Some tell me I’m doing the right thing!!

[prawncocktail78]

DD has got her secondary induction day this week and we’ve had so many tears about missing friends.

Shes at a large 4 form entry primary, most kids go to the same secondary but we’ve chosen a different school. We all liked it better when we looked around, it’s much smaller and has an excellent SEND rep (DD is dyslexic).

When we made the choice DD was struggling with friendship issues and was ready for a break from primary crowd. However since then school mixed the classes and she’s formed a really tight friendship with three others. They are all moving on together and DDs not.

I know it’s the right decision but definitely having a wobble seeing her so upset about not moving on with her friends. Someone tell me it will be ok??

It will be OK.
Tell her she can have 'out of school friends' and 'in school friends'.
(It may not work out like that but you can hope).

Anyway, friendships shift massively in y7 as they meet a wider variety of kids, and some choose to reinvent themselves.

They may start in September with the friends from primary school, but with different form groups, different sets, it’s always the case that they make new friends. She won’t be the only one not knowing a group of people.

Think back to the reasons you opted for that school and encourage her to meet new people.

We’ve got a similar situation in that DD is the only child in her primary school not going to the same secondary (she’s going to an independent school). She’s having a lot of wobbles as the end of term gets closer. I’m just reminding myself of all the reasons we made the decision we did. And deep down she knows she’s going to be happier at her new school.

Both my children have maintained string friendships into their 20s with friends from primary school despite going to different secondary schools. In the other hand many strong friendships drift apart in years 7/8 despite going to the same school - so I’d say go the the best school for your DD.