European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sis Macho Al Abranz this Case from bad Tolz the military Community in Germany that has closed amid the draw Down. American troops have been trucking out of Europe inthe pressure of packing moves in on the family much of the stress and anxiety of moving is related to or Felt by children but a lot of it is easily avoided by involving them in the process. So say parents such As Susan  probably helps them if they see it As a family thing rather than just something parents Are doing to destroy their lives a says Causey a military family member in Karlstedt Germany. Her husband Brent is an army chaplain and Captain with the 2nd army div -. She says parents can ease the children a anxiety a by finding out what they like about where they Are now and showing them How they can do the same things in the new  the causes say the stresses on Young children Are different than those on teen agers. A the Little kids have More problems with the process of moving a she says. A they Are still capable of making friends quickly after the move but during the physical process of moving there is a lot of acting up. The House is empty the furniture is gone their toys Are gone. They re clutching this Little doll trying to protect  including children in the moving process helps they say. A letting them be part of the decision making and keeping communication lines open Are very important a chaplain Causey says. A what Are we going to take what Are we going to do on our leave if we take vacation when we arrive at the new Post what is the first thing we re going to do Check out the school go to a restaurant Check out the neighbourhood take time with them to do  they suggest keeping children involved from the beginning by giving them specific tasks to do. A it May be deciding what clothes to take in the suitcase what toys they want to keep out a Susan Causey says. A give them something that a theirs and they can have control Over. For smaller children it could be something like a make sure your books arc stacked on that shelf for the movers to  give them some responsibilities and some tasks to do a like cleaning  the chaplain says that applies to older children As Well. A with older kids you can have a variety of things to do and have them choose what they want to do. With older teens its important to let them feel they Are choosing. And there a going to be a lot less arguing when they have to do the task. The kids who Are part of the moving process relate better because they Are part of the team a part of the family  whenever possible parents should be flexible about their moving Date to allow children to finish a school year or semester or to participate in planned activities such As class trips sports seasons or play performances. Some families moving from one Post to another in Germany have arranged for their children to stay with another family Long enough to Complete a sports season and others have ensured their children can still attend a Long planned youth Outing even though the family has already moved he says. A move your family at the right time so students get credit for school a says capt. Kenneth Primus commander of co a 2nd in 66th Armor. Quot soldiers can request extensions if necessary. The army is really Good about soldiers who have children who arc seniors in High  to ease the anxieties about the new duty station parents should help their children find out As much about their destination As they can. An excellent Way of doing that is connecting them with children at the new duty station chaplain Causey says. A older kids and youths think its important to have a sponsor for them a he says. Quot i know a lot of kids would do that if Given the Opportunity. Parents can Contact someone at the new Post and arrange a pen pal for children of equivalent Ages. At least then they have something solid when they get there a someone to show them around. Youths want to know what a ahead for them. Does their new school have their sports clubs a place to skateboard Quot As the military shrinks in both numbers of personnel and the places they Are stationed the chances Are Good that families will know someone at their new station. A after you be been in for 10 years or so you re always going to run into someone you knew somewhere else Quot says maj. Robert Hepp executive officer of 4th in 3rd Field arty in Karlstedt. A that makes it easier if the kids know there will be kids they be seen  his wife Ronnie says children can adjust to the new Post fairly fast. A i think with moving into a new neighbourhood its just a matter of waiting for that first skateboard to go  Ken c Wauson May 10, 1992 sunday a Page 7