about the move as early as possible and discuss why the move is necessary for the family as a whole. This will give your children more time to digest the news and deal with their emotions, and it will allow you to address any questions or concerns that may arise in advance.
ENGAGE THEM IN THE PROCESS
It may be difficult for young children to fully grasp this step, but teens are likely to have a good understanding of many aspects of such an important life change. Build on that understanding by engaging them in the process.
If possible, ask what neighborhood the child would like to live in, what kind of space they want for their new bedroom, etc. You can also take it with you to inspect potential future homes. It will also help your teen get to know the area where your family will eventually move.
You may not be able to give them everything they want, but you can figure out what is most important to them and keep that in mind when looking for a new home. This approach will help your teens to feel more than just passive observers, but to know that their needs are respected and taken into account. This kind of positive attention helps teens get through the ordeal of the moving process more easily.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS
Decades ago, travel made it much more difficult to stay connected. Phone calls and mail helped, but to a limited extent. Now that a whole world of messaging and chat apps is available alongside phone calls and email, staying connected is much easier.
Thanks to social networks, video chats and text messages, teenagers can stay close to friends from their old hometown.
Also invite your child to plan a future visit after the move. Giving your teen something to look forward to will make the process of leaving and settling in a new place more positive. Depending on the distance between the new and old homes, you can also plan future visits or invite your child’s friends to come visit you.
GENERATELY ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE NEW ENVIRONMENT
Finding interesting things to do in a new city is one of the best parts of moving. The key is to be sensitive to your teen’s feelings and don’t push too hard when they’re still adjusting or adjusting to this major change. This way you can help him find the positives in and around his new home. Look for activities that are relevant to your teen’s interests, whether it’s sports, creative clubs, or something simple like a bookstore or coffee shop.
KEEP THEIR ITEMS SAFE
If an important item such as a game console or an autographed poster of your favorite band is damaged in the process of moving things, your teenager will definitely not be happy about the move. Therefore, hire only experienced movers and packers to ensure that this important event runs smoothly.