It happens often in the soccer coaching profession.

You get the call and that that program, school or club wants you to as a part of their coaching staff. Then there is the seemingly never-ending laundry list of tasks families have to check off to relocate.

While moving can be fun and an adventure for the entire family, there are some challenges that come up, especially for children. It’s one of the reasons why World Class Coaches created the Moving Families Initiative.

The Moving Families Initiative is a program that connects moving families with REALTORS® to take a proactive approach on the physical and emotional strain that kids face when changing neighborhoods and schools. The goal is to help alleviate kids’ stress during the moving process so they can socially and emotionally thrive in their new environment.

According to the U.S. Census Mobility Report, more than eight million children between the ages of one to 14 move or are relocated by their family on an annual basis in the United States. The Moving Families Initiative hopes to reach a large percentage of that population. To help them achieve their mission they have partnered with the Trevor Romain Company and participating state associations of REALTORS®.

Challenges that kids face when moving include:

Sense of loss and separation from people, places and things, coupled with the frustration and anger that comes with not having the emotional maturity to adjust to this change

Susceptibility to a wide range of emotions: depression, loneliness, anger, changes in appetite, social withdrawal, irritability, sleep disturbances, fear, all from the stress associated with loss and interruption

Interruptions/disruptions in schedules, routines, friendships, and not having the maturity to deal with this and what they miss.

The "new kid" syndrome that can bring on bullying or being bullied.

Falling grades and adjustment to changes in curriculum. There are often negative effects on learning

If you’re considering moving or relocating your family with young children between the ages of 1-14, you are encouraged to contact your local, participating REALTOR^® for information on the Moving Families Initiative and steps to take to assist your kids in dealing with the emotional and physical challenges of moving.

About World Class Coaches

An international personal and professional coaching company, World Class Coaches practices and teaches basic fundamentals as part of its coaching delivery process. For more information, visit www.worldclasscoaches.com.

About The Trevor Romain Company

An award-winning producer of DVD’s and author of books which help children deal with the challenging issues they face on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.trevorromain.com.

Sources: Children and Family Moves March 2011 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Moving Can Become Traumatic, William Steele, Caroline H. Sheppard, TLC's Journal, TRAUMA AND LOSS: Research and Interventions, Volume 3, Number 1, 2003, UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN: MOVING TO A NEW HOME National Network for Child Care NNCC Oesterreich, L., 1993, Moving to a new Home. In series, *Understanding children* [Pm 1529g]. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension, Facts for Families Children and Family Moves 2006 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Moving Can Affect Grades, Behavior United Press International Sept. 15, 1993.

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