Moving with Teenagers
It’s no secret that teenagers sometimes act out when they learn the family is moving, and who could blame them? Between studying, building social connections, and figuring out their true identity, dealing with the fact that the family is moving can be overwhelming. Teens may be the most reluctant to move and you may have to deal with some objections, but the good news is that you can help them with their struggles if you keep calm and understanding. In the following text, we’ll give you a few guidelines on how to help teens while moving house. Carry on reading to find tips on moving with teenagers.
Give them notice
Before anything else, as soon as you learn about the move you should let your teens know about it too. Give them as much notice as possible to provide enough time to adjust to the idea of moving house. Don’t postpone this and never leave the conversation for the last minute. Surprise is the last thing you want. Be ready for any kind of reaction and don’t allow yourself to lose control – make sure to follow the next tip on our list.
Keep your cool
Keep in mind that stability is important to teenagers, and disturbing it often brings frustration – remember there’s nothing unusual about it. Besides, relocating is often hard on the whole family, but it seems to be especially challenging for teens. Remember your teen period and how many struggles you had, and take it easy on your kid – be understanding and encourage conversation. The thought of starting over may seem scary, making new friends may seem overwhelming, and fitting in may seem impossible, so be an extremely careful listener at this time. Let your child speak about emotions and concerns, and make sure to remain calm.
Move during the summer months
There are several reasons why the summer months are the busiest for the moving industry. Besides nice weather and summer vacations, school breaks are often on the list of reasons for choosing peak season to move. The reason is simple – kids will not be disturbed in the middle of the school year and they’ll have more free time to adjust to change. If your schedule allows, go ahead and book moving services for the summer months. Keep in mind that peak season is the most expensive time to move, so hire movers way ahead to avoid overspending.
Another thing to remember when moving with teenagers – don’t allow the guilt to sneak into your mind. Thinking about your teenagers having to deal with changes and starting over may be difficult and even bring the feeling of guilt, but remember that you set the tone for your family. Project certainty and offer reassurance when needed, try your best to stay upbeat and if you have to – “fake it ‘till you make it”.
Help them keep connections
We’re all afraid that will lose contact with dear people when we move away, and that’s especially terrifying for teenagers. It’s your job before you even move to help them stay connected to friends and family once you move home. Create a simple plan to help them stay in touch with loved ones. One of the ways to do so is to schedule a trip back home before you even move away – that will help your teens have something to look forward to and they’ll have in mind that separation is not permanent.
Until then, make sure they have ways to contact people via phone or video call. Another important thing to do is to throw a farewell party and help your teens say goodbye and make a few more memories. Always encourage them to stay connected with their past life while exploring all the nice things a new life has to offer.
Research new area
Getting prepared for any change is often the key to dealing with it smoothly. When moving with teenagers, research and learn about the new place as much as you can and share interesting info with your teens. Find some inspiring places or activities that your new country or city offers so the whole family has something to look forward to. Not only this will help your teen but it will also help you get excited about relocation.
Involve them in the process
Teenagers are more likely to accept the change if they’re involved in all steps of the move, so don’t skip asking about their opinion. If you’re choosing a new home ask if they like it, if you’re packing ask them to help with labeling, etc. You can also show them how to make a home inventory list when moving. Teens can also help organize a garage sale before moving. In the end, let them make a decision and choose what personal things they want to bring, etc.
Get to know your new community
The faster you get involved in your new community, the better. By being familiar with new surroundings you’ll find more opportunities opening up to you – and that’ll help teens see all the nice sides of their new home. Sign up for some fun activities depending on what your children love, which will help them socialize as soon as possible and you may end up making a few friends on the way.
Give priority to teen’s room
When you’re settling in, go ahead and set up his or her room first. Having personal space with familiar objects will help get used to the new home and provide a feeling of security. When it comes to the rest of the house, try to put some fun into unpacking and organizing by doing it together, playing music, and ordering your favorite pizza.
Hopefully, our tips will help your not-quite-kids and not-yet-adults move past the feeling of frustration and have a smooth relocation. Eventually, your love, support, and a listening ear are often all it takes to ease the discomfort. For everything else, Rabbit Movers NYC is at your service. Whether you’re moving long-distance or to another neighborhood in the same city, we’ve got you covered. Contact Rabbit Movers today to chat about your upcoming move and receive a free moving estimate.