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We may be moving soon and I two young children in 2nd and 3rd grade. My family is guilt-tripping me about moving saying that it will be hard on my kids. They have established close friends through school and in the neighborhood. My one friend says kids are resilient, and then we had a school principle tell us it's hard on them from 5th grade and up. I feel my kids are very social and will quickly make new friends no matter where we go. Anyone experience this?
It can be hard, but in my experience they generally follow your lead.
If you make the move an exciting opportunity, they are likely to see it that way. Show them photos of the place where you're moving, and give them a visual to look forward TO so they don't focus so much on what they're moving FROM.
A 2nd/3rd Grader, Will Bounce back as long as you plan for thing that they enjoy in your new location. Be very open to sleep overs, Going to park to let them meet, build new friendships.
Things like Sports, may sigh-up lead time of several months, So look into / Sign-up in advance. Summer Day camps also do sign-up early spring, so plan for that also.
Military families do it all the time. I moved a lot till middle school when my dad retired. Yes, it is hard on you as a child, but it doesn't damage you. I actually think it was pretty character building. I have experiences adapting to new situations and making friends.
I agree it's probably harder on older children 5th grade and up, because at that point grades and knowing the school system and the people in it start to make more of a difference. 2nd and 3rd grade should be okay. Give them a little help finding new friends when you get there, get them in some activities, and they should be fine.
I moved my daughter when she was in was in 2nd grade, she had a very best buddy that I was sad that they would no longer be seeing each other every day. my daughter adjusted very quickly and 30 some years later her and her buddy are still pals. make the move easier on your kids by telling them all about the new places they can see and learn about, meeting new people. maybe put them into an activity that they were not able to do where you are now, like horse back riding, hockey, judo, art classes.
We never really moved as kids (different house, same schools) my spouse moved a lot. His side of the country pretty much demanded you go where work is, and if it dries up you move again. vs. my area where in the 60's/70's/80's a bloke gets a great union job with benefits at 19 and kept it until retirement. We're both fine. He's more open to change then me however.
Today's economy is crap everywhere though, seems the stability of the past is very much long gone so moving for work IS the norm. So, seeing that I don't get why people would be so hard on you OP unless these people are long retired and don't get the modern times we are in. Just don't do anything weird and throw out your kids things behind their back while packing and you'll be fine.
Every child is different. We moved twice. The first time my daughter was fine, my son not so much. He had a very hard time adjusting. There is only so much you can control. My son was 8 at the time and unfortunately was bulled badly. I intervened, but sadly it lasted longer than it should have.
The second time I was very nervous after what happened, however my son and daughter both did great. We love our area and the kids are so much happier.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how resilient children are at this age. It's much harder from middle school on up when their emotional support system has expanded beyond immediate family.
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We're both fine. He's more open to change then me however. 
