We Have Moved?

Talk to your kids every day, about how there day went, have a party shortly after school starts and invite the class, get to know the parents, that way they can have friends outside of class as well.When you pick them up, talk to other parents and encourage friendships, it helped my little girl.

Good morning M.,
I know that it is so stressful to deal with "new school anxiety", but I have a couple of suggestions that may make it easier for you.
1.) When you register your girls for school, see if you can get a class list from the teacher. If it is within your means, have "a getting to know you" party the weekend before school at a local park, where the kids can play and you can form friendships with some of the other parents. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant just maybe sandwiches, cookies, chips and dip with kool-aid or juice to drink.
2.) On the first day of school, bring in a "welcome back" snack to your child's classroom as an ice breaker. Also get to know your girls' teachers and offer your services as a "class Mom" to whatever best fits your work capacity.
Try one of these and maybe the move will be easier on all of you. As a kindergarten teacher once myself, I know how kids tend to stress over such things. I hope this helps. You're in my prayers!-God Bless, C.

If you've simply moved to another school district, then it should still be possible for them to hang with their friends after school and on weekends.
My daughter changed schools in second grade, sixth grade, ninth grade, and eleventh grade, and didn't seem to have trouble meeting kids. Kids that age tend to be pretty accepting and open to newcomers.
If you want to foster activities away from school, why not invite her classmates to an informal party at your place? My dauighter and I have lived in apartments all her life, and you'd be amazed how many kids you can fit into one. That will also give you a chance to get to know some of their parents. You could invite some of her old friends too, and let the two groups get to know each other. My daughter is now a high school senior, and two of her best friends are girls she met at church when they were all in kindergarten. At her last birthday gathering, she had friends from church, friends from several different schools, and friends from theatre. Some of them didn't know the others at the start of the evening, but by the time the party was over, they were all acquainted, and new friendships were being formed between people who had been total strangers a few hours before. Some of my closest friends are the parents of my daughter's schoolmates.

We just moved here too, and before we moved I took my son (6, going to 1st grade) to the doctor for his physical and she suggested we take him to his new school a few times, park the car, get out and just get him used to going there. Also, she said to walk in with him the first couple of days. I think younger kids adjust well for the most part. We had it perfect in Memphis, a great house at the end of a cove, lots of kids, my son went to school where my husband worked, so they went and came home together, and now he will be going to school by himself, not many kids around, etc. but so far he seems just fine. Good luck, I hope this helps!

M.,

Many schools have open houses within a week of the first day of school. This is a time that families can come to check out the school, classroom, teacher and other students before school starts. If your daughters' school doesn't have one, call the office and ask for a tour.

If you have moved to a new area, take some time to have family dates and explore the new town. You can get on the web and find museums, parks, pools, bowling alleys, ice cream parlors, zoos and anything else your girls would like within driving distance.

You can also use meal time or bedtime to talk about the move and how everyone is doing. If your daughters complain, don't get on the defensive and explain why you moved. Just listen and empathize. Chances are, when they know that you understand their feelings they will be more accepting of the new environment.

You can also meet the neighbors with a plate of cookies or just a knock on the door. If you meet some you feel comfortable with, have their kids over to play or meet at the playground. If your complex has a pool, it is a great way to meet kids that will go to your daughters' school.

Best of luck,
S.

It seems like maybe you're the one needing to adjust and not your girls. Children are very resiliant and when you're okay with a new situation, it creates ease in them. If you adjust well to the move, then your girls are more likely to adjust well. Maybe you should go tour their school and ask them to come with you. Maybe you could get involved in some of the extra curricular activities that your girls enjoy in order to learn more about their choices of new friends.