health
How to help children and teens adjust after relocation
Headlines about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returning to the UK with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have dominated the newspapers this week, as they embark on a new chapter after six years living in the US.
TL;DR
- Children may struggle with relocation due to loss of their existing social network.
- Signs of difficulty include withdrawal from family and social life.
- Younger children often adjust better than teenagers, whose peer relationships are more crucial.
- Disruption in routines and the chaotic nature of moving can be disorienting for children.
- Parents should be available, acknowledge children's feelings, explain the move, and help establish new routines and networks.
- Sharing personal feelings of loss can help children process their own emotions.
- Prioritizing family time is important during the stressful adjustment period.