Adjusting to boarding school can be difficult for most students. Many students suffer from homesickness, which could ultimately lead to problems with focusing in school. As a parent, there are things you can do to help your child cope with the experience and adjust faster.
Avoid Constant Calls
Although you miss your child and he or she misses you, allowing him or her to call you constantly can actually do more harm than good. Your child cannot adjust to the experience of being away at school as long as he or she is spending time on the phone with you.
Set a schedule for calls and stick to it. It is okay to talk to your child daily, but do not linger on the phone. Short calls of 15 to 20 minutes are enough to check in with your child about his or her day and let your child know you care.
Encourage Extracurricular Involvement
One of the fastest ways for your child to adjust to a new environment is to get involved in fun and time-consuming activities. Your child's boarding school likely has a wide range of extracurricular activities available that can provide a chance to meet new people and make friends.
If your child is reluctant to join an activity, make a deal with him or her. For instance, if your child joins the choir, agree to let him or her go to a concert.
Consult With the School's Staff
Since your child is away at school and under the care of others on a full-time basis now, you need to keep an open line of communication with the staff. School personnel, from the teachers to the advisers, can provide you with insight about how your child is doing. They can also offer suggestions on how to help your child better adjust.
Check in with the staff at least once a month via email or phone to ensure you are aware of any issues.
Visit Your Child Unexpectedly
Although adjusting does require some separation from you, too much separation can be harmful. An occasional unexpected visit can be fun for your child.
When you visit, encourage your child to take you on a tour of the school and to introduce you to his or her friends. By doing this, you give your child a chance to show you what he or she is excited about at the school. Anytime your child is feeling homesick in the future, you can remind him or her about those things.
For more ideas, contact a boarding school like Admiral Farragut Academy.
Share9 May 2016
When I was a kid, my parents didn't care if I went to school or not. My mom and dad worked full time, and truthfully we didn't usually see them until well after school got out anyway. Unfortunately, this lack of schooling made it hard for me to learn valuable study habits. When I started taking school seriously later, I found that I was way behind where other kids my same age were. Fortunately, a few kind-hearted teachers helped to turn things around for me. They taught me techniques for how to learn, and I want to share them with you.
