There is one thing you can count on as a military family. One of the many challenges that you’ll be faced with on your journey is a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Moving is a necessary and inevitable part of military life. It’s also a very large emotional and physical challenge not only for you but for your entire family.

A PCS is a "moving" experience in more ways than one. No matter how often families change residences, moving brings with it a variety of emotional situation. Oftentimes, it’s very easy to get caught up in the moving checklist of boxes, cleaning, packing and moving and overlook the emotions tied to the transition to a new location. When it comes to your children it’s very important that you take the time to allow them to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to the impending move and once you’ve arrived at your new location.

While children may understand that you’re family is moving their reactions may vary depending on their personality and developmental age. Some children are inquisitive and will want to know “why” every step of the way, some are outgoing and will naturally find friends immediately while others will become nervous, worried, or depressed. Roller coaster emotions are not uncommon. Your child may be thrilled and excited one day, then blue and depressed the next.

Generally, the younger the child, the easier the move. It’s important for you to know that most children’s sense of identity is formed by their peer groups and social belonging. The biggest worry that school age children endure is whether they’ll make new friends and fit in easily at their new school. Try to assuage this fear by painting the move in a positive light. If you see your move as an exciting adventure your children will most likely follow your lead.

Moving Tips for Military Children
It’s critical that your children have enough time to say good-bye to the family members and friends they're leaving behind. Encourage them to exchange contact information. You can also involve your children in the following activities:

• Allow your children to help with separating and packing.
  
• Explain the process of how the move will work and where the military is sending you, how long it will take to get there, as well as how and when you’ll find a new home. Keep in mind that small children may have difficulty differentiating a PCS from a parent's deployment. Most questions and fears can be eased when you sit down and have a “moving” conversation with your child. Let children be present on moving day as boxes are packed and movers take away your belongings.
  
• Make sure children have an opportunity to pick out favorite things to take along on your trip to your new duty station.
  
• Give children a special job on moving “out” and moving “in” day so they feel a valuable part of the process.
  
• Allow children to decide how their new room should be decorated and/or arranged.
  
• Investigate and explore your new neighborhood together. Look for fun and exciting things. Allow them to use a map to explore or write down a list of their favorite things/places and go seek them out. 
  
• Make a concerted effort to locate after-school activities where your children can make new friends with similar interests.
  
• Teach your children you’re new address and phone number as soon as you arrive at your new location.
  

Military Children’s Booklist – Moving
"We’re Moving!" by Heather Maisner and Kristina Stephenson.When Amy and her family move into a new house, it takes some effort to make it feel like home. Great book for infants and toddlers.

 
"The Berenstain Bears' Moving Day" by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain. The Bear family tells their story of when they moved to their tree house in Bear County.

"I'm Not Moving, Mama" by Nancy White Carlstrom and Thor Wickstrom. When moving day comes, Little Mouse refuses to leave his room.

"Who Will Be My Friends?" by Syd Hoff. Freddy moves to a new neighborhood and spends the entire book looking for new friends -- until he finally finds them.

"Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move" by Judith Viorst, Ray Cruz, and Robin Preiss Glasser. Angry Alexander refuses to move away if it means having to leave his favorite friends and special places.

"Let's Move Together" by Carol M. Schubeck. This book was written to help children and parents communicate about their feelings surrounding moving and ways to adjust to the big transition. 

"A New House: Activity book for 4 - 10 year olds" by Jill Wenzel. The games and activities in this book are designed to help children adjust to living in a new house. 

"The Moving Book: A Kids' Survival Guide" by Gabriel Davis. This practical handbook is divided into three sections:  before the move, during the move, and after the relocation.  It contains useful tools for children to stay in touch with their friends, such as an address book and change-of-address postcards. 

"Footsteps Around the World: Relocation Tips for Teens" second edition, by Beverly D. Roman, Dalene R Bickel (Editor). This workbook style text is written for teenagers facing a relocation.  It offers organizational checklists, recommends journaling, and gives communication advice. Some of the information, specifically websites, is dated (published in 2001). 

Additional Online Resources

• www.defenselink.mil/mtom/  MTOM (for Kids & Teens) was developed by military kids, for military kids with real stories and good advice on how to make a move a good thing.
  
• www.JustMoved.org Their “Mooving Family” is a huge hit with children.
  
• www.militarychild.org An excellent resource for military children resources.