Children thrive when they have a sense of Belonging and Significance. If you are a global nomad family, this ‘piece’ of their development becomes an especially important one.
The early years of life are important for strong attachment to occur, building a solid foundation for social, emotional and mental development. As children grow, family cohesion continues to strengthen the bonds.
With regards to moving or other transitions, attachment and stability are the base for adaptability and resilience. See the questions below to reflect on ways to support children during the stages of moving.
We will talk about the following:
The diagram shows the stages of moving.
1. In what ways can parents nurture attachment and stability?
2. How can parents prepare children for the move to reduce the stress of the transition?
3. How can parents address the inevitable sense of loss and grief when moving?
Children who move around the world must reestablish themselves in a new environment and so, need extra support to stabilize the ‘Love and Belonging’ piece in the puzzle. When they cannot get it in appropriate ways, they might try to get undue attention, use power struggles or revenge, or even, give up in a display of inadequacy. There are many ways parents can create a stable base and a rich home environment with opportunities for children to feel belonging and significance in positive ways.
For today’s chat, reflect on the ways you
1. Involve your child in the daily tasks, decisions and activities
2. Allow your child to become more independent
3. Create a fair system for setting up plans, expectations, agreements
4. Support your child feeling competent and capable
5. Model listening, empathy, and healthy communication of emotions
6. Schedule regular family time to enjoy and encourage each other