No matter at what age your child leaves home for further studies, he is definitely going to feel low. Homesickness, anxiety, fear and loneliness are the feelings that are obviously going to prop up. Read on to learn how you can train your child and help him make his transition smooth. Leaving home is never easy and extremely difficult when it is the first time. As a parent, it is your responsibility to help your child think and feel differently so that his transition becomes easier and smooth. You have to make your child understand that studying in a
boarding school can be a great opportunity for personal growth and he should make the most of it.
Problems Faced by Kids Going to Boarding School
Have a quick look at the common and practical problems which children face when they go to boarding school.
Difficulty in Leaving Close Friends and Family Behind
One of the most disturbing elements is leaving home, family and friends behind when one has to opt for boarding school. Your child must be thinking about not only adjusting to roommates, but also to the new rules and regulations of school and off the school as well. Offer complete moral support to your child and always keep in touch with him when in boarding school.
Homesickness
This is the most common among all problems that children going to boarding school face. In fact, this is not just the case with first time goers, but also with regular ones. However, the intensity comes down. It is not just about missing home physically, but lack of love and support in the present environment make the children feel homesick. Some children cope with this feeling faster than others.
Difficulty in Socializing
Some children may find it difficult to socialize and make new friends in the beginning. This is because they enter a completely new environment. If parents prepare children to deal with this situation, children may find it easier to adjust. Depending on the kind of relationship the child shares with you, he will be able to make friends and socialize while residing in the boarding school.
Difficulty in Doing Daily Chores
Children who get everything ready and who are not used-to doing their daily chores on their own will find a little difficult to adjust in the beginning. Therefore, parents should make sure that child learns basic chores before he or she leaves for the boarding school.
Tips to Make Living Away From Home Easier
Although things can be disturbing and painful, here are some tips that can help you prepare your child for the life in a boarding school. In fact the tips might help the move of your child amazing and an unproblematic experience.
Talk to Your Child
If there is any kind of tension or disturbing thought in your child’s mind, talk it out and make him clear about the truth and reality before he leaves home for the boarding school.
Introduce Him to Healthy Habits
Prepare your child by making him keep himself, his clothes and his room clean. Make him used to a regular schedule of going to bed and rising in the morning so that he remains healthy while living away from home. Healthy habits will help him remain physically and mentally healthy.
Make Him Positive about Making Friends
It is obvious that the roommate of your child will be different from him. Prepare him mentally to adjust with few basic things and make friends with his roommate. Introduce him to his roommate in front of you so that he gets comfortable.
Pack Something that Reminds Home
Allow your child to keep with him something that he loves a lot and with which he can have some conversation starter. He can share with his friends out there about what he loves and misses about his home.
Keep Busy
Help your child stay busy at least during the first few days of going to the boarding school so that he does not feel homesick.
It is good to stay connected with your child once he starts living in the boarding school. But make sure you do not call or visit often because this might worsen the situation.
Are children who study in a boarding school more successful than other children? Is sending children to boarding schools good for disciplining them? How to prepare a child to leave home for studying in a boarding school? Discuss here.