Kids Of America’s Heroes Creating Community Connections.

Dec 27, 2015
3 min read

Moving is a part of military life, but that doesn’t make it any easier. It can be especially traumatic for children: losing friends, trying to find new buddies, finding their way in a new school. By supporting the whole family, you make the transition for Kids Of America’s Heroes that much easier.

For almost every child in America, January means coming back to school and reliving the glories of winter vacation with their friends and teachers.

For many military children, January means going to a new school mid-year, meeting complete strangers, and trying to assimilate into a classroom community that is already established. Changing schools mid-year can be tough, even traumatic. Leaving a class or school where they already have friends and a relationship with their teachers is scary. They’ll be going to a new town, or potentially country, and be expected to just pick up where they left off academically. They might be scared about being behind (or way ahead) in school, whether the teachers will be nice, and if they will make new friends easily.

Luckily, there are ways that we can support our military children who are changing schools mid-year.

Parents Support Military Families

For other parents in the community, this is the time to reach out. Whether your family is military or not military connected, your active presence can help make a mid-school year move less stressful for everyone.

If you have a child in the same grade or class (or not), reach out with the parent phone tree or arrange a play date/coffee with your new neighbors. Find out their interests, and share yours. Let the kids run wild and get acquainted as well. The most important thing is to make connections and create a support network. Many military families feel alone and adrift after a move, especially if they are in a mostly non-military area. There can be few resources to help them.

Be ready to share Facebook groups or listservs for the immediate neighborhood, schools, or community. Let them know about the best child-friendly restaurants, parks, and activities. If they have little littles, offer to give them child care recommendations or share your sitter list.

Ultimately, the kids will have an easier time becoming part of a new class if the adults help them to make connections and make the transition easier for the whole family.

Create Community Connections

You don’t have to be a parent of a school-aged child or immediate neighbor to reach out to military families in your community.

Church groups are a great way to help military families to create new communities. If you become aware of a new family in town, reach out without preaching. Offer to share information about parents groups, youth groups, or connections to other military families. Find out if they need anything to help set up their house (loaner items like pots, pans, sheets, or basic furniture) or anything else. Your church could band together with other religious groups to create a welcome package offering information about all the places of worship in the community, places to seek help of any kind, childcare facilities, and youth groups.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, or other youth groups, are a great place to help ease transitions and make new friends. While there is an enrollment period that generally coincides with the start of the academic year, try to recruit new members throughout the year. Connect with the schools in your area, as well as places of worship, to find out about new families in the area. Again, offer support without pressing hard that children join your groups.

In every community there are many events that take place throughout the year. Fairs, farmers markets, and other community wide fun can help new families, military or not, to feel at home and connected. If you or your group organizes events, be sure to spread the news far and wide. Send information to schools, religious organizations, and plaster it on bulletin boards around town.

For new neighbors, run over to greet the new family! When a moving truck pulls up, chances are that the family will be in flux for a while. Bring a hot meal over, offer to watch the kids or pets while mom and dad unpack, or see what the family needs. Let them know about any neighborhood groups or events, like weekly bonfires or cul de sac hangouts. Mostly, just let them know that they are welcome and you are here to support the whole family.