How do you help the younger siblings cope when their older brother/sister leaves for college? -- especially when the younger siblings are much younger (6 and 11 years younger than the older one)
The family unit they have always known is suddenly different.
It can be hard! It is very important to me that the brothers and sisters be able to picture their missing sibling in his or her new home, so we've made sure to all be involved in taking them to school.
Facetime or Skype is incredible, getting to see their face can be such a help when they are missed. Phone calls, old-fashioned letters, and regular care packages help make things better. A large count-down on the kitchen chalkboard with the number of days til we see them again. A schedule on the refrigerator so we can picture them go through their day.
Or you could take the approach of one of my friends who says she's raised her teenagers to be obnoxious so that it's not hard to let them go!!! (I don't advise it.)
Daisy has summarized my thoughts exactly! I'm finding it hard to shift gears for school time, but shift we must! Hopefully this will be a wonderful time for Daisy and Bella to deepen their bond as sisters and friends, and that Clara, Felix and Giles will continue to thrive where God has placed them.
Luckily, my husbands kids go to college in town. However,as we have four more,and one is starting 11th,Im sure we should be expecting they wont all stay around here. You have some great ideas Anna,and Heather is right,maybe its a good time for daisy and bella to bond. Daisys card was sweet. Thankyou fof sharing. Christina
Oh how sweet.. [and I must admit...just little heart breaking..] I am so thankful for you, that the children have such a close bond..This is wonderful.. God bless Felix as he goes to school. And each of you.
Ha ha! I love it so much. Thanks to Daisy for making my day. I have a 22 year old sister named Daisy and she is incredibly like your Daisy. Every time you do a post about her I'm struck by the similarities!
kids say :) a few years back my oldest son made us all Valentine's incorporating sports teams/mascots into each rhyme. priceless.
i second the countdown and care packages. when my husband was overseas the kids LOVED to shop and pack his favorite things. and we have a special, tiny chalkboard that says 'so many' days til Daddy is home. it started at 545. really.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteHow do you help the younger siblings cope when their older brother/sister leaves for college? -- especially when the younger siblings are much younger (6 and 11 years younger than the older one)
The family unit they have always known is suddenly different.
Thanks for your help.
It can be hard! It is very important to me that the brothers and sisters be able to picture their missing sibling in his or her new home, so we've made sure to all be involved in taking them to school.
ReplyDeleteFacetime or Skype is incredible, getting to see their face can be such a help when they are missed. Phone calls, old-fashioned letters, and regular care packages help make things better. A large count-down on the kitchen chalkboard with the number of days til we see them again. A schedule on the refrigerator so we can picture them go through their day.
Or you could take the approach of one of my friends who says she's raised her teenagers to be obnoxious so that it's not hard to let them go!!! (I don't advise it.)
Daisy has summarized my thoughts exactly! I'm finding it hard to shift gears for school time, but shift we must! Hopefully this will be a wonderful time for Daisy and Bella to deepen their bond as sisters and friends, and that Clara, Felix and Giles will continue to thrive where God has placed them.
ReplyDeleteDaisy is too funny. That's two days in a row she has me chuckling at the beginning of the day! Thanks Daisy!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, my husbands kids go to college in town.
ReplyDeleteHowever,as we have four more,and one is starting 11th,Im sure we should be expecting they wont all stay around here. You have some great ideas Anna,and Heather is right,maybe its a good time for daisy and bella to bond. Daisys card was sweet. Thankyou fof sharing.
Christina
Aw, that's so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI hate how I look on FaceTime although it is helpful! I wish Felix all the best.
That is very sweet. There's nothing like children for saying it best!
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet.. [and I must admit...just little heart breaking..]
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for you, that the children have such a close bond..This is wonderful.. God bless Felix as he goes to school. And each of you.
Ha ha! I love it so much. Thanks to Daisy for making my day.
ReplyDeleteI have a 22 year old sister named Daisy and she is incredibly like your Daisy. Every time you do a post about her I'm struck by the similarities!
Genevieve
Daisy the realist.
ReplyDeleteLove it.
kids say :) a few years back my oldest son made us all Valentine's incorporating sports teams/mascots into each rhyme. priceless.
ReplyDeletei second the countdown and care packages. when my husband was overseas the kids LOVED to shop and pack his favorite things. and we have a special, tiny chalkboard that says 'so many' days til Daddy is home. it started at 545. really.
Now THAT is a long wait!
ReplyDelete