How do I deal with change of School

[MrsSimmy]

We are moving house in the next few weeks and although DD is fairly confident and outgoing, I am really worried about how she is going to feel. She is currently in reception.

I talk to her all the time about moving home and changing schools. Sometimes she gets upset about missing friends etc but then other times she gets excited about living by the sea! I know children can be fickle so am trying not to feel too guilty and upset about it

One of my concerns is what do I do on her last day? I thought about getting her to take cakes/sweets in for her friends
(this normally happens on birthdays! Do I make a bit deal about it being her last day and saying goodbye to her friends? I think the guilt is taking over! She will already be missing out on a party as move will be happening 3 weeks before birthday.

Any help would be so much appreciated

Will be watching this thread with interest as we're doing similar ourselves later this year.

For me, I'm avoiding mentioning it. DS is only 6 and a few months can seem like a lifetime. So although he's aware that it will probably happen, I'm trying not to mention it unnecessarily and only then in very positive terms. If he get's a week's notice that it's his last week, that's enough for his tender years and I don't want him to spend from now to mid July thinking he's different to the rest of the kids because he won't be there next year. I changed schools twice before I was eight so I'm basing it a bit on how I remember things.

Personally I wouldn't make a big fuss about it being his last day either, unless at the last minute he decides he wants to. Will your teacher do anything? At my son's school they sing songs in class and have a bit of a "leaving do" for the child who's going. That's it and probably quite enough - I just feel too big a fuss could get things out of perspective for him.

Agree play it down, big up the new school(cna you visist , meet a coupel fo kids beforehand) and take cakes etc for a little send off. Chances are the teacher will organise some sort of card or momento from the rest of the class. She can always write to them (postcards are useful) when she gets settled.

Make sure the new school has some kind of buddy system - so she's allocated a friend in the new class on her first day to "look after her". The teacher should be able to pick someone appropriate. Worked for me!

Thanks for your response.....the buddy thing sounds great and i'm sure we will visit the school before she starts so will ask about this.

Unfortunately, will cannot apply for a place at a school until we have exchanged contracts. Its horrible....we have found a perfect school which we know she will fit into like a glove but is out of our hands. The only school we are in catchment area for is a church school. We don't go to church and do not want to in order for her to get into the school as feel this is hypocritical. We are actually 5th down on their list (out of 7) for actually getting in anyway (hmm)

I will definately big the 'new school' up though (whichever one it will be!). Moving house is so much more complicated when you have children. I haven't even started sorting nursery for DS!

Thanks again