MANAGING TRANSITIONS Dr. Anna Muscetta

Managing Transition Third culture kids Transition Culture shock Reverse culture shock Tools

Third Culture kids and transition Ruth Van Reken: “A third culture kid is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside their parents’ culture. The third culture kid builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture are assimilated into the third culture kid’s life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of the same background, other TCKs”

Managing transitions Transition noun tran·​si·​tion | \ tran(t)-ˈsi-shən , tran-ˈzi-, chiefly British tran(t)-ˈsi-zhən\ Definition of transition  (Entry 1 of 2) 1a : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change b : a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another 2a : a musical modulation b : a musical passage leading from one section of a piece to another 3 : an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule) usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy

Managing transitions Whether you are the leaving family or you are the ones waving goodbyes, transitions are tough. Moving from one country to another, moving from one school year to the next or to a new Key stage can cause anxiety

Managing transition Three levels: individuals, couple and family Three stages: before, during and after Two dimensions: logistic and emotional

Managing transitions

Managing transitions

Managing transition No matter which side are you in, YOU might need support

Managing transitions: emotions You are neither one thing or the other You are impatient to reach the next step You are excited about new opportunities You are scared about the future You are worried to miss what you are familiar with You are confused about new emotions and new experiences You are sad to leave friends/places

Managing transitions From childhood to puberty From primary school to secondary school From school to university From individual to couple to family

Diaspora Blues So, Here you are Too foreign for home Too foreign for here Never enough for both

Managing transition Cultural shock Reverse cultural shock

Culture shock: an emotional rollercoaster

Reverse culture shock: different but not that much Going abroad can be hard, but reverse culture shock happens nearly to all expats returning back home.

How can we support our children? Managing Transitions How can we support our children?

Tools and tips Saying goodbye is a process We need to talk about it (well in advance, not too much) Last time for everything (whenever is possible) World map ( where are all my friends ) Books Farwell books Memories boxes Pics Others……… ( be creative)

The Circle of Security

The Circle of Security

The Circle of Security https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/resources Video: https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/animations

The Circle of Security At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security® Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.

The Circle of Security Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read emotional needs Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions Enhance the development of your child's self esteem Honor the innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure

References Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, Revised Edition , 2009 D.C.Pollock and R.E.Van Reken http://www.tckworld.com/ Why won’t my teenager talk to me? , 2014 J. Coleman https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/resources The Little Prince, 1943 Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I wish you all a smooth transition…..

Thanks annamuscetta07@gmail.com