Major Concerns for Teens

The four major concerns for relocating children and/or teens are:

1. LEAVING FRIENDS - The sooner you meet new friends, the easier it will be to accept your new home. Start by meeting your neighbors and participating in activities in the area such as school, church, and recreation. These will provide very useful starts for you to make new friends.
2. SCHOOL - The quicker you can be introduced to your new school and teachers, the quicker you can adjust and accept your new situation. A personal visit to the school is highly recommended if the move occurs during the summer months.
3. CONTINUITY - Whether it’s involvement in church, scouting, sports, music, dance, or whatever, it is very helpful for teenagers to become involved in activities that you have enjoyed in your old home. Moving may also provide a great opportunity to expand your activities into other fields.
4. STABILITY - Little things such as decorating your room similar to your old room, eating at the same time that you did in your old house and other household routines may be very helpful for your adjustment process.

Here are some recommendations from the Canadian Youth Committee for those moving to Colorado Springs from Canada this summer:

1. Bring some Canadian clothing (red and white , t-shirts, baseball cap...).
2. Pay special attention to high school credits because there is a big difference between Colorado and Canada. Very important if you don't graduate from here and have to go back to finish grade 12 or to be accepted at a Canadian University.
3. School itself is different. Most have no or very small locker spaces and a lot of learning materials are supplied.
4. Each high-school has a Homecoming dance, theses are very formal, dresses look like a prom dress, but knee length. It was suggested that girls buy one in Canada, on sale. This way nobody will have the same one as you and you won't pay as much.
5. Every youth on the committee believes that their school is the best. It was concluded that after you have adapted, most students become very proud of their school.
6. Stock up on Canadian sweets like" Smarties, Coffee Crisp, O-Henry, Ketchup or all Dressed Chips, and Tim Horton coffee.

Think about the opportunities that lie ahead.

You can:

Make new friends – Meet new people, expand your circle of friends and you can still keep in touch with your old friends.

Learn about – and live in – a new place - Your move may take you to a place with a different climate, landscape, and culture.

Develop new interests – You’ll have opportunities to try different activities, hobbies and sports.

Find - all about interesting places to visit. Read a local newspaper, contact the chamber of commerce, and go to the library or search on the Internet.

Participate in new activities – Find out what clubs and sports the new location offers.

Seek new job prospects – Learn about local businesses and any employment restrictions for teens.

Investigate college opportunities – Write for brochures from community colleges, state universities and private colleges in the area.

Excerpts from “Coping with Relocation” - Tips for teens in military families