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Moving to a New Home and School |
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Statistics tell us that about 50% of us move every five years. If that move entails a change of school for your child, then chances are you can expect a few bumps along the way.
For adults, moving to a new neighborhood or city can be exciting, spelling a new home, new challenges and even a job promotion. But for kids, moving often means leaving behind the security of their school and friends, and that can be one of the most stressful times in their young lives says Barbara Burrows, of Positive Parenting. "Parents need to recognize the anxieties that children are bound to be experiencing. You should take any opportunity to involve your child in the process of moving to help ease their anxiety. Can they see the new house before moving or a picture of the house? Can you talk about the new house and its surroundings? The main criterion in helping a child adjust to a move is to listen to them very carefully because they will express their fears and anxieties."
One of the most difficult aspects of moving for children is the adjustment to a new school. Burrows suggests that parents "ask the new school to help the kids make a happy adjustment. The academics don't matter at all to start with until the child makes a happy adjustment and feels comfortable in his new surroundings."
While moving is tough on kids of any age, high school counselor Karen Turner says moves can be particularly difficult for teens. "I think moving during adolescents is an extremely stressful experience, especially if you're into your early junior high or early senior high year. Students tend to have established a very strong peer network during that period in their lives. Often this has more influence on them even than their families in some cases, and when they're torn from that there's often resentment."
However, Turner adds that while moving isn't easy, there are things that you and the school can do to help your teen cope with the change. "When they first arrive at a new school, I think encouraging the young person to make a connection with one or two people rather than to win over a whole group is best. You can talk to school counselors and ask for peer helpers to smooth the way. It's important that parents stay in touch with the school and find our what resources are available."
Finally, no matter what age, if your child is having difficulty with this major transition, seek professional help, through the school or your child's doctor. Moving can be tough on everyone, and kids may need a little extra help to smooth the transition.
Adapted from The Parent Report Radio Show. Any advice or information contained herein should never be a substitute for professional and/or medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. For more information please review Terms of Service.
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Post your views about this article.
| Subject |
Name |
Added |
| Re: Moved during high school |
Alisha |
07:42 Jul 19 |
| My moving experience FL---->OH |
Heather |
02:11 Jun 17 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
adam |
04:02 Mar 31 |
| Affects of Moving from GA to CA |
Leigh |
01:56 Mar 07 |
| contemplating moving |
Nora |
10:34 Feb 02 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
HELP |
10:33 Jan 14 |
| Re: Moving during School term , l.. |
Kaitlynn |
10:19 Dec 30 |
| Re: Moving and changing schools |
Kaitlynn |
10:17 Dec 30 |
| Moved during high school |
Kaitlynn |
10:14 Dec 30 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
GL |
11:18 Nov 13 |
| Re: Moving from New York to Flori.. |
dd |
12:21 Nov 12 |
| Help me help my 10 yr old daughter |
Connie |
12:21 Sep 26 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
bree |
10:32 Sep 04 |
| Re: To Sara |
Amanda |
01:55 Jul 13 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
name withheld |
03:15 Dec 23 |
| Re: Moved son before senior year .. |
name withheld |
01:43 Aug 03 |
| i moved |
katie |
12:29 Jan 01 |
| Divorce, new home, new school, ne.. |
Darcy |
07:59 Nov 11 |
| 5th grader moved to new school |
Karen |
08:23 Oct 24 |
| Im moving and frightened |
Giana |
12:56 Oct 18 |
| My parents want to move |
Sarah |
09:03 May 15 |
| Re: Moving and changing schools |
Kristin |
10:43 Jan 28 |
| moving to iowa |
bill |
04:30 Nov 08 |
| Moving and changing schools |
Kim Waller |
04:20 Nov 07 |
| Moved son before senior year in h.. |
blank |
10:39 Oct 05 |
| advice |
Steph |
01:42 Oct 04 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
Dee |
11:19 Sep 16 |
| Re: no subject |
ashley |
07:34 Jun 30 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
an answer |
07:31 Jun 30 |
| Re: Moving from New York to Flori.. |
vash |
08:47 Apr 13 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
Vash |
08:41 Apr 13 |
| Moving from New York to Florida! |
Aisha |
01:31 Mar 05 |
| Reply to Angela |
Courtney |
07:28 Mar 03 |
| Re: no subject |
angela |
11:19 Jan 02 |
| Re: no subject |
angela |
11:18 Jan 02 |
| Re: New home, new school, new pr.. |
Charlotte |
01:09 Nov 17 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
Mrs. Julie Davis |
01:26 Nov 04 |
| Sara's observations |
Mrs. Julie Davis |
01:20 Nov 04 |
| Sara's observations |
Mrs. Julie Davis |
01:20 Nov 04 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
leena |
11:16 Sep 10 |
| Moving during School term , looki.. |
Rafael |
06:24 Dec 21 |
| Re: New Home, New School, New Pro.. |
Rachel |
02:46 Dec 02 |
| no subject |
sara |
01:12 Sep 12 |
| New Home, New School, New Problems |
George McGowan |
02:29 Sep 09 |
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