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Anonymous September 9, 2008

How do i help my 8th grader adjust to a new school?

Anonymous
My daughter is an 8th grader at a new school and is having a hard time adjusting. We have moved 2 times in the past 3 yrs and she has had to start a new school each time. She is resentful at me for moving and feels that if she makes new friends she will lose then again. She says that she hates school, but does well in class.
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Parent Answers to "How do i help my 8th grader adjust to a new school?"

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brenda13
brenda13 September 28, 2008
as for me in moving as well
and im scared of making new friends!
what school does she go to?
summerblue
summerblue September 12, 2008
Does your daughter not have friends outside of school?
My daughter is a teen and a competitive cheerleader and is very involved in her youth group at church.....yes she has friends at school but her REAL friends are outside of school.
We made a big move 3 years ago.....completely different state from the area the kids were born and raised in, so it took some adjusting.
It will loosen up, perhaps you can have her invite one friend over - I am sure she has made at least one from by now, and she can get to know them better outside of school.
Is she involved in sports? Church (if you attend) Play an instrument - anything extracricullar? If not, maybe you should work with her to find something that interests her.....anyting from sports, instrument, art, voice lessons, something.......she can find a whole new stream of friends that way too.
OH and something you can do TOGETHER or as a family and is also a great way to meet new people is support a Cause. At our house we do volunteer work for The Ronald McDonald house and Cystic Fibrosis. My daugther worked as a youth organizer and did a walk-a-thon and such and met tons of new kids.
Just my .02 :)
Anonymous
Anonymous September 9, 2008
hi, i was just wondering what the reason for the moves are. Is it your job?

For teens, moving is always incredibly hard; especially leaving your friends. Tell her that moving is the best for you family and encourage her to join clubs. Also, it is better for her to be happy during the time that you are there. It's not like you will move back if she refuses to make friends. It is better to make the best of what you have. Also look on the brightside; you'll have friends all over the country!

Try to stop moving once she is in high school and only if it is necessary

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