5 Tips to Make Moving Easier for Teenagers

If you’re facing the prospect of moving with teenagers, you know how exhausting it can be. In some ways, this is understandable.

After all, a teen faced with moving might be confronting the thought of leaving the only home he or she has ever known, and abandoning school, friends, and community all at once. This is an awful lot to swallow, and it’s no wonder so many teens act out in response.

Understanding why moving can be so tough for teenagers doesn’t necessarily make it easier for parents, however, so it’s critical to have a plan of action in place as the move progresses.

Today, we’re here to offer five smart tips to make moving with teenagers easier – for you and your kids.

Moving with Teenagers? Follow These 5 Tips

Regardless of whether this is your first family move or your fourth, these five tips will make it more bearable for the entire family:

1. Be upfront with your teenager

While they may be moody and challenging, teens are smart, and they can tell when you’re not honest. Tell your teen about the move as soon as possible. In addition to giving him or her ample time to deal with the realities of the move, this also allows plenty of time for the teenager to work through his or her process and ask you additional questions. Honesty is always the best policy, and being as upfront as possible demonstrates respect and deference for your teen.

2. Listen to their fears

Teens frequently have ungrounded fears about moving. Complaints like “I’ll never make new friends” or “I’ll fail out of school” are common. Instead of making light these concerns off, though, hear them out and help your teen reason through them. Acknowledging these concerns and helping to explain why they won’t happen is an excellent way to ground your teen in a reality check.

3. Celebrate the move with your teen’s friends

To honor your teen and his or her community, arrange a going-away party with all the teen’s closest friends. While saying goodbye isn’t easy, a party might just help ease the pain and create some lasting memories.

4. Involve your teen in the decisions

During a move, teens don’t have a whole lot of choice, and this can make them feel neglected and out-of-control. To counteract this, give your teen decision-making power when and where it’s appropriate. Things like which classes to take are ideal decision for your teen to make and can contribute to him or her feeling more involved in the moving process.

5. Be prepared for outbursts

If there’s one thing most teens aren’t great at, it is processing and controlling emotions. Moving is an emotional time, for adults and kids alike, so expect outbursts from your teen. When these flare-ups happen, listen to them and respond accordingly. This will show your teen you care and are invested in their concerns. And, hopefully, it’ll make the outburst blow over faster.

Family Moving Made Easy

While moving with teens is enough to strike fear in the hearts of titans, these five tips can make coping easier for the entire family.