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Helping 5yo DS cope with relocating?

3 replies

Weta · 20/03/2009 18:28

We're moving to Luxembourg (from France) in mid-June. DS1 has known for a few weeks, although he knew before that we might be moving some day.

At first he was really excited but is now acting kind of depressed (grumpy and tired all the time, a bit aggressive, easily upset) and on questioning says it's the move that's bothering him.

He's always found change difficult ever since he was a baby, and he's the kind of kid who has a few very close friends and finds it quite hard to make new ones. He's worried about the new school, missing friends, being so far away, a new house etc etc.

So what can I do to help him? I've explained we can keep in touch with friends and come back next summer to see them, and I thought we'd have a little going away do with the closest friends and get their addresses and everything. He loves animals so I got little cards of every possible animal attraction in and around Luxembourg, which he guards with his life

I'm particularly dreading the thought of 2.5 months there in the summer holidays before he starts school in September (on my DH's behalf as he'll be the one at home and I'll be working full-time - yet another change, aargh!!). At least my dad is coming for a week in July, and we have a week in the Pyrenees in August with DS1's cousins, and we might see if the in-laws can come up as well...

Sorry this is so long and thanks in advance for any advice!!!

OP posts:
chloeb2002 · 21/03/2009 00:02

we moved to aus when dd was 5 and she had similar grievences.. i think it is a common response. 18 months on she loves it and wouldnt go bck to the uk unless she was forced! we moved at the start of the school holidays here and luckily i went on a frined with young children rampage and soon found some buddies for her... not sure how else to do it!

Shitemum · 21/03/2009 00:18

We are moving back to the UK this year with dd1 5.5yo and dd2 2.5yo.
I will be contacting the parents association of the school DD1 will be attending to see if we can meet up with anyone in the holidays before term starts, that way she will have met some of the kids before her first day.

Weta · 21/03/2009 13:04

CB2002 - how did you go about finding buddies for her, then? There are some holiday programmes he could go to but he's never that keen if he doesn't know any of the other kids.

Shitemum - that's a good idea, I might ask the school about it, or the parents' association...

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