Relocating to a new home can be intimidating for anyone. For a military spouse, moving to a new military installation may present with many different, even stressful challenges. It can mean uprooting yourself from everything familiar to live in a completely new environment. It can involve facing uncertainties as you and your family prepare to live in a new place for an indefinite period of time.

Any change of environment brings challenges, and moving on to a military base is no different. As a military spouse, this new change can be chaotic physically, psychologically and/or emotionally. How will you adapt to the culture and lifestyle of your new community? Will you be able to make new friends while you may long for the people you left behind? If you have children, will they easily fit into their new school? What are the opportunities that exist for you and your family?

Relocation can be a Family Experience

When a service member receives a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), it requires relocating to a new station either within the country or overseas. Although the families of soldiers are not obliged, many may prefer to accompany their soldiers and personnel to new locations.

Opting to relocate with your military spouse may be both a positive and negative experience. While it can bring opportunity to meet new people, moving away can be nerve-racking. The family may be faced with hardships associated with relocation. Often times, adjusting to a new setup can cause strain and may become a source of unhappiness among the family members.

In Support of the Soldier Spouse’s Career

The decision to relocate may feel reflective of your willingness to support the soldier’s career at the expense of other life factors. It can mean quitting your job, disrupting family life and routines, and separating from the usual interpersonal networks and social support system while your spouse may be able to gain career advancement, prestige and/or more military benefits.

You may feel as if you are expected to positively influence your partner’s response to the military, however, relocation-related problems may make things harder. Often, the first move can involve the most stressful adjustment, and it may not get easier with the next PCS. Who do you turn to for help when you’re still in the process of establishing roots in a strange environment and may feel as if it is your job to keep up morale?

Seeking Help to Mend a Disrupted Family Life

The military is cognizant of relocation-related problems being experienced by service members and their families. Various social support services and programs are in place to ease the stress associated with moving to new locations. However, you may see more benefit and improvement in your ability to adjust through working with a professional.

Like most processes with negative effects on social relationships, relocation may make you long for home. More importantly, you may yearn to return to sense of normalcy. You may benefit from the well-trained guiding hand of an expert. At Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC, you can receive assistance in managing the difficulties associated with relocation. Allow licensed, independently contracted therapists to work with you to help you meet the challenges in your new environment. Call now to request an appointment.