Things Are Going Really Well!
You are settled into a routine, you and your children have made wonderful friends and you are seeing them blossom in their relationships with others, classes and extracurriculars. This feeling has all too well been a part of my family’s life as well….I get it!
Then PCS orders come knocking on your door, ugh, and you are right back to where you were not to long ago: saying goodbyes, packing up and starting over. This also applies to your kiddos as well. This is not easy for anyone and, at times, it can feel overwhelming to help your littles ones work through the sadness and tears.
But it’s not all bad news! There are simple and actionable steps and resources you can take to help your kids adjust to a new home, school and starting over.
Reach Out
Once those official written orders are in your hands, social media can become your best friend. There are many facebook groups for just about every branch and MILSO situation. Although this is awesome for YOU as a MILSO, it can also be a powerful tool to help find playmates and potential friends for your military child in the process.
Post your request on the Facebook page for your next duty station or reach out to the PTA at your child’s next school. These are great places to find those potential connections.
Play dates will be a great way to break the ice in the months following your move. You can pick a general location, such as a local rec center or park, keep it low key and see if friendships ensue. Plus, it gives you an your kids something to look forward to in your new city and give you an opportunity to get the scoop on your new town!
Operation Purple Camp
I remember hearing about Operation Purple Camp and really feeling excited about this resource! Thanks to the National Military Family Association, so many kids around the country are able to attend this free camp while meeting other kids in the same situation and lifestyle as themselves.
Spots fill quickly and priority is given to those kids whose parent is deployed or a wounded warrior. But that doesn’t mean your kid won’t be able to go!
Operation Purple Camp truly is a place where memories and friendships are built to last. So go check them out and get on that list asap!
Day/Summer Camps
There is one great perk to “PCS Season” being in the summer: CAMPS! Even without an opportunity for your child to attend a Purple Camp, there are usually plenty of Day/Summer camps available no matter where you will be stationed.
Check out your local YMCA, Vacation Bible Schools, Boy and Girl Scouts and local preschools/private schools. Even a quick google search can usually bring several options right to your finger tips. Consider also tapping into those online resources you have joined! There is a really good chance that one of your new friends has kids similar ages to yours and knows the lay of the land pretty well.
Encourage Them To Continue What They Love
Is your child in sports, clubs or extracurriculars?? Do your best to research and be ready with options for them to try in your new location. Is your MILKID still looking to find their “thing? No matter when you arrive at your new location, have your children join as many sports teams, clubs or activities as reasonably possible (keeping your own schedule and sanity in mind!).
Additionally, being in different social circles will help your kids to make friends and try out different things. Maybe they tried gymnastics and it wasn’t for them. That’s ok, try something new! A new school gives them a chance to start fresh, try new things, get out of their comfort zone and reinvent themselves! Start brainstorming with your kid as soon as you can and research together the different options in your new area. They may be surprised what they end up picking and sticking with!
Set up Parent/Teacher Conference
The Military Child Education Coalition estimates that military children move 6-9 times during their K-12 education, facing multiple deployments during that time. These children rely on any support provided by the family they have at home AND the educational system they attend. A great teacher can make or break a school year. When a new military child enters the school district, sometimes the teachers are not provided with a lot of resources and background on that child.
You can help your teacher and your child out in the long run by making sure to have a PCS Education binder full of the necessities for your child to transition well into their new educational environment! Provide information about the last school, report cards, IEP/504 forms and even things as simple as your child’s likes and dislikes. These can give the teacher some ground to stand on in the classroom. Not sure where to start? I have a FREE Checklist at the end of this post just for you!
Support Contact with Other Friends
Just because your little one is no longer in the same state (or maybe even country) as their old friends, that doesn’t mean they can’t continue their friendship. Sometimes having regular contact with those friends can help ease them into their new situation and new school.
Talking regularly on the phone, have Marco Polo or Facetime Chats, regularly sending snail mail (anyone else have a pen pal growing up??) can all be fun ways to stay in touch! This doesn’t only involve the friends left behind, but also family members and other important people in your kid’s lives.
Change Can Be Hard
Each time we have PCSd we have a rotation of emotions, similar to the emotions when our loved one deploys. The good news is that eventually, things transition into a new “normal” and we get into that sweet spot again. And although we will move again….and again….and again, these steps are there to help ease the transition, even just for a little bit.
Did you snag your FREE Printable PCS Education Checklist yet?? Stay up to date with everything you need for that transition from school to school! Just complete the form below and it will be sent directly to your email!
