Since 2020, our project team, have produced a number of free, online, award-winning research-based resources to support these families called the Child and Family Resilience Programs. In 2024, we have been working with partners and those with lived experience to co-create a new research-based storybook to support children with relocation.
The positive consequence of frequent relocations is that children get to know different parts of the country and sometimes different cultures if they are posted overseas. This can help to boost their confidence to relocate for study, work and relationships when they are adults. Also, if well supported, children can develop coping strategies to help deal with change.
Despite the positives, there are many challenges for children. They feel the stress within the family, and younger children might struggle to understand what is happening during the different stages of the move. For example, the service parent might leave early to start their new role, and the other parent and children are left to pack up their house and say goodbye. When they arrive at the new location, they might be living out of a suitcase for a few weeks before they can access their belongings.
An Australian study into children from Defence families revealed the struggles they faced making new friends and keeping old ones. The children said this was a major stress in their lives. Similarly, partners of service personnel can struggle to make friends in the new location as they move in and out of communities.
Disruptions to health care can mean their health and wellbeing is affected. Families can shuffle between waiting lists as they try to access GPs, specialist appointments and allied health services. With 30% of Defence personnel living in regional, rural and remote locations, families moving in and out of these communities, can find it difficult to get appointments before relocating once more.
In our online survey, we found that 61% of parents in Defence families said they didn’t feel confident to support their children with the stresses of service family life. Parents said moving caused them stress with comments like this:
We've moved 7 times in 5 years. (Teagan)
As my children get older it gets harder for them to relocate and stay motivated to make friends. (Freya)
When my eldest was almost 3 we were living in Sydney. We drove to the Gold Coast … for Christmas, were home… packing for 2 weeks and then flew to Rockingham to move … in temporary accommodation for 2 weeks. He was very out of control emotionally, having tantrums and he developed a stutter. We didn't really know how to support him through the stress. (Teagan)
Our eldest (4) often asks to go back to our last posting location, and often talks about his "old friends"…telling us that he "just really misses them"…we struggle to help him … he doesn't understand. (Miranda)
To support these children and parents, our new research-based storybook uses narratives we collected from those with lived and living experience of service families. It is called ‘We’re Moving Again: Caleb’s and Grandpa’s Story’. The book is suitable for all school aged children, whether they have experienced moving or not.
The story is told through the eyes of Caleb, whose family relocates as his father is a police officer, and his father’s partner is in the Navy. Caleb learns ways to cope with relocations by trying out practical strategies his grandfather suggests.
The book was co-created with our research partners who support service families. Many organisations and volunteers have contributed their time to the project. Additionally, the Canadian Forces Morale Welfare Service provided funding for the illustration of the storybook.
You can download the free e-book here, which is in draft form. We are inviting feedback to improve the resource. The final version is due to be released in October 2024. To accompany the e-book, we have co-created modules about family relocation for parents, educators and support workers. The modules provide information and practical activities to support children with relocation.
