Family Relocation
Many families have to move, and some don't have the luxury of choosing the time of year. Relocating in the middle of the school year isn't always ideal. Still, with a plan and the support of the K12 team, you can maximize the positive effects and minimize any negative effects of relocation on your family.
Reasons You Might Need to Relocate
Families may decide to move—or need to move—for a variety of reasons. Common reasons for family relocation include:
Changes in employment
Post-pandemic lifestyle changes
Military relocation
Housing
Migration after severe weather damage
Cost of living
Relocating to be near other family
Things to Consider When Relocating Your Family
Regardless of why you and your family may choose to move, relocating impacts the entire family. This is especially true when it occurs during the school year. To best prepare, here are several important considerations to keep in mind.
Research School Options
If you have school-aged children, this will be one of your biggest priorities. You may not have much choice in the destination of your move (especially if you're moving as part of the military, for example), but having a good grasp on the schooling options for your children will help you be more prepared when you arrive.
You may find that you have many possibilities to consider. Public and private schools may be available, and it will be essential to research each to determine the best fit for your student.
Online school may also be another viable option. If your student already attends a K12-powered school or another online school, they can likely stay enrolled through the relocation process. If you're moving to a new state, your student will probably need to transfer to a new district if enrolled in one of our online public schools.
Suppose your student is not yet enrolled in a K12-powered school or another online schooling option. In that case, a family relocation may be an excellent time to consider a midyear transition to online school, especially if your student is expressing any anxiety about starting at a new brick-and-mortar school.
Consider What You’re Leaving Behind and What You’ll Gain
Most likely, all members of your family will be saying goodbye to parts of their current life that they've become accustomed to. Perhaps you're moving away from friends, family, or other support systems, or maybe you're leaving behind favorite family activities by moving from a warm, beachy climate to a cold, snowy one.
Prepare and plan for these losses by thinking about what you'll gain with your move. Maybe your family will discover a new hobby you can all enjoy together, like trading the days spent on the beach for days on the ski mountain!
Discuss the Relocation as a Family
Relocating to a new area is a big change, and it's important to acknowledge the effects it may have. By opening the topic as a discussion for the whole family, you can allow your other family members, especially your children, to express how they feel about the move. Offer reassurance that the entire family is in this together and allow them to say goodbyes to friends and places that might be special to them.
You can encourage your family to focus on the positives of this new adventure but ensure that you all know it's okay to have mixed emotions, too.
How to Make Relocation Easier for Your Kids
Regardless of how smooth the move may go or how much time you have to prepare, relocation has numerous effects on families. To ease the transition for your kids, plan to put things in place that will help them feel more comfortable and secure once you arrive at your new location. Here are a few suggestions on great ways to get started.
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Build Community
Starting over somewhere new can be challenging for everyone. As soon as you're settled, find ways to connect in your new community. This may mean signing your kids up for sports, clubs, music lessons, or other extracurricular activities, or attending local programs like those often offered at public libraries.
K12 offers several options for students of K12-powered schools, such as online clubs, that enable students to connect with their peers over shared interests.
Establish a Routine
The stress and chaos of moving can upend normal rhythms and routines. As soon as possible, try to get back to your old routines or create new ones. The structure of school is a great way to kickstart this process. Having a consistent school schedule can help your children feel more grounded in their new environment. When everything feels new, familiar routines can help children feel more comfortable.
Encourage Your Children’s Input and Autonomy
Help your children feel more at ease by encouraging them to share their thoughts and feelings about the moving process and incorporating different ways they can be involved. If you’ve chosen online or homeschooling, for example, and you’re setting up a dedicated learning environment, let your student take the lead in some areas.
Would they feel more comfortable at a desk or a table? Do they want to decorate with picture frames or posters? Your student will be more positive and excited about these changes stemming from your family relocation when they feel like an important member of the team.
K12 Can Support Your Move
Whether moving for the military, professional family relocation, or another reason, there’s a lot to consider. At K12, we care about your student’s success and can support their schooling through a move. Explore our programs to see what might be the best fit for your student.
