Younger Children Changing Schools

at this age it isn't that big of a deal to switch schools, the good thing is at this age all you would have to do is volunteer in their classes a few times & you can help to get them interacting with the other children, I use to go out to recess with my daugther when I would volunteer & it is suprising how many kids want to hang out with a grown up at this age, so I would get them all playing hide & seek or something & talk to the kids & get to know them. They all loved it when "Kaitlyn's mom" was at school and she would be so proud that her mommy was there. I think that if you could schedule a few days to get off work early or go in late so you can be at the school & help her to ineract with new kids within a few weeks no one would even remember that they are "new". Also if you schedule some after school playdates they will be have "best friends" before you know it. To help with the transition you may also want to keep them in touch with their old friends for awhile.

Luckily, your boys are at the right age for drastic change, however, ANY change at ANY age is going to have some impact on them, and yes, the amount of change on them at once is going to be terrifying to them. To make the transaction easier, I suggest you stay a part of the change as much as humanly possible. In other words, beby their sides as much as you can. Go to the schools with them and spend a few minutes in the classroom with them and participate in activities. Theywill adapt to it and get used to the change faster this way. I would also suggest your ex and you (if he is in the picture??) try to refrain from arguing where the children can overhear (not assuming you do, just adding it in there as this is harder then anything else) and see if your ex is willing to trnsfer some of the burden of change along side with you....these are after all his children too...correct?? Also, children personalise everything, so expressing the point of this not being thier fault in ANY way would also help out. Dont forget to get some time to yourself in a few weeks as well....

Good luck and hopefully you AND your children will come out well with this.....

My opinion would be, keep them in the same school for the reaminder of the year and then start the new school next year. Give them time to deal with everything else that's going on and change as little as possible for them. They may need their friends they have to help them feel settled in some way. Whan things get back to normal and they have the summer out of school so it won't be such a dramatic change for them. I have a son with ADD and we moved in the middle of his 1st grade year into our house. I commuted him everyday for the reaminder of the year and then this year he started his new school...it was a great transition for him.

When I was a kid I went to a new school almost every year until I got to High School and it was a hard thing to do. I hated it, even before my parent divorced when I was in the 5th grade. I wish you luck and lots of love...you sound like a grerat Mother!

Younger children seem to adapt better than older children from what I have studied in school, and my own experience with my girls. I would try to make sure the first day that they went to the new school that you could accompany them or even have lunch to see how they are adjusting. Talk and meet with the teacher and let her know their personalities. Then also if its not a inconvenince then just leave them where they are.

L.,
I am an ex-Teacher and as I read all the repsonses below - I completely agree with all of them, but it depends on your child. Look at what is positive in the school enviroment that they are in and what is offered if they change schools - sometimes that can be the best. They are right at the age that the change is all going to be in response to your reaction. What ever choice you make keep it positive and upbeat and they will follow along.
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Hi! I've been through exactly what youre going through & at the time it was with 3 children~if it was just changing schools I think its okay, I've had to do it, children are very resilient, but with having to change a sitter as well with everything else on top of it I personally would keep them in the school they're in for now, wait until they get adjusted with the new sitter,see how they respond to that change before considering changing schools as well. Too much change may be overwhelming for them. Good luck with your decision, I wish you all well.

I would try and keep them there at least until the end of the school year. My baby is only 6 months, so I don't have experience in the mommy area, but my parents moved us every 2-3 years growing up... sometimes more and it was always a lot easier when they waited until after the school year. Kids are so resilient, especially that young. If you wait until all the kids are getting new teachers and having the same changes that way it'll be easier to adjust.

As for the new babysitter and moving back in with dad... make sure you keep their schedule and make sure you ask from them exactly what you did before. Don't let guilt stop you from disciplining the way you were before and don't let it stop you from having the same rules. The more you can keep the SAME, the better!

Good luck!

If you can help it keep the boys in the same school. Although it is true that children cope with change well, too much change can be very harmful. The need to have at least one area in their life where they feel grounded. Do not underestimate the importance of their friends and school as a support system.