Moving mid-year in 8th grade

[Anonymous]

I know it sucks however I don't have an option. We will be moving January 1st to a new school district 1.5 hours away from where we live now. It is a fantastic school district with one of the best high schools in our state. DD's 8th grade curriculum is mostly the same and she is a terrific student. She is on the quiet side and doesn't play sports.

Yes, she is upset about it but understands that this is a great opportunity for both of us (I am a single parent).

What can I do to make this easier for her? I already told her she can design her new bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you think you should do anything. People move all of the time and if it has to happen in the middle of the school year, so be it. Listen to her concerns. What are they? If she will miss her friends, make an effort to visit them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

Movng mid-year means people will know she is the new girl and there will be people who reach out to her. Moving so she starts 9th grade with everyone else,means that she will not be noticed as much and may fall through the cracks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

It might be nice to celebrate Christmas in your new home rather than mourn your last Christmas in your old home. Just a thought. And it would give DD more time to get familiar with the new town.

[Anonymous]

You should make an extra effort to help her keep in touch with her friends by being willing to drive sometimes when you don't want to, and be a good listening ear as she adjusts to the new place.

The poster who said "why do anything, people move all the time" is rather callous. You can't change the reality, a son you and your daughter know, but it is truly great that you want to do what you can to make a tough thing easier.

From my experience oving mid year, I can tell you to expect that next summer is a lonely one. It can take more than a semester to make friends, and even the kids who like her might not remember to include her over the summer. I'd try to sign her up for some hobby based camps so she has a place to go at least sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

It might be nice to celebrate Christmas in your new home rather than mourn your last Christmas in your old home. Just a thought. And it would give DD more time to get familiar with the new town.

I think the opposite, if she is a social kid let her have those last ten days with friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

Movng mid-year means people will know she is the new girl and there will be people who reach out to her. Moving so she starts 9th grade with everyone else,means that she will not be noticed as much and may fall through the cracks.

This. I agree 100%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

Movng mid-year means people will know she is the new girl and there will be people who reach out to her. Moving so she starts 9th grade with everyone else,means that she will not be noticed as much and may fall through the cracks.

This. I agree 100%.

OP, you sound like a great mom and your daughter sounds like a great girl.

If it gives you any consolation, my SIL (also a single mom) moved (for a better job) before one of her daughters started 12th grade. It was hard for my nieces to have to move, but the girls made the best of it (including my 12th grade niece).

[Anonymous]

It'll be okay, OP. She will be the new kid in January and gets lots of attention. Have a concrete plan with some of her friends so she knows exactly when she will see them again. If budget permits - maybe a new Ipad for Facetiming with her old friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Better than 9, 10, 11, or 12th

Moving at the beginning of 9th grade would have been optimal. However, it is what it is, OP. Is there anyway you can have Christmas in your new place?

OP here - we could. Do you think that would be better? I was trying to give her as much time here as possible.

It might be nice to celebrate Christmas in your new home rather than mourn your last Christmas in your old home. Just a thought. And it would give DD more time to get familiar with the new town.

This.

Also, let her start a new tradition in your new home/hometown. It can be holiday related or not. Might be chocolate chip waffles from scratch on New Year’s Day or brunch out on the first Sunday of the month.

[Anonymous]

Good luck. Our kids were younger, but we made a mid year move and it was fine. Try to get a visit before the actual start so child can see the space and get a vibe. It was not easy, but that timing made it good for the next year (knew some Kids and).

[Anonymous]

Ask the new principal for help. S/he can introduce her to similar girls.

And invite them over.