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It’s your third Permanent Change of Station (PCS). You had finally become comfortable in the last town where you lived. You knew where to shop the bargains and where all of the good places to eat were. Your children liked their school, and you and your spouse had your group of friends. Now you must rebuild all of that in a new city.
Moving can be tough, especially for the military family. Most families develop a system after so many PCS’s, but for the young military family the first few moves can be very stressful.
Here are some tips to help make the transition smoother.
Being a “military brat” is often a badge of pride for both children and adults. I know because, not only am I a military veteran, I am also a “military brat”. My father served in the Army for 22 years. We traveled to Europe and around the US, met all sorts of people and encountered a variety of cultures. Sometimes military kids can become a bit smug when they relate their life experiences to their “normal” friends.
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One of the most difficult tasks associated with moving into a new place is making your house feel more like home. Even if your name is on the deed, it may take a while for you to really feel like you’ve found a home.
Military families may have an especially hard time in this process because of common moves and family separations. It is common for service members and their families to subconsciously avoid attachment to particular houses and locations due to the frequency of separations but this can quickly make you feel uneasy.
It is important to feel at home in your house. Even with the difficulties of the military, there are things you and your family can do around the new house to help ease your emotions and make you feel at home. See More
One of the most difficult parts of a PCS with a family is ensuring your children receive a good education, no matter where you live. Choosing a school district from a distance can be difficult when you don’t know people in the town you are moving to. Here are some key things to research in your quest for the best school for your family. See More
The transient nature of military life means it’s not altogether uncommon to hear about a service members’ child attending nine schools before graduating high school. In fact, more than 1 million children of military parents relocate every year, according to the the U.S. Census Bureau.
Unfortunately, the timing doesn’t always work out, meaning schoolchildren are at times faced with a move during the school year. A student may be in the middle of earning a foreign language credit and serving as captain of the lacrosse team, only to move to a school that doesn’t offer either.
These are difficult moves for both families and young students. But here’s a look at six ways to help ease the transition as much as possible: See More
Much of military life is spent on the move.
Service members are typically transient, spending a few years in one location before packing up to head to a new installation. Moving can be an exciting time, but every decision is linked directly to time, effort and, of course, money.
Here are some moving tips that can help maximize your budget and your sanity: See More
Moving can be an incredibly stressful time for anyone, and when the move is mandatory for a job the pressure is really on.
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) includes any move mandated by the military from the first active post to a move back home after active duty. Often there isn’t a lot of time for service members and their families to investigate their options so here are a few tips to make sure you have a stress free move. See More
Between visiting friends and family or enduring a permanent change of station, the military lifestyle can require a lot of extra travel.
It’s not so bad when you only have to plan a trip for yourself. But the challenge can rise dramatically when you have a child or children to bring along. There are ways to avoid the potential tantrums, sheer boredom and irksome insomnia.
Here are a few tips to effectively manage and enjoy your travels with kids: See More
When families enter the military, they enter an entirely new lifestyle that only those living it can fully comprehend.
Bonds form quickly and strong friendships emerge from the mutual understanding and offered support. Those entering the military community for the first time might be surprised by the amount of camaraderie and closeness of the broader “military family”. It can be an entirely new level of friendship.
Military families can also begin to drift apart from even their closest civilian friends. Don’t worry though, there are some explanations of the differences in military and civilian friendships and we have some advice to help both types of friendships work. See More
Military life is rarely ever short on churn and change. Even if you don’t consider yourself a routine-oriented person, making adjustments to your lifestyle on a weekly basis can be stressful.
Change creates a sense of loss, and the idea of losing or ending a known comfort can lead to feelings of anxiety, discomfort and depression, according to Alive and Well News.
Often, the best thing is to focus on the positives and potential opportunities rather than mourn the losses.
Here are some ways to do just that: See More
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