How to Stop from Switching Countries or Moving Cities

Okay, so you talk to your parents or you're eating dinner calmly when suddenly, a bomb drops: You're going to another local school or moving city/country! Argh! What to do?

Find out the reasons for the move. Write them down.

Talk to your friends. They probably don't want you to go and they might help for arguments.

Do a sort of project and present to your parents the reasons why you shouldn't move.

Present your argument calmly. If you're being unreasonable, your parents are never going to listen to you.

Prove your case, if you can. If the move has something to do with the schools or something of the sort, prove to them that it's a safe, fun environment to learn in. They'll see for themselves.

Bargain with them. If the move is voluntary, swear that you'll do all your chores and homework and schoolwork from then on if they don't move. Promises of their child's good behavior might convince them.

Act mature about it. If you're at their ankles, whining and pleading, they won't listen. Always be calm and rational.

Show how you feel about the situation. This doesn't mean throwing a fit because it's "not fairrrrrr!" Have a talk with your parents and tell them how you feel. If that doesn't work, subtly be a little upset in day-to-day life. For example, writing in your journal that you really don't want to move and leaving it out, or just acting a little sad around the house. If your parents can pick up on it, they will feel bad.

Be open-minded about the situation. It's really not the end of the world. If you automatically think it's going to be terrible, you'll never grow to like your new house.

Make a deal if you absolutely can't get out of moving. For example, ask your parents if you can visit your friends over Christmas break if you get all straight A's.

Keep in touch with your old friends. Write to them, telling them about your new life and ask them to write about themselves as well. You'll both feel like you never left.

Make new ones as well. You won't be disloyal if you do. It's not going to help anything if you're stuck in the past. Not to mention, you'll grow so attached to your old friends that no one at your new school is going to want to be friends with you.

Tips

• Don't freak out, everyone moves once in a while.
• It might help if you bring a friend to help you persuade your parents during the presentation. If they get mad, at least they probably won't yell at you with your friend around.
• While you shouldn't focus entirely on your old friends, don't forget about them either!
• It will help if you make arrangements for your friends to call/write/email you once or twice a week. If you let them contact you whenever they want, you might end up with either no calls/emails/letters, or too many.
• See if you can plan a goodbye party for yourself. Friends don't always plan these things themselves, so why wait for them to? If you can, it's a fun way to say goodbye.

Warnings

• Be sure to do all this as soon as possible! It will drastically increase your chances of not moving if you do this all while they're still just considering moving, rather than while they've already sold the house.
• If the move is involuntary, don't try to convince them not to. They don't have a choice, and it's not going to work.
• Don't forget to get all your friends' email addresses, phone numbers, etc. before you go!
• Even if you hate your new location, never do anything stupid like running away. It will only get you into more trouble.
• Don't push it when you try to get your parents to keep from moving. They'll get really annoyed, and that definetely does not help.

Things You'll Need

• A friend or group of friends
• An open mind
• A calm attitude
• A little persuasion
• Determination