Changing schools because your parents are separating

Did or will you have to change school because of you parents separating?

Did you have to change school because your parents have separated?
Will you have to change school because your parents are separating?

Changes are normal and are happening all the time. The weather changes almost every day. Some changes can feel good but most changes can be a bit scary at first. Maybe the idea of changing your school makes you frightened or anxious? These feelings are normal - you are not alone.

Maybe it will help you to see that other children feel the same:

I was very scared on my first day at the new school because I didn't know anyone.

I was so nervous. I didn't know how to get there and I missed my friends at the old school.

I couldn't sleep the night before. I thought there might be a subject I don't know about and everybody else will.

I thought I would be scared but I wasn't. I was looking forward to a new adventure.

My tummy felt so weird. I couldn't eat. But on my way home from my first day at the new school I was pretty happy with how I handled this big change.

It took some time to get used to it. But now I have lots of new friends and my teachers are nice too.

It can be upsetting to think about having to leave your friends to go to a new place and meet new people. However it can also be very exciting - you may make new friends that you really like and discover new things.

There are many reasons why children change schools

Parents separate and the child has to move somewhere else with one of their parents
The whole family moves to another town or another country
The child doesn't like the first school and has to change
Maybe the child is starting high school

Changing school is a stressful time for every child.

Things you can do to make things easier for you:

Make new friends.

Just say 'hello' and most of them will say 'hello' back. You will see the hardest part is out of the way, now you can just talk.
Talk to your classmates and get to know them.
Try to get along with everyone by smiling, asking questions and listening to them.
Stand up for yourself when people give you a hard time.
Don't think you have to be friends with everyone, maybe start just with one.

Talk to your teacher or school counsellor.

Let your teacher know when you don't understand what's going on or feel lonely.
Some things are different at each school. So it's just normal when you don't understand things at first.
It's not dumb to ask questions.
A lot of kids are too shy to ask questions and will be glad if you do as they will hear the answers too.
Teachers were young once too. They won't think anything bad of you when you say you have problems with things like homework, the other kids at school.
Make an appointment to talk with your school counsellor - they are trained to listen and to understand and will give you good ideas about what to do.

Talk to your parents or grandparents.

Your parents and grandparents love you and will be happy to help you to feel better as soon as possible.
If you don't want to talk to your teacher ask your parents or older brother and sister to do it for you.
Ask your parents if it's okay to bring your new friends home to play.
When you feel lonely ask your parents or grandparents for a big hug and tell them how you feel. You will feel much better.
Ask your parents if you can see your old friends at special times like school holidays or birthdays or to help you to write to them, send them an email, or ring them up.
Ask your parents to give you time to get used to everything in your new school.