Moving can be especially stressful for teenagers. The prospect of leaving their high school and established group of friends behind can be overwhelming. That is why it is important that you discuss your move with your teen with compassion and understanding. Give them plenty of time to process the information and then involve them in the planning as much as possible.
Some teens will naturally focus on the negatives of moving. It is your job to highlight the positives of moving with your teenager. Help them realize that this isn’t the end, but is instead the beginning of new opportunities for them and the family.
Moving with teens is difficult, but here are a few tips that will help them cope with the transfer.
The key to moving with teenagers is communication
Daily life with teens is stressful because they are still developing and very emotional. Moving might seem like the end of the world to them. It is imperative that you do not dismiss your teenager’s feelings about moving, regardless of how irrational they may be. Give them enough time to process the information and continue to ask them about their feelings, concerns, and fears.
It is important to be patient with your teenager as they go through the process of dealing with the emotions of moving. Keep highlighting the positives of moving with your teen so that they can begin to think about some benefits. Moving locations presents new opportunities for teens that they may not realize, like: getting involved in new activities, meeting new friends, and having new experiences.
Help teenagers stay connected and active
Although it may seem like teens are always on their phone, they may not see it as a tool to help them cope with moving. Explain to teenagers how they can use their phone and social networks to stay connected with friends and family after their relocation. They might also be interested in setting up a blog so that they can express and deal with their feelings about moving.
Your teenagers will need to be active in their new location. It may be beneficial to involve them in the process of finding and planning these activities. Here are a few activities to bring up with your teen to help them get excited about moving:
• playing sports
• attending concerts
• socializing
• exercising
• leisure activities
• vacation opportunities
• employment opportunities
Involve your teenager in the moving process
Teenagers want to feel like their opinions and feelings matter, which is why it is important to involve them in the moving process. If you are house hunting, then your teenage might be a valuable voice when choosing a new home. They will offer a different perspective that might help you make a better decision.
Let teens research the new location and offer suggestions about areas to live and things they like and do not like about the new location. Teenagers are probably better at using the internet than you are, so involving them in this process can be beneficial to your family.
It can also be helpful to give your teen a job during the move such as packing. Set goals for your teen to meet during the moving process and then provide them with rewards if they meet those goals.
Let teens be creative
Moving can present teens with the opportunity to get creative. Let your teenager design their living space, and if your budget allows, let them purchase new furniture for their room. Moving can also be a great opportunity for teens to clean out their closet and to get new clothes. You can even organize a garage sale and offer to share the profits with your teenager.
Here are some things that you can allow your teen to use their creativity and design for your new home:
• new furniture for their room
• bedding
• play room or kid’s living room furniture
• televisions and computers
• desk
• wall paint colors
• furniture layout
• outdoor activities
to conclude:
Teenagers always want new things like clothes, technology, and furniture. Moving is a great opportunity to give your teen a reward for their cooperation. Allowing them to choose things like paint colors and new bedding for their room will keep them occupied and interested in the moving process. The important thing to remember is that your teen needs to feel that their opinion matters.
Moving with teenagers can be stressful, but moving shouldn’t be. Let Roadway, NYC’S #1 Moving Company make your transfer seamless and easy.
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