June 23, 2010 by MSI
There
are two distinct schools of thought - pun intended - on the best time of the
year to relocate with school-aged children. Some may say that you let the child
to finish out the school year, moving during summer break to allow them to
start fresh in the new location for the beginning of school year. Others argue
that the best time to move is mid-year while school is still in session.
Waiting
until the end of the school year to move the family may result in the family
being separated for a period of time in order to allow the children to complete
the school year, likely adding additional pressures for the family during an
already stressful time. At the same time, removing a child out of their comfort
zone within their existing school and placing them into a new and different
environment in the midst of managing their school work and extracurricular
activities can be difficult too.
When
families relocate during the summer they will typically plan to immediately
enroll their children in summer activities, summer camps, sports etc., however,
upon arrival they are often disappointed to find that these activities are
already filled. Many activities are affiliated with the school district and
begin prior to the end of the school year. Some camps are so popular that
registration begins in the fall for the following summer. Similarly sports
teams and academic groups offered by schools require the students to register
and "try out" before the school year ends in order to be considered
for membership in the fall. When a family decides to relocate during summer
break, they often find that families in their new neighborhoods are traveling
or already involved in summer programs, thus greatly reducing the opportunities
for children to meet neighborhood kids and begin to form friendships. The
consequence is that the child will have time on their hands and they’re likely
to become bored and eventually unenthusiastic about the move.
Some
relocation specialists counter the opinion of waiting until summer break to
relocate. By moving a child during the school year, you are enabling them to be
immediately introduced to other children their own age. They quickly establish
a routine, which makes the transition much easier. At school they can be
exposed to many opportunities for academic organization membership, sports
teams and overall familiarization with their new neighborhood. Schools help to
facilitate introductions to other kids and activities as opposed to leaving
that up to parents and children while in an empty neighborhood during a summer
move.
The
bottom line is that there are pros and cons to both options. A determination
should be made as to what time of year is best based on the needs of the entire
family. Work towards a goal of finding a school in the new location that meets
the specific needs of the family while providing the child with the best
opportunities in terms of education and extracurricular activities.
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