Helping your child cope with homesickness at boarding school starts with acknowledging how they feel and supporting them as they learn new strategies to help them feel better and so they can enjoy their time at boarding school.
Although all transitions are tricky, they’re also an invitation to grow. Homesickness is a very human emotion. Children will experience varying degrees of homesickness, no matter what their age. Often it can be triggered by a smell or a familiar image. As your child adjusts, it will be important to validate their concerns by telling them that whatever they might be feeling is okay. Teaching them to recognise when they need support and who to get it from, will be a positive step towards their independence. Parents are encouraged to do this in partnership with the school.
Fortunately, there are strategies to help students and parents cope with these challenges. Homesickness will always be there, but preparation is key to reducing these feelings. Parents can’t solve all problems from afar, so it is important to empower your child to solve their own problems. There will be a point where your child’s resilience will kick in.
This special edition from SchoolTV offers a number of strategies on how best to support a child experiencing homesickness. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Read the full blog and access all of School TV’s resources here.
