It’s been a ________ (choose your adjective) 18 months. Now it’s back-to-school time. The kids may be wearing masks. They may be a foot taller. (Seriously, how did that happen?!) Life changed, and the kids changed with it. If you…
Making Friends
2020 poses many challenges for families who are moving. Of course, there are the logistical concerns and questions about moving during a pandemic. Then, there is the emotional aspect of moving during COVID-19. Will my family be happy in a…
Whenever I talk to parents about their upcoming move, their main concern is the kids. They want to know if they’ve ruined their child’s life (they haven’t) and if the kids will cope with starting at a new school (they…
I didn’t acknowledge my loneliness after we moved to Knoxville. Even to myself. Part of me felt like I didn’t have the right to feel sad about my situation. I had my husband and kids around, and I felt happy…
I host family workshops to help kids transition to a new school, and it’s the best part of my job. The kids start the session uncertain where to sit and not knowing what to expect. By the end, they’re laughing…
It’s not easy to be the new kid. I know because my husband and I moved ten times in eleven years after college. Once you’re out of school, it can be tough to meet people. You can meet people at…
Whether you’re going to your work holiday party or heading back home to chat with relatives you haven’t seen in a while, this is prime small talk season. You know it’s good to connect with others, but you’re feeling somewhat…
Kids, this blog post isn’t for you. Ignore everything you read here and listen to your Mom. You should not talk to strangers. Everyone else, forget what your Mom said. Talk to strangers. It’s good practice for trying out all…
Summer camp offers kids a lot of the same benefits as moving does, but without the hassle of packing up a truck. Kids get to reinvent themselves and gain self-confidence as they handle situations on their own. Sure, it can be…
It can be tough to make new friends when you move somewhere new. It can be particularly challenging if you’re self-employed and you’re not going into the office every day. When you work from home, you need to be creative to overcome…