I dread the next move, but then again, I dreaded the last and it turned out just fine and I actually feel at home, And what's more, it only took about 6 months this time for that feeling to set in, so out of at least three years I get to feel at home for 2.5, not bad...
Military is always on the move. Whyever. Has anybody spent a thought on their kids? They just made good friends and then have to move again, start the social network all over again. And again. And again. I fear those kids could end up lonely and socially handicapped, since the best friends you have are usually those from your childhood, those who spent much time with you, and that extends "a couple of years".
I fear those kids could end up lonely and socially handicapped,
Really now?
Well, I guess I can speak from experience you don't have. My children, Navy brats, are 21 and 18.
They have never lacked for friends and definitely are not socially handicapped! If anything, the opposite is true- they are actually better equipped to handle social situations and making new friends than their friends who never moved.
Originally posted by 42317: Military is always on the move. Whyever. Has anybody spent a thought on their kids? They just made good friends and then have to move again, start the social network all over again. And again. And again. I fear those kids could end up lonely and socially handicapped, since the best friends you have are usually those from your childhood, those who spent much time with you, and that extends "a couple of years".
You know often you have friends move away as you grow up and it has nothing to do with the military at all. Lots of people are in jobs that require movement as well to other towns or countries.
Then there is the friends you have no matter how far apart you are. We have friends that we have known for almost 9 years, but for the past 4 years haven't lived closer than 1500 miles. It hasn't changed our friendship of us adults as well as the children. They still care about each other very much. This is our son's 4th school since he started and he is only in grade 3. Has it phased him? no in fact he rather enjoys it. Has he had a problem with making friends? Not really while quiet at first usually within 3 weeks he is already spending hours at a friend's house or they are at ours.
Often you fail to realize that children are tougher than you think and don't hve a problem moving at all.
My family moved around quite a bit as I was growing up. I was always sad to leave good friends, but great at making new friends and I managed to stay in touch with old friends even before email and back when long distance phone calls were an expensive luxury. We wrote letters, and I still stay in touch with childhood friends today.
Many people have commented on how relaxed and comfortable I am in new situations, meeting people and quickly establishing common ground with new people. I am definitely the furthest thing from "socially handicapped." I guess it's all in how you look at what you have...I hope that parents encourage their kids to have a positive attitude, because that makes much more of a difference than how often you move.
