Postings - How do you navigate it?

[0ddsidian]

It's about that time of year now; POSTINGS.

Most posting orders are out or coming out now, and families are needing to navigate it all!

You'll probably need to find a house. WHEN are you going to move? Do you have to sort out your current house? Maybe figure out schooling for kids. Maybe you're a spouse who will need to resign from their current job because of the move. How do you explain the need to move (again) to kids? The stress of postings cannot be diminished.

Growing up in an ADF family I can remember (to varying degrees) every posting that my family went through. I can tell you that I was never excited for it. Time to uproot our whole lives again and move to a new place. Say goodbye to friends and connections that I'd taken the time to make.

What have your experiences with postings been?
How has it impacted your mental health?
What are some of biggest challenges?
Do you have any tips?

@Caring_wife @EchoGirl @CJ130 @Heyyou @Enewt95 @Cally1 @LG @CarryOnPorkChop @ccau_82 @Azalea @Oaktree @Magpie22 

[Heyyou]

My biggest challenge was always my kids changing schools and all the emotions that came with that. 
Not being able to lock in a DHA house meant not being able to enrol them at school as most schools are zoned. Also just trying to help them to adjust to the change as you watch them struggle. It was heartbreaking and I hated that part the most out of all of it. 

[RiverSeal]

Hey @Heyyou, thanks for sharing your experiences with the community!

My father was in the Navy before I was born and then worked as a civilian for the ADF and we moved to the outback so he could work on a Air Force base. It was a bit of an adustment when we moved and life was totally different from NSW where he worked at a Navy bases. I do remember there being a lot of challenges but I made good friends which helped with settling in.

I was in my last year of primary school so there is a lot going on for young people at that age anyway which showed up for me in various ways but I got through ok. It did shape my life and I am grateful for having the opportunity to have those years with the experiences I got as I can see how I am diverse now I live in the city.

Form my experience I would have appreciated more of an opportunity to talk about my feelings with my parents and given some support from a psychologist or counsellor. I have learnt that early intervention can be critical in shaping outcomes when people are facing challenges particularly when growing up in different places and facing new experiences in daily life. I remember having thoughs that I couldn't speak to my parents about my challenges because it was such a big move and I felt stuck. I now wish I did speak to them as I may have had a chance at resolving my issues and not letting them consume me as a young adult.

Anyways I hope my reflections on my own experiences with my parents helps and provides some insight.

Take care

RiverSeal