Relocating your family once first blended should be avoided if at all possible. Moving and the associated changes: new home and neighborhood, new schools, making new friends, loss of old friends, concerns of the other biological parent, etc. are potential stress producing events for everyone involved especially the children.
The addition of these stressors, plus the stresses associated with blending and adjusting to you the new stepdad can increase the difficulty in blending. With that said sometimes relocating might not be an option when you are offered a job or promotion you just can’t turn down. If you must move consider the tips provided by Shane Ted.
If you are offered a job or promotion you just can’t turn down, your family will be thrilled! However, they might not be so happy when they discover the job means you will all have to be uprooted from your lives and move lock, stock and barrel to a whole new place.
Relocating a family is a very brave move. If you want to get ahead in your career it can sometimes be the only answer. If you have found yourself in the position where relocating is unavoidable then there are some things you can do to minimize the impact on your family.
Tips to planning a smooth relocation:
Plan Relocating Carefully
You need to sit down with your partner and discuss just how you will both manage the move. List every single concern. Take the time to talk about how you will solve problems as they arise.
Start building a schedule of things to do, starting with all the things you need to sort out months and weeks before the move, and end up planning the last few days before you leave.
Consider Your Children’s Needs
If you have children then obviously high up on your list of concerns will be their welfare. It is never easy relocating children to a new school. They will find the change very difficult. They will also be very sad to be leaving their old friends.
They will find new friends in time of course, but it can be hard for them to believe this at the time. Make sure the place you are moving to has plenty of amenities for children including a good quality school, parks and play areas, hiking trails, etc.
In order for you to be able to make the most from your move, the children need to be happy. So take the time to make sure you are helping them settle in properly.
Think Logistics
It’s really important to remember every little job needs to be done before the move and this means more lists! You will have to let people know you are moving – from your bank to your mobile phone company.
Tick off people as you tell them and work your way gradually through the list. You will also need to change doctors and dentists and sometimes there can be a waiting list so get organized on this straight away.
Make the Effort
When you arrive at your new home, make an effort to get out into the community and make friends. This will set a good example to your children. It will also help to make you feel more at home. The more you get involved in local activities, the more quickly you will all feel settled.
Join clubs, visit the local swimming pools and sports clubs, and don’t be afraid of talking to new people! The more organized you feel, the less stressful the whole move will be – before long you will wonder what you were so worried about!
The author of this article, Jack Adams, is a marketing manager who writes for Meredian a company providing worldwide relocation services. Jack likes to cook during his spare time. Log on to meridianww.com/ to know more about his work.
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