The Emotional Side of Moving:
Listen, Just Listen
Being organized maybe key to navigating a new school after a PSC, but listening to your child – not talking – is key to navigating the emotional side of moving. Don’t press them for information right away, let them warm up to the new experience. Ask open-ended questions after each day. A few great and clever ways to understanding how you child is feeling at school is to ask the not-so-obvious question:
- Where is the coolest place at the school?
- If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed someone up, who would you want them to take?
- Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
- Where do you play the most at recess?
- Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
- Is there anyone in your class who needs a time-out?
- If you could switch seats with anyone in the class, who would you trade with? Why?
For a full list of great questions, visit the original post here.
Don’t be shy. Parents need to be involved within weeks of arrival at their new location. There will be a ton of information and insights you WON’T have access to unless you make yourself available and start connecting. Find your spot – whether it’s the PTA/PTO, inside the classroom, at your place of worship, Scout’s or sports, become a parent volunteer so you understand the school and community climate. You’ll make friends fast and so will your children.
As a fellow military connected parent, if I had the ability to will my kids into being happy and settled, I would. If could conjure up charm spells and encase my kids in emotional body armor, I would. But, I can’t, they have to figure it out for themselves. Some say moving around a lot builds character, but for me, I have an emotional death grip on the door every morning when I say, “Have a great day at school today.”
However, being an involved and informed parent who is poised for listening is my only real super power – and I know my (our) resilient kids will eventually figure out that being a #MilKid is THEIR super power!
