Tips For Helping Your Child Transition Into School

The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships

If you have a child who will be going to school for the first time this fall - or even if you have a child who will be going to a new school this fall - it can be as difficult on you as it is for your child, because you will find yourself wishing there was some way for you to be a shield for them. But although it will not be possible for you to protect them in person at the school, there are certain things that you can know about what any child will deal with when they are in a new situation such as this, and this will help you to know what you need to do in order to help them out.

A lot of parents have a tendency to want to empathize with their child's struggles, but in a situation such as this, what your child will really need is encouragement; understand, of course, that there is a fine line between "providing solutions" (which most children will not want!) and providing encouragement - which means that you should encourage them by telling them how great they are doing, but you should not try to provide instruction.

In this same vein, a lot of children simply need someone who can be a listening ear for them; when your child comes home and needs to complain about how no one likes them, or how they don't fit in, the best thing you can do is be there to listen to them!

But throughout all this time when you are simply listening and keeping your thoughts inside, realize that there will come a point where your child will ask for your help - so make sure you are storing up your thoughts and advice during this time, and when they ask for your help at last, you will be ready to give it to them.

It can be tough on a young child when they are having to transition into new surroundings, but as the parent, you can be your child's support system - and as they work through these situations, you can follow these tips to be there beside them.