Moving can be an emotional time for anyone, but teens can take it especially hard. The lack of control paired with the fact that your teen years are some of the most stressful anyway is a recipe for anxiety.
To help them adjust to the move and maybe even get excited about it, follow these simple tips.
Moving Tips for Teens
Let them ask question
Teens are likely to have a lot of questions about the move, especially if it’s not one they want to make. Respect their point of view by opening up a dialogue. Explain to them as much as you can about the move, then allow them to ask any questions they have. This will show them that you respect their opinions and personal experience in the matter and will likely put ease to any anxiety they were having by being kept out of the loop.
Keep them involved in the process
Keep them involved after the discussion, too. Take them house hunting, show them the moving timeline, let them pack up their own room, and bring them with you when you go prepare anything at the new home. The more control they have and more involved they feel in the process, the less anxiety around it they will feel.
Take trips to the new community
Moving to an entirely new community can be especially stressful for teens who are used to a certain school, group of friends, and set of activities to help them feel grounded in a time when so much else is changing. Instead of waiting until you move in to explore the new community, start doing it ahead of time. Check out the restaurants, shops, and entertainment in the area, as well as their new school, so they can get used to it. That way, when you do finally move, it won’t feel so strange and unfamiliar.
Encourage them to decorate their new space
One of the most fun parts of having a new place is decorating it. Encourage your teen to start planning out their new space and even take them shopping for some new stuff. Let them pick out paint colors and décor that they can get excited about. It’s a lot of fun to personalize a room, so it will give them something positive to look forward to.
Give them time to say goodbye
Even if they are excited about the move, give them time to say goodbye to what they are leaving behind. Consider letting them throw a going-away party just for their circle of friends. Also, let them visit all of the places they loved going to before the move – their favorite restaurants, shops, and anything else that they will miss.
Make return visits to your former community
If it’s possible, make some trips to your former community so your teen can see their friends and get a taste of their old home once in a while. It will help them transition into the new community and feel less like they are “losing” anything because it’s always there, available for them to return to.