Tips for PCSing With Children

It’s that time again! Another PCS, another disruption in your child’s life. While this can be a stressful time for both you and your children, there are some ways that you can make it smooth and more understandable for your family. Here are a few tips for PCSing with children:

·      Talk, talk, talk, and talk some more. Change can be hard for anyone, especially children. They may not understand why they have to move. One way that you can involve them is to include them. When you look at new homes, locations and schools, allow them to look with you and give insight. Talk about how the PCS process will go, so that they aren’t surprised with unexpected twists and turns. Give them their own suitcase or bag to pack things that like and need during the move.

·      Create a PCS Binder for your children.  Add photos of their new home, new room, information and pictures of the new city, parks nearby, photos of their new school, and a travel map. This allows them to be a part of the process and gets them excited about all the new things in their new area. 

·      Find sports and activities for your children in the new location. Activities and sports that they were doing before you left can be an ice breaker for the new city you’re moving to. Enroll them into clubs, sports, church groups, scouts, dance, etc. right away so they have a place to connect with other children. 

·      Changing Schools. If you have school-aged children, then you know changing schools can be hard. Be prepared by contacting the school, plan IEP’s, 504 Plans, and ask for tips on how to adjust your child to the new school. 

·      Goodbyes don’t have to be sad or hard. Have a goodbye party for your children. Whether it’s bowling, a sleepover, a pool party, or just a play date at the park, let your children say goodbye to their friends. Give the parents a pre-written, self-addressed envelope with your new address so they can stay in touch. Make saying goodbye a fun memory. 

·      Stay positive. Your children pick up on your attitude and behavior. It is your job to stay cool, calm and collected, no matter how hard the PCS may be. If you stay positive, so will your children. Display that the PCS is exciting, and it will make your children have the same outlook on it. 

Yes, PCSing can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be for you and your children. By following these tips, you can ease the stress of moving and actually make it a fun, exciting time. Don’t be afraid to involve your children in the process. You might be surprised at how it can change their outlook of moving!