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if your 4(ish) year old has ever transferred preschools - please come in!
tomorrow is link's last day at the school he's been in for the past 18months. we aren't unhappy in his current school, but our district doesn't offer preschool/pre-k or full day k, so we started looking at our options. we visited a private school in-district that we really, really like. he spent a few hours at the new school last week and it went fairly well. he, like usual, is resistant to change but by the time mh picked him up, he was in the front of the room participating with in an activity with a few other students. we've been talking it up since then and he's been pretty excited about it, too!
so...he starts his new school on tuesday. tonight, when i was putting him to bed, he curled into my arms and was sobbing (with tears and all) saying that he was so nervous to start his new school...he was going to miss all of his friends....what if he doesn't make any friends at his new school....etc.
i explained to him that i just started school and a new job and that he and i could help each other as we make new friends. i also said that i would set up a playdate with his best friend this weekend (steph, if you're reading this, i'll be messaging you soon), to remind him that his friendships will continue, even when he changes school.
anyway....if you've read this far, and you've helped your older child transition schools, any tips? i do believe this is the right option for him/us, but my heart is breaking for him, knowing how hard this transition might be. 
Re: if your 4(ish) year old has ever transferred preschools - please come in!
We're not in this position, but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're dealing with this...the scene you described when you put him to bed made me shed a few tears. How hearbreaking!
I'm sure he'll be fine, but I would have been a mess. Poor little guy.
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When I moved Sabrina to the school she is in now we brought her into the new school prior to her start date for a day..it helped b/c I knew she'd have a tough time. She is starting a new preschool this September. I lucked out b/c her bff from her current school is also moving to the new school. But we've already visited the new school and they agreed to allow her to come in for the day to visit again. We have talked about her new school in the sense that its the big girl school and it will help her get ready for kindergarten. The new school also has a library which she LOVED..so we are hyping that up. We also told her that anytime we want to go back and visit old school we can.
Big hugs...I'm sure he'll do great!
Mangia! My Family Table
We went a step beyond moving daycares and moved STATES when Max just turned 4. I wont lie, it was rough but I think it was the moving away from NJ that did it more than school. We actually puit him in a daycare up here for two weeks and HATED it then transferred him to the same chain he was inin NJ. so he moved, and went to TWO new daycares within a month. Trauma.
We bought some books and explained the situation as best as we could. It took several months for him to get adjusted and it's been about 8 months now and he loves his school. He still misses NJ terribly though. I'd say just prep him and be ready for lots of tantrums and tears---good luck, I feel your pain!
Brian (4) & Gavin (3) both started new schools in early Decemeber after we moved from Staten Island to Orange County, NY. They were out of school for a month so it was a bit challenging and we were living with my sister. But once we were settled in the new house, they started. The first day Brian went in great but Gavin cried & screamed and the teacher had to carry him in. He did that when he started pre-school at age 2 & that lasted 3 weeks. When he started in Sept. at age 3 he walked right in b/c it was the same school/teachers. So for him the new school was rough but the crying for him only lasted 2-3 days and he always came out with a big smile. They are attending their new school for about 3 months now & they love it.
I think it's great that you can relate to him about your new job/school. Maybe if you tell him you are scared or afraid to make new friends that should help him a little. Good luck Linc & good luck mommy!!!!!
Brian 04.13.07~Gavin 07.16.08~Tristan 12.02.10
~Angel in Heaven~ emergency d&c 07.16.09 @9wks
AUGUST 2011
BOSCO - My first son
We had the same situation. He does still talk about his old school occasionally but he made two new bff's after a few days. He was nervous too. The kids mostly knew each other from pre k 3 and he did not but it didnt matter. Good luck and I am sure he will do great!!!
omg that makes me want to cry, hug you, and kiss his big cheeks.
I hope it goes much better than expected!