A lot of kids can experience homesickness, especially if this is the first time they will be away from you. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to prevent your child missing home or at least make it that bit better for them.
Talk about the fun they’ll have
Talk about the cool things that they will do away from home and the experiences they will be able to tell you when they come home. Don’t say things like “I don’t know what I’ll do without you”, while it may seem like an innocent and kind gesture, it may cause your child to feel guilty that they are going to be away thus spurring on feelings of homesickness.
Avoid being negative
Avoid telling your child “I hope you’ll be ok” because as soon as you say this they will start to wonder why they wouldn’t be ok. Be as enthusiastic and optimistic about their trip away as much as possible.
Don’t mention that they are able to come home when they want
If you are sending your child to stay with grandparents or they are heading off on a school trip, avoid telling them that they can come home if they don’t like it. Sometimes it can take kids a couple of days to settle in and they may want to come home before they have given it a chance. Try not to speak with them
Avoid talking to them or having long telephone conversations
If possible, try not to speak with them while you are apart. Sometimes this can trigger feelings of homesickness in them which will turn into feelings of guilt for you. Obviously, if you are going to be away for a more than a couple of days this won’t work, but try to keep contact to a minimum.
Tell them it’s normal
If your child rings you upset, tell them that it is normal to feel this way. Try to encourage them to look on the bright side and talk about what they are getting up to. Tell them that they will be home before they know it and to have as much fun as they can before that.
Even f you are going to miss them, avoid telling them this and try not to make a big deal about it.
