Moving schools - how hard is it on the children?

[carol40]

My husband has just accepted a new job. And while it is a promotion we will have to move in the next year to a new area. We have only been in our current location for two years and my daughter started school here. She will be going into P3 and my son starting P1. They are now completely settled in and I don't know how they will cope with yet another move. Is it better to leave now and hope that they are young enough to adjust or should I convince my husband to travel (3hrs round trip with no traffic) for the next few years (which he does'nt want to do).

They will cope, they will understand that it is better for the family to live near dad's workplace. I'm from a forces family and moved schools three times in three years, my sister moved two times in her first year of school! We settled in quickly, could lean on each other a bit and school staff did their best to help us.

I'm now a teacher and have new joiners every year, I buddy them up with 2-3 sensible kids and keep an eye on them for the first month or so. I also talk regularly to parents in case the child is saying things at home about being unhappy but isn't comfortable reporting this at school.

It can be really hard on them. Some don't cope well. We moved a lot as a child and I would be really loathe to move children without very good reason.

Really?!!! You're honestly considering making your DH commute for 3 hours a day rather than change your kids' schools?!

We're in simillar circumstances re the job, but my eldest is 15. It didn't even cross my mind that DH should commute that far. We're moving and that's the end of it. I understand that it's tough for them, but ultimately, a lot less tough than spending 15 hours a week just getting to and from work.

My dh commutes 3 hours a day for this very reason.
We considered moving closer to his work but as I work too it would have meant that there would be a job hunt for me and it would have been difficult to find something similar and flexible.
When we added this in to the hassle of finding new schools and the actual move itself we decided it was better to stay put and h do the odd night in a hotel if needs be. It works out fine for us.

It will be harder on some than others but that's not a reason to not move. They are young and they will settle.
We have moved a couple of times. I have one über social kid, she pretty much takes it in her stride. Then I have my DS who hates change, and so lots of attention, lots of support and in particular this time it has taken a while and been rough but we're good now (he's 6 and we moved 10 months ago) Lots of effort to sort out playdates, work out clubs to join, keep the teachers involved and aware and sometimes just being there for cuddles.
Seriously with a 3 hour commute you are forcing your DH to be a weekend dad - surely he'll never see the kids in the week, and you'll be pretty much in your own. How is that better?

my DS at end of reception he was 51/2 - he wasn't happy about it but settled just fine - I would say better to move them now than later