Yr 6 worried about high school

[GreenDancingKitten]

DS is anxious about starting high school, particularly that he might get bullied or someone might start a fight with him. He’s not had any issues at primary school with bullying or fights but I guess it’s normal to worry about these things happening at high school. Does anyone have any good reassurance tips/advice/nuggets please? He’s been expressing a few worries recently about various topics, so I’ve been concerned about anxiety, but I think it could all be centred around high school nerves. Thanks!

Hi, do you know if the school have been talking about bullying at secondary etc, if he hasn't had any issues then he must be bringing it up because someone around him has been talking about the subject, would be interesting to know. I was really honest with my kids when they asked (school had been talking about it) I told them you'll meet bullies throughout life and they are just usually sad individuals with problems in their own lives and if they were bullied or someone was mean we could have a chat about it and think together how to deal with it. I also said that most ppl are nice and kind but if someone is a bully to not take it personally and keep away. In terms of general worries, again just let him know whatever he is feeling is completely normal and just a way for his mind and body to gear him up for this amazing next step in his life. Good luck! Lovely seeing them take the next step and exciting times ahead xx

Has he got an older friend or cousin he could talk to to reassure him?

It’s such a worrying time for them bless his heart!

Im not sure if there similar in your area but my DD started year 7 in September and on the months before there were groups set up where upcoming year 7 kids could talk to kids in year 9/10 etc about the school. So for example our local pot painting studio did a session for year 7s-to-be so they could paint pots whilst having a chat with older kids. It was fantastic as it gave DD insight from an actual peer not an adult who is of course going to tell her everything will be fine. She came back saying she got good tips like “Mr Science doesn’t like it when you talk without raising your hand” and “Mrs Maths likes the kids who show their workings in the margins” etc

Boxing club

No one will start a fight for no reason. Tell him that most likely everything will be fine but you can deal with anything that comes up as it happens.

My dd was so anxious and then she got chicken pox the day before high school started which meant she could not go in for the first week so she was doubly anxious.

we just kept talking to her about her fears and made sure she was prepared. The first day she came home absolutely fine. We expected it would take her a while to settle with being off the first week but she was fine