I'm Moving Out...Again

01/06/10

Constant moving can have a damaging effect on families, especially on young children. People who are involved in the military are much more susceptible to constant moving, and this can have a damaging effect on the children in the family. Imagine being seven or eight years old and having already attended three or four different schools. Many children have had this experience.

Children who move only once or twice in their childhood are less susceptible to these damaging effects. These children may even find moving to be exciting; it is a chance to start over, make new friends, and maybe even change yourself. However, children who are forced to move around several times per year can have serious problems in the future. They may feel like they aren't in control of anything, and that no one cares how they feel about moving. They have no choice and must move where their families goes, but what if they do not want to? They are basically forced to and this can hurt them later in life.

Kids from families that move a lot can have both social and academic problems at school. They may have problems finding and keeping friends. I have some friends now that I have know since elementary school. These kids do not have that at all. They are forced to try and make new friends wherever they go and usually lost touch with old friends. These children can also fall behinds academically very quickly. School districts frequently have different curriculums, meaning that a child can easily fall behind due to gaps in his or her educations.

Moving can be difficult for not only the families who move, but the people around them as well. Although kids definitely have a hard time going to so many different schools, teachers also have a hard time accommodating new students. Parents face a multitude of challenges, as well, including finding childcare, after school activities, etc.

Moving is hard on everyone, especially children of military families. Children, teachers, and parents are the most directly effected by constant moving.It has to be really hard to readjust at any time in life, let alone every year or two as a kid.