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Originally Posted by Boulderbabe
In my experience, these kinds of moves are always distressing to kids. My son has great attachments, but just moving to Bloomington WITH me---same mom, different house--threw him into a tailspin. My friend is moving with her husband and three year olds son, and the three year old is whacking out. So I can only imagine what it's like for kids who have to do this without their parents.
That said, I'm sure a lot depends on the child's previous attachments and basic personality type.
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Boulderbabe--I agree with you completely.
Just to share--with my husband in the military (now retired) we took great care with every move. The boys participated by packing their own toys, choosing what to take in suitcases with them and what the movers would pack and ship. We talked about where we were going, showed pictures if possible. My husband took extra time off whenever possible.
I was told how traumatized my lil guy was when taken into care--and his teenaged sister was nearly hysterical--leaping out of the sworker's car and running with him into a 7-eleven to hide. He still does not want to talk about that time--he has freely discussed everything else.
It is so important for the adults--all the adults--in the child's life to be aware of how hard it is for these children to move.
I am very thankful for the kind, and when necessary, strong-willed foster parents who advocate for careful, well-planned transitions either to family members or to the next foster home.