PCS AND THE IMPACT ON MILITARY FAMILIES:

As a parent, you know that moving from location to location has a great effect on children. Although we know that kids will bounce back and find adventure in a new home, new friends, and a new school, they still have to transition and experience the real “impact” of moving.

Permanent Change of Station, or better known as PCS, is the official relocation of an active duty military member — along with any family members living with him or her — to a new duty location, such as a military base.

Military Moves Impact on Kids

Currently, there are 2,000,000 military-connected children in America. Military families move on an average of every 2 and 3 years, which means that about 500,000 military children change schools annually. Every school district in the US has military-connected children. Now let’s look at the real impact of changing a duty station for children.

One Move Equals the Following:

— a change of address

— a change of school

— a change of teachers

— a change of friends

— a change in schedules

— a change in routines

— a change in neighborhood

— a change in activities

— a change in housing

A Study by the Health Behavior News Service Journal of Adolescent Health

This study discovered that children in military families who experience PCS have an increase in the following mental health problem:attention-deficit, conduct disorders, self-injury, and suicidal behaviors. 

The study indicated that geographical moves are reported to have an adverse effect on the children’s mental health. Since PCS is typical in military families, the results were somewhat surprising.

Moving Can Cause Children Stressors

R. Scott Benson, M.D., a child psychiatrist in Pensacola, FL and a former speaker of the American Psychiatric Association Assembly, said, “it showed that these children experience these moves as stressors.” Parents should weigh in on the effects of a move on their children and give consideration to their developmental needs, Benson explained.

While PCS isn’t associated to mental health problems for all children, it’s important for parents and teachers to acclimate children during and after PCS. Wondering what you can do?

There are Some Great Resources Out There

As a veteran-owned company, we know the impact on the kids first-hand and found some great resources for all the Military Parents out there. Below are some great resources we have found for military parents!

1. Here you will find real life stories and resources to help you navigate your military life: https://blog.militaryfamily.org 

2. This resource provides PCS relocation information, job opportunities for family members, coupons, and more valuable resources for military families: http://militaryoneclick.com/tag/pcs-and-relocation/ 

3. This resource focuses on 24/7 online support for military parents and children. You can find educational programs for children, health and wellness tips, financial and legal advice, and more: http://www.militaryonesource.mil

What’s the Best Time of Year to Search for an Apartment?

t Rent.com, we often get asked the question, “What is the best time of year to rent an apartment?” It’s a tough question because there are a lot of factors that come into play. However, there are some general rules to follow.

Assuming you have the flexibility to pick a time of the year to move, the first thing you need to decide is what is more important to you: saving as much money as possible or having a lot of options to choose from.

Looking for Options: May – September

Most Americans move between May and September. This is not surprising when you think about the fact that young people start or graduate from college during this time, younger kids are out of school on summer break, and the weather is generally more accommodating to moving your household from one location to another.

Because of this, there is more turnover in rental units during this time of the year as compared to most any other time of the year–which means you may have a wider selection of units to choose from than at other times of the year.

The flip side is that there may also be greater demand from renters vying for those rental units during the summer than at other times of the year. This may mean that you have to act more quickly in making a decision about a rental so as not to lose it to another interested renter.

Looking to Save Money: October – April

If you’re looking for a deal on an apartment, winter is generally the best time to find a new placeto live. Apartment turnover is much slower during the winter months, so while you may have fewer units to choose from, property managers may be more likely to cut you a deal to fill their vacancies.

In addition to doing your apartment search during the off-season, you’ll generally get a better deal on an apartment in markets that have greater supply than demand. Try to get a feel for the vacancy rates in the area and look for neighborhoods with new apartment construction. Neighborhoods with higher vacancy rates and new supply are a good place to start looking for an apartment for rent.