The Effects of Moving Teens

You may be more than ready to take on a new job, explore a new city or to move to a new place in hopes of more economic prosperity -- but your teens, on the other hand, may have different sentiments entirely. As you move and settle in at your new location, expect your teen to have a wide range of strong emotions. There might be feelings of guilt and frustration. But it can also be a chance for your teen to change old patterns for the better.

  1. They'll Make You Feel Guilty

    • With the move, you've probably been pretty concerned about how your teens are going to handle it. You may not have expected, then, to be the one feeling the strongest emotions in the form of guilt. During this time of transition, your teens may get really good at laying on the guilt about the move -- so much so that they may try to take advantage of the situation and get you to buy expensive gifts to compensate. Don't fall for it though, reminds counselor Raychelle Cassada Lohmann in "Psychology Today." Guilt is only going to weigh you down and keep you from moving forward with this move, Lohmann writes.

    Experiencing a Range of Emotions

    • No matter the reason you moved, expect your teen's emotions to run the gamut from excitement to anger to sadness to anxiety. (see reference 3) The positive and negative emotions are all valid; this is a big upheaval for your family. In fact, researchers have found that moving frequently can have long-term effects. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 2010, researchers found that moving frequently as a child can result in a lower sense of well-being as adults. Still, the only thing you can do post-move is to teach your kids to look at life with a "glass half full" perspective, Lohmann suggests. Go out and explore with your teens, and encourage them to talk about their feelings as they arise.

    A Chance to Change Old Patterns

    • In general, teens tend to like stability and structure -- and routines. Without those things, they may feel confused and lost. On the flip side, though, this may be the chance to help your teens change old patterns that were not working for them. Some teens will be leaving a great group of friends, while others who may have felt like outsiders before might find themselves the center of attention. In any case, plan ahead as much as you can for activities and outlets for your teens, and let them be part of the decision-making in your move, Lohmann recommends.

    Different Genders, Different Effects

    • You may be well-versed in what could happen with the move and the range of emotions that will result -- but if you have more than one teen, don't expect them to experience the same emotions. According to research published by the National Institute of Mental Health, girls who moved out of their low-income neighborhoods and into "better" neighborhoods were found to be better-off emotionally than their male counterparts. While every teen is different, the study demonstrates the differences between boys and girls, and the complexities of moving teens out of a situation that may have looked "better" from the outside. However your teens fare and whatever their emotions, your best bet is to keep the lines of communication open and to find ways to support their emotional and physical health in all stages of the process.

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