[808state]

Reaching out for some advice or moral support from any parents who've had to deal with something similar - 3 schools in 3 years.

DD will be starting year 2 in yet another school this year, on top of everything she's had to adapt to (messy separation, change of address as many times ect).

Everyone keeps saying it's nothing to worry about, because at her age she'll quickly forget the previous school and make new friends in the new one ect... but I think she's really at a borderline age of knowing exactly what's going on, and therefore at risk of anxiety. She hasn't fotgotten her friends from pre-primary, let alone year 1.

She doesn't even have any siblings to bounce off.

Anyone been in a similar situation? How well did your child adapt? Are there any tips on how I can make the transiton easier for her? My thoughts were to join the P&C; get involved in the school as much as possible; spend as much time as I can at the school volunteering ect.

[Elizabethandfrie...]

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. It is likely your DD has developed some skills and resilience through the changes she has already experienced that will help her cope with this one.

And your thoughts on getting very involved in the school sound spot on.

[808state]

Thanks Elizabethandfriend, so many people say the same though, and I find it hard to relax when their children are usually the ones who've never had this upheaval.

I do admit to being a bit of a worry-wort sometimes though.

[Akatara]

She will probably get lots of positive attention for being new. I hope it works out well for you.

[mumofsky]

Yep DD didnt like her school in grade 3 so i switched her to a private for grades 4 and 5 then her new school closed down and now shes starting at a new school for grade 6. Next year will obviously be another one!

I'll be honest, Im terrified for her. She doesnt want to go to this new school and she's shy and emotional. But secretly I think she will learn a lot from this experience even if it is hard - she will learn how to enter new and difficult social situations, make new friends, adapt to new teachers and styles. If we can just stick it out and get through the hard days Im confident it will be character building.

To help her adjust, Ive agreed to get her an after school babysitter instead of after school care so that she can at least come home at 3:30.

Im sure your DD will benefit too!

[At-Your-Cervix]

Not the same but my Ds went to Kindy and Preprimary at one school, yr one at another and yr two at the current school. lots of outside upheaval too. He was fine but is a naturally resistant child.

DD who is younger did kindy and pre primary and one school and yr one at current school. She is very different to DS and struggled much more, became very depressed.

Over all the final arrangement is best for everyone, I spoke to my GP and the school and we all put in a plan for DD to help her through everything going on and how she perceived things. She is doing well now and I am so glad I asked for help.

Get involved with the school, make new friends, encourage her friendships even if you are not a chatty person (chat to other parents)....It may take some time to see that you have done the right thing but it will all fit into place in time.

This post has been edited by At-Your-Cervix: 15/01/2013, 08:44 PM

[Escapin]

if you're worried, could you afford to have your daughter see a child psychologist? Someone I know did this after their kid had been dragged from pillar to post getting out of a terrible marriage, and there WERE issues to be sorted out. 'Kids are resiliant blah blah blah' has a lot to answer for I think.

[librablonde]

My parents moved every 12 months until I was in Yr 7. I attended a new school each year from the time I started Kinder. I don't think it damaged me and it did make me a highly adaptable person. OP, I think your DD will be ok. If you think she will develop anxiety issues then perhaps seeking out something like Girl Guides may be good to help her develop confidence. Or perhaps seek out a counsellor if you think it's a serious issue for her. Also, can she Skype with her old friends? I assume she's not ready to start being a pen-pal.... due to me moving around so much as a kid I became a great pen-pal to many of my friends, some of them I keep in contact with still now.

[808state]

Thanks everyone. Escapin yes, I have considered a child psych and will be discussing this with the GP soon. She's a chronic bed wetter too, so - although appearing to be well adjusted and sociable on the outside - who knows what's going on in her brain, subconsciously. I just don't know, but my instincts are in over drive at the moment...I'm even having odd dreams about the situation.

mumofsky - that's such a good idea about the babysitter after school. Ideally - what I'd absolutely love - is the luxury of working part time so I can pick her up from school and allow her the freedom of having a new friend over for a play date. Oh if only I'm ure that would be a huge help.

The number one focus and new years resolution is to devote as much of my time as possible helping DD adjust to this new change. Going to be taking time off work every where possible, in order to make this happen.

[Fire_fly]

I moved around a lot as a child. 7 schools in 12 years with 5 of those changes being in the first 4years of my schooling. I wouldn't worry to much. I developed great adaption skills and the ability to make new friends easily. I am not an outgoing person by nature but I have developed these skills.

I would just watch your daughter and let her know you are there for her if she has concerns or worries about anything to do with her new school. I am sure she will adapt quite quickly.

I like the idea of being involved in the school. But I would worry to much. Kids are a lot more resilient that we often give them credit for.

This post has been edited by Fire_fly: 15/01/2013, 09:03 PM