frequent moves

Your childhood is the pinnacle of freedom and fun, when you had the most carefree bliss. Often adults look back onto their childhood with fond memories to smile about. but, when your younger years are blurred due to frequent moves, you don't get the full appreciation of a normal childhood, because it's just a bunch of landmarks determined by where you used to live.

"Children who move often tend to perform worse in school and have more behavioral problems than those with a firmly rooted picket fence."
-NYTIMES

Children who don't grow up in one spot essentially, 'get their roots torn' over and over again. so when the time comes that they actually settle down in a place, they are either:
1. behind in academics
2. bullied
3. socially stressed

School is a major form of stress for a young child, all the other kids who have known one another since preschool tend to segregate the new kid because they are different. the other kids' roots are already set down, and at such an age, they think fairly black and white, this often leads to senseless bullying.

This topic is generally overlooked by many, they turn a blind eye and assume that that new kid is just going to blend. but in truth, when you constantly move around, some can be physiologically affected; more often than not leading that child into a low-self esteem mindset, and fixed opinions on trust and the value of some relationships. although this is not always the case.

"moving troubles only certain personality types. Introverts and those scored as “neurotic” (moody, nervous or high strung, according to a series of questions that determine such labels) were adversely affected, while extroverts remained blissfully unmoved. "
-NYTIMES

Also, just because this is a negative topic it doesn't necessarily mean that every child takes it that way, some kids just naturally command a place to belong in in new environments. it is just most common for negative outcomes to happen.

An alternative to turn to when a child is stressed with frequently moving is to just talk to them, help in anyway possible, introduce them to some future friends, keep in touch with the staff of the school to check up on behavior. but if the child is deeply affected by moving, a family or child counselor is a great way to assist their emotions.

Tonya Ratliff

• LPC, NCC, ACS
• Family counselor
• Office location: 45445 Mound rd. Shelby twp.
• 1-800-651-8085

The mental damage that comes from moving around so often can last forever, it is important to address that these new kids, are kids too, they want to get along and have fun with others. I feel that this topic should be brought to light more by educators, just as discussed about as bullying.

"The Cave"
by: Mumford and Sons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgDNCmGr-Q4

"Kids"
by: MGMT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7JthgTMHDU

Bibliography

• m.kidshealth.org
• ^"what kids who are moving should do"
• www.todaysparent.com
• ^"Study: Effects of moving on Kids' mental health"
• ^"moving with kids"
• www.nytimes.com
• ^"Does moving a child create adult baggage?"