Coping with the changes

Did you have to change school because your parents separated?
Will you have to change school because of your parents separation?

Changes can feel good - or they can be scary at first. Maybe the idea of changing your school makes you frightened or anxious? These feelings are normal - you are not alone.

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 and get to know new places.

There are different things you can do to make the start easier for you. You can try these or find your own way.

Set up ways to stay in touch with your old friends

By email
By phone
By writing letters
Ask them to stay with you on a weekend or in the holidays

Make new friends

Talk to your classmates and get to know 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 and ask them home

Talk to your teacher or school counsellor

Some things are different at each school - so it's just normal when you don't understand things at first
Let your teacher know when you don't understand what's going on or feel lonely
It's not dumb to ask questions - a lot of kids are too shy to ask questions and will be glad if you do
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 may listen to how you feel and have some good ideas that will help you
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 you can bring new friends home or meet them somewhere, like at the movies
Let your parents know that it's important to you to catch up with your old friends
Let your parents know that it takes time to get used to everything in your new school and that you need their help

It's not your fault Strange words, what they mean Loyalty conflicts No contact with one parent Positive things that might change Other things that might change Keeping in touch with both parents Loss and grief Different emotions Dealing with stress Talking about your feelings United Nations Convention Special rights DV - what does it mean? Your parents hurting the other You being hurt Things to help you feel safe Friends being hurt Restraining Orders How to tell someone Bullying Coping with the changes Things to help get organized Questions More questions! Alcohol and you Body Changes Money Moving out Family and friends Parents using drugs	Coping with the changes Did you have to change school because your parents separated? Will you have to change school because of your parents separation? Changes can feel good - or they can be scary at first. Maybe the idea of changing your school makes you frightened or anxious? These feelings are normal - you are not alone. 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 and get to know new places. There are different things you can do to make the start easier for you. You can try these or find your own way. Set up ways to stay in touch with your old friends By email By phone By writing letters Ask them to stay with you on a weekend or in the holidays Make new friends Talk to your classmates and get to know 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 and ask them home Talk to your teacher or school counsellor Some things are different at each school - so it's just normal when you don't understand things at first Let your teacher know when you don't understand what's going on or feel lonely It's not dumb to ask questions - a lot of kids are too shy to ask questions and will be glad if you do 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 may listen to how you feel and have some good ideas that will help you 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 you can bring new friends home or meet them somewhere, like at the movies Let your parents know that it's important to you to catch up with your old friends Let your parents know that it takes time to get used to everything in your new school and that you need their help
	Copyright © 2006-2007 Children and Families in Transition Project. Disclaimer \| Privacy .