The Challenges of Moving With Military Children

"Moving house is really difficult, but adding children into the mix can be quite an experience, to say the least."

I remember having to sit down and have a conversation with my children about moving and relocating. I’m not going to lie—it wasn’t the easiest of conversations, especially for my middle child, who had only ever known life on our small military base and had grown used to the military base lifestyle.

Little backstory

We actually lived “behind the wire,” meaning our house was situated where all the soldiers worked. My daughter had so much freedom, as our house was opposite the play park. There were many times she went to the park all by herself to play with her friends. This made her experience of moving a bit more difficult since it was going to take away quite a lot of her independence. Living on a civilian street, she couldn’t just go to the park by herself or leave her scooter outside. Needless to say, she didn’t handle the news all that well.

Military Children do not like to pack!

Explaining to a child that it’s time to pack up their toys for a big move can be quite a challenge! But instead of dreading the conversation, I decided to turn it into an exciting adventure. I came up with a creative solution that made the packing process fun and engaging!

A Creative Solution: The Backpack Game

Get ready for a fun and imaginative adventure with the backpack game! It all kicks off with an enchanting story featuring either Tommy or Anna. Once your child dives into the captivating tale, they’ll embark on a creative journey by choosing their favourite backpack and selecting nine cherished toys to join the fun.

But that’s just the beginning! Next, they’ll unleash their artistic flair as they draw vibrant pictures of each toy on the second page. Once the drawings are complete, it’s time to add a splash of colour and bring their artwork to life!

Finally, as they pack each toy into their backpack, they’ll complete their masterpiece by sticking the corresponding pictures onto the third page. This delightful activity not only sparks creativity but also creates a memorable keepsake that your child will cherish during your move!