WHAT IF YOU’RE
TEENAGER DOESN’T WANT TO MOVE TO A NEW CITY?
You've got a new job
offer across the country and you are planning to pack your things, buy or rent a
new home and make the big move. However, when you tell your 17 year old
daughter your plans, she lets out a mournful wail and cries that it is not
fair. How can you possibly take her away from all of her friends, her favorite
hangout spots and the cute boy she just started seeing?
Moving house is a
difficult transition and it is even more traumatic for teenagers. The teenage
years are an important stage where young adults establish their individuality
and independence and during this time their social circle is extremely
important to them. Being removed from that against their will can make any teen
feel sad, confused, angry and resentful. Also, fitting into a new social scene
in a different location can be a challenge for a teen that might be singled out
as the “new kid".
How can you help your teen during this
transition so that the experience will be easier on them?
Here are some tips
that will make the experience of moving cities a little bit easier on your
teenager:
Give them as much
notice as possible so that they have time to adjust to the idea of moving. They
will feel like they have enough time to say goodbye to their friends and close
a chapter of their lives.
Try to schedule the
move around the school calendar, as moving in the summer is much less disruptive
to your teen's life than relocating in the middle of the school year.
Make sure that they
have ample time to spend with their close friends before they leave and once
you arrive, understand that they might go through a grieving process of missing
their old pals.
When you get to your
new home, make sure that your teen has plenty of ways to keep in touch with
their old friends, such as an internet connection and a cell phone plan.
Encourage your teen to
get involved in the community of your new hometown, such as joining sports
clubs or attending events. This can help them to make new friends
Can they stay behind? Only recommended for
kids 18 and over
In some situations,
the better option might be to let your teenager stay behind. If they are in
their older teens, they will have finished high school, maybe have a job and be
independent people of their own. Perhaps they could stay with a family member
or parents of a friend for a while until they are old enough to move out on
their own. This might make them a lot happier in the long run, rather than
taking them along with you if they really don't want to move.
Below are some links
to help you with the transition:
How to talk to an angry
teen: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/talk-angry-teen-5913.html
Make new friends:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/how-to-make-a-bunch-of-new-friends-in-any-new-city.html
Have a job: http://www.youngupstarts.com/2012/09/13/12-compelling-reasons-your-teen-should-work/
No comments:
Post a Comment