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Posts: 4,094
12/7/09 4:20 P

I moved at least every 3 years growing up, and I have to agree that moving is MUCH easier when you're a younger kid than when you're an older kid. At 7, kids are pretty open to accepting and becoming friends with "the new kid". I think the biggest thing is to make sure you do what you can to encourage him to BOTH make new friends AND keep close to his old friends. In time, as he gets closer and closer to the new kids, he'll likely end up spending less and less time with the friends from the old school... but he needs to do that on his time frame, not yours.

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Posts: 335
11/26/09 10:23 A

I moved from the city to the country with a big yard when my Sons were 10 and starting 5th and 7 starting second. We delayed our move so it was in the summer so the kids could start the new year fresh. Both adjusted well, made new friends and are still getting good grades.

I waited until summer because other have told me a move mid year is hard. clicks are already formed and you feel odd and out of place. At the bginning of the year everything is new. This year I even got the boys into little league football. Hope that helps you.

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Posts: 1,180
11/24/09 2:07 P

Growing up, I moved every 2 years, sometimes in the middle of the school year. I found it easier to move the younger I was; as I got older, cliques had already start forming so it was harder for me to fit in. Personally, I loved the changes and being the "new kid" because then you get a chance to be friends with anyone you want and all of the other kids in class get to show you all their favorite things about the classroom/school/lunch line/etc. I'm sure your nephew will be just fine. At that age, boys love to play sports together and play video games so I'm sure he'll find a common interest with the new boys at his school. Like other PPs said, if he is apprehensive about leaving his old friends, remind him that he can always go back to visit and his old friends can always come over. Even go so far as to suggest a weekend a month or two in the future, ask his old friends to plan to do something fun, and then once he starts making new friends, invite them along as well. He'll be creating new friendships by being the common link and he won't be so sad to leave his "old friends."

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Posts: 717
11/20/09 3:14 P

We moved schools on my son when he was 10 and I think it depends also on the child. Even though my son does not adjust to change, he did very well and made lots of new friends. I also have friends from his previous school to visit which made the transition easier knowing he wasn't "losing" all his friends. It has now been 3 years and he tells me that was the best move to switch schools. If you know kids from the new school the child is going to maybe hang out and at least they will have a "buddy" to have around and introduce to new kids.

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Posts: 63
11/20/09 10:49 A

I moved all 3 of my children a year ago..they were 7, 8, and 11..they all adjusted fine. Each one made new friends and a year later you would think they had these friends since kindergarten!!

Its honestly harder for me, the parent, to adjust to the new school, district, pta, etc.

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Posts: 716
11/20/09 10:34 A

When my oldest was 9 we moved to a new district. She changed from private to public school. I thought it would be horrible for her, but she handled it like a trooper and had a great time. She was very outgoing which helped. I tried very hard not to let my nervousness show and treated it as a new adventure. I guess it really depends on the child's personality and how you treat it.

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11/19/09 10:34 P

Hi,

Can anyone share with me the impact of transferring a 7yrs old kid to a new school.

My sister has moved to a new environment and she plans to transfer her kid to the school nearer to her house. We are worried if the kid is able to adapt to the new environment as he will have to leave his friends. Any idea how should we prepare the kid and what should be be looking out for?

Rgds
Worry aunty