By Kylee
Moving is often a life-changing event typically defined by a fresh start — 39% of people who moved did so in order to upgrade their home, while 35% of movers relocated for the sake of a more desirable neighborhood, highlights the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey (AHS). While relocation to a new neighborhood boasts several benefits, the process is far from a walk in the park, especially for homeschoolers who were well-connected to their old neighborhood. From the value of staying in touch with old ties to the importance of healthy habits in the wake of a move, there are a number of key ways that a difficult transition can be made easier.
Routines can be grounding
When the goal is to ease the adjustment of a big move to a new neighborhood, the establishment of a routine is key. A solid routine can create a sense of predictability and help the whole family remain grounded — even amidst the chaos of a relocation. A solid routine can take form via schoolwork and mealtimes, though a parent’s daily routine can play into a healthy lifestyle as well, especially when a parent works remotely from home. Remote work has enabled today’s millennials to take advantage of the immense flexibility that such positions can bring. With goals such as a healthy work-life balance and personal growth and development, many millennials are now in favor of calm suburbs rather than big cities, a choice that may be driven by elements like affordability. Many millennials, for example, have chosen to relocate to states like Connecticut, Florida, and South Carolina, which have higher inbound moving rates, rather than states that are home to large cities like New York and California. As a result, a newfound quiet suburban life can be a great way to rediscover the stability of routines that extend beyond school and work.
Tiffany Nieslanik, who wrote an essay for Business Insider, details her experience with frequent moves and how impactful stability and routines can be. While she doesn’t mention being homeschooled, Nieslanik has plenty of experience with frequent moves, and attended at least two schools each year of childhood until junior year of high school. “This made it incredibly hard to maintain friends or consistency in any area of my life,” Nieslanik writes. For many, routines can provide security and familiarity, a fact that led Nieslanik to prioritize stability when she became a parent. In addition to predictable mealtimes and sleep, screen time, etc., it’s noted that other rituals — such as family night — can be other ways to cement stability at home.
The development of mindful connections
Teens that were well connected in their old neighborhood may quickly come to find that a move can result in loneliness, boredom, and even sadness. If you used to meet with a homeschool study group on a regular basis or participate in community sports, it can almost feel as though you’ve lost a part of your identity after a relocation takes place. While the creation of new friendships and connections is essential after a move, staying in touch with your friends can be a great way to remain connected as you work to embrace a new neighborhood.
Online interactions can play a major role when your goal is to stay connected with old friends. Whether via social media or video chats, it’s important to manage this time wisely. Too much screen time can have an array of negative effects, notes the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which range from lower quality of sleep to lower grades and less engagement with schoolwork, fewer books read, weight concerns, mood swings, and limited physical activity and time spent outdoors. While the maintenance of a connection with old friends is important, it’s essential to put your health first. Screen time limits along with the integration of productive activities such as reading a book or journaling can help redirect attention away from distractions like social media.
New activities and healthy habits
Before the big move, a bit of research can make a significant difference when it comes to the development of new social connections. Local events, festivals, and routine activities that take place are all great ways to get involved right off the bat. For older teens, a local internship or a part-time job can also help stay busy. A neighborhood sports team can be the perfect way to get active and meet new friends, while educational activities or clubs can be just as beneficial due to the value of collaborative learning, whether it’s a local study group or science club. Beyond local connections, it’s important to explore your new neighborhood or town, which can become the ideal way to spend time with the family. Local hiking trails, for example, can serve as the perfect opportunity for the whole family to spend quality time together. Running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour actually has been found to reduce the risk of major depression, highlights one study published in January of 2019 by JAMA Psychiatry. For teens specifically, Nemours TeensHealth points out the fact that exercise improves brain health and learning as well as sleep, and can decrease feelings of anxiety.
A move to a new neighborhood can be a stressful and even scary event for homeschooled teens, especially when the old neighborhood was a cornerstone for a healthy social life. With the integration of a solid family routine and the maintenance of mindful connections both with old friends and a new neighborhood, a scary transition can be made far less daunting.
