Job transfer? About This Page:

[zeisx4]

My husband might be getting transfered to Atlanta, we currently live in the burbs of Chicago. We both have grown up here and enjoy the warmer months. Atlanta seems to be a bit cheaper to live, houses, taxes etc... I am little nervous, we have 2 kids, DS 8 and DD 6, I worry how they would be with a new enviroment.
How has ur family dealt with a transfer? Thanks for any advice!


Kristen

[Teresa]

We've never moved that far - but we have moved our kids from one school system to another.
As young as your kids are, they'll be fine. Personally, I think that the more you try to make sure that they don't suffer, the more they suffer. I have friends who have moved either here or away, and made clean breaks - as in, nice to hear from you and nice to contact you, but we're not worried about keeping in touch all the time. Other friends have done the keeping in touch, having their kids have huge "going away" parties for and with friends, and then sending their kids here (or there) to visit "old friends" for weeks at a time.
Seems the kids whose parents are more laid back about the whole thing cope better. Yeah, at the Middle School level and higher, they might not - but kids who are 6 and 8 should be fine.

I'd maybe be sure to reassure them that you'll go visit family on occassion (I'm assuming that since you both grew up around there, you'll leave extended family behind?) and that while you do that, maybe you can visit with old friends too.

[DyanKJ130]

Our family hasn't had to deal with any transfers, but I would like to wish you well!

[disneydani]

DANIELLE

[Eeyore Tattoo]

We have moved coast to coast and half way back. We love moving around the country.
We have grew up in California, moved to Columbia SC, back to California then to Texas (3 moves here) I guess we are adventurous. If you make it fun and look at it as a big fun adventure you should enjoy a totally new environment. The south is very different from Chicago.
Enjoy the move and good Luck, Get some inof for the kids to look at about Atlanta!
Check this out http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Deb

[graygables]

I'm an Army brat. I can tell you that the kids will make of it what YOU make of it. If you look at it like a whole new adventure and spend time learning and exploring your new city, they will take it in stride. If you go in dreading it, then so will they. We had an inherent understanding that we went where the Army told us to go, so getting upset or whining about it was counter-productive. "We're moving to Germany in 2 months" was quite matter-of-fact.

As far as moving away from friends, that's a part of life. My parents would exchange Christmas cards with some of the people they'd met, but the kids rarely stayed in touch. You move on, you make new friends. At 6 & 8, I think it's much easier than at, say, 12 or 13 (believe me, that's the worst time to move from a foreign country! )

Also, brace yourself for culture shock. Atlanta will be NOTHING like Chicago. People will "talk funny" and be super friendly most of the time. Georgia is a beautiful, charming place to live, but it is a far cry from what you're used to. I moved to NE Ohio from Oklahoma...reverse shock! Just try to adapt without looking at people too funny.

DDs have never moved and they just asked me how many times I moved in my life. By the time I was 30, I had moved 18 times. and I turned out OK. Mostly.

Good luck to you!

[magic mickey]

Kids adjust well. At first they may be upset to be leaving their home and their friends, but they will be fine. Make sure to include them, if possible, in picking out a new home. When we moved to a different town, I think DD was more upset to be leaving the house she grew up in than leaving her friends. You can also remind them that you are moving closer to WDW. Good luck!!