Dealing with Change

Change can be difficult to deal with no matter what age you are. No one really likes change. We get stuck in our routines. We get stuck in our habits. We basically work hard to get ourselves into a comfortable rut, and then we just stay there.

Change is something that very few of us volunteer to do. We like who we are. We like the way we live. And thinking of doing something different, something unknown, can be very daunting.

But change is a necessary part of growth. It is a necessary part of moving through life. We all can't just pull the blankets over our heads and hope that responsibility goes away. We are adults and we have to change sometimes.

It is a different matter entirely when you are a child. You are just finding your place in life. You are just finding your routine. You are learning who you are and what you like. So, change can be very disruptive. But change will inevitably happen no matter how opposed you are to it.

Perhaps you have to move. Perhaps your parents split up. Perhaps there is a death. Perhaps you get a new sibling.

Change can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it can be overwhelming to a child. After all, they do not have developed coping mechanism. They get emotionally overloaded often. They can only deal with so much change in routine before they completely break down.

Going through life changes as a child is difficult. Many children are resistant to change. Why wouldn't they be? They have so few things that make up their existence at the moment that the alteration of one aspect can send everything off balance. And it can take a little while to get things back on track.

Sometimes, when you're going through a lot of changes in life and you have a child, you need to take a second and look at things from their point of view. Perhaps they've been sassier than usual. Perhaps they are getting upset over little things more than usual. Perhaps they are being defiant. Perhaps they are acting out.

Whatever the case may be, you can often trace these changes in behaviours back to a single catalyst. You just need to pay attention to your kids. You need to think about how your life changes may impact their life. And you need to try and get a routine in place as often as possible.

As adults, we often just think that our kids will have to accept the changes and get over it. We are the masters of their lives at the moment so they will have to suck it up. And that's true enough. They really don't get a say in the matter. They just get dragged along for the ride until they are old enough to go out on their own.

But remember they have thoughts and feelings too. Your children will appreciate the change more if you discuss it with them. Ensure you explain things in a way they can understand. Be open and honest with your children. They understand more than you could ever imagine.

So, if you have to make life changes remember that everyone is impacted. Perhaps not all in the same way, but there is a definitely trickle-down effect.

Be mindful of the young people in your life. Pay attention to the signs that the change is getting too much for them. And, most of all, talk to them about things. So many of life's problems can be solved by simply communicating and putting effort into making sure everyone is on the same page.

Good luck with your changes in life. They will be many, no matter what you do to prevent them. The best thing you can really do is go with the flow, take life as it comes, and know that it is always chaos, but it's a great adventure.