Daughter Having Anxiety over Changing Schools

Hey C.,

I was a Navy brat so we had to change schools alot! I would just try to focus on accentuating the positives. If there is someone she might not like at her old school, she wont have to deal with them at the new school. Generally, though, honesty is the best way to handle the situation. You need to verbally acknowledge that this will be a hard adjustment, but then stress that change is good. (I am sure you have some good personal examples!) Let her express her concerns and then let her handle it... She'll do more amazing than you may expect!

Best of luck! A.

1 mom found this helpful

i think your own advice on taking her to meet her new teachers and some new classmates will help her out. As an army wife and mom my son has changed schools 3 times just in the past year, and what we did to help him adjust is to let him meet the kids in class before starting so he knew someone in that class, and he is also in the 5th grade tough age for them.

1 mom found this helpful

Bringing your daughter to meet her teacher is an excellent idea. You could also ask the teacher if other students from your daughter's former school go to the new one. Chances are, there will be some kids she already knows.

Also, over this summer maybe you could get her involved in activities that would introduce her to kids from her new school. Maybe there's a youth group, girl scouts or gymnastics class that has other girls from her new class in it. That would make the first day of school less frightening. Good luck!

C.,
We switched our son to a new school over Christmas break and he too was a bit anxious. I took him to his new school once in November and once in December where he spent the day getting to know who his new classmates and teachers would be. That seemed to really help him with the transition, seeing the place and the people before making the switch permanent.
Perhaps over the summer she could get together with a couple of the girls that will be in her class in the coming year.
One other thought, if you daughter as any special interests or if the school offers any over-the-summer activities or camps that she may be able to participate in and meet some of the students.
L.

I agree with Stephanie J. I would try to find some summer activities around the new school that your Daughter could get involved in and meet people. Also, going to church close to the school. Then she can meet some of the kids, but she also has the comfort of having you their with her. As a school teacher myself, I can assure you that it won't take her long at her new school before she will fit right in.