Settling into New Routines

Did you know?

It takes a typical kid anywhere from 2-4 weeks to adapt to new environments and can take as long as 6 months (or more) to settle into new routines and environments.

Who remembers the first few episodes of Pokemon Indigo League? Ash wakes up late and gets the last pickin’s of Pokemon from Professor Oak. And he doesn’t get a Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur like all the other folks. No, his starter Pokemon is Pikachu. A little electric type who gives him so much sass in just a few episodes. Refuses to go into the Pokeball, refuses to listen to Ash or view him as the trainer.

I wonder what happened to Pikachu leading up to this encounter

But over time their relationship develops and Pikachu learns that Ash can be trusted. They learn they can depend on each other.

Now I’ve worked with kids/teens in foster care for a while now, and the 6-month adjustment time frame feels fast. I think we tend to look at a person’s age and assume they can adapt on our timeline. We don’t always take into account their temperament, trauma history, or developmental level.

Would Ash’s and Pikachu’s relationship have developed if Ash had decided he and Pikachu couldn’t work together because of the attitude and sass in those first few episodes? No. Ash held onto hope and continued the hard work of building a relationship with Pikachu.

It takes a while to build trust, build relationships, and build enough comfortability to relax and settle into a new situation.