Congrats on this site! So here's our back to school dilemma. My "typical" 11 y/o daughter is having a great deal of anxiety about going into the 6th grade, and having to make all "new" friends. She's been in the same class with more or less the same kids from K though 5 (she's in a specialized program and moves up with the same class every year), and now that she's 'graduated' from the program, she's panicked about losing the comfort of the same familiar faces and being in classes with peers she knows mostly in-passing. She's had good experience making new friends at camp every year, in sports and various extra-curriculars etc. but she's not taking comfort from that history. Ideas?
Hi Marina, Thanks for your kind words. Tell your daughter that new beginnings are often difficult for kids and grown ups alike. She can still find comfort in keeping her present friends, but will also find comfort in making new ones! Remind her how it felt when she first started camp and her numerous extra-curriculars. Ask her how she navigated her way to her "normal" comfort zone. Time had passed and she experienced success in friend making. This new 6th grade experience will be much the same...first apprehension, then slowly normalcy will begin to take over. Is there a way for her to connect to some of her new peers before school starts? Let me know how it goes! Good Luck to you both! Peace, Mindy
Mindy! So glad to be able to pick your brains 24-7! (haha) Thank you for sharing your expertise with us!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on this site! So here's our back to school dilemma. My "typical" 11 y/o daughter is having a great deal of anxiety about going into the 6th grade, and having to make all "new" friends. She's been in the same class with more or less the same kids from K though 5 (she's in a specialized program and moves up with the same class every year), and now that she's 'graduated' from the program, she's panicked about losing the comfort of the same familiar faces and being in classes with peers she knows mostly in-passing. She's had good experience making new friends at camp every year, in sports and various extra-curriculars etc. but she's not taking comfort from that history. Ideas?
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting mom! Congrads!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This is such a great idea. Can't wait to see how it grows!
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ReplyDeleteHi Marina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. Tell your daughter that new beginnings are often difficult for kids and grown ups alike. She can still find comfort in keeping her present friends, but will also find comfort in making new ones! Remind her how it felt when she first started camp and her numerous extra-curriculars. Ask her how she navigated her way to her "normal" comfort zone. Time had passed and she experienced success in friend making. This new 6th grade experience will be much the same...first apprehension, then slowly normalcy will begin to take over.
Is there a way for her to connect to some of her new peers before school starts?
Let me know how it goes!
Good Luck to you both!
Peace,
Mindy
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWelcome!
ReplyDelete