New to Flowers Plantation..my daughters need friends!!! (new home, neighborhood)

[karen72]

My family just moved to Plantation Pointe in Flowers Plantation. We are originally from upstate New York. We have two daughters, one at Archer Lodge Middle in 8th grade and the other in 9th grade at Corinth Holders. The schools are much bigger than we are used to and my 9th grader is feeling very overwhelmed. I am looking for other families in this area with kids around my daughters age that they could make friends with and help the transition go a little smoother. We love the area and our new home, but this is a major bump in the road for us. We all just need to make some friends and this move would be perfect. I am concerned about my daughters well-being. Can anyone help??? Thank you

[twingles]

Please take this in the spirit in which it is intended, but why would you post this on a public message board instead of asking for help at the school, joining the listserv/email/whatever for your neighborhood, encouraging them to join a club or sports team....I mean are you really going to give out your private info if someone here contacts you? Would you tell your daughters to do that themselves?

[RedZin]

And, to add to what twingles posted...

9th grade is tough in general. Especially on girls, in my experience.

Your daughter will make friends in no time. School just started and this is a highly transformational year.

Try to encourage her not to despair. I'm sure you are trying it already, but you may want to redouble your efforts.

Best of luck to you!

[twingles]

My nephew started here in 9th grade - it was tough. Kids don't want to exclude, but the groups coming in from different middle schools probably assume she came from the "other middle school" and that she knows people. There is where joining a club or activity is key. My nephew was in band, which helped a lot.

[lamishra]

Best thing to do is to get her involved in school sports or clubs to meet other kids with similar interests.

[goodbyesnow]

My daughter's friend just moved to Flowers this past spring and said the neighbors/kids are super friendly. They are not in plantation pointe, but I know there are a lot of kids over there. She's a few years younger than your kids though. I thought she said there were things you could sign kids up for in the clubhouse. That would be a way for them to meet other kids. We moved here last year and my daughters were going into 5th and 7th. Entering the last year of elementary is tough at a new school, but the 7th grader had an even harder time adjusting. My kids are not outgoing, which doesn't help in making friends. Those are rough ages to move to a new area.

[Caarmour]

Please never tell your kids you've posted on here - I bet they would me mortified! Give them time at school, in school events and social groups - track, choir, band/orchestra, and they will be fine.

[ducter]

You need to work harder at this then in times past, thats a fact no matter where you go. People are getting more antisocial so it takes more work.

Stay involved with the kids.
Go to any school events, you and your kids will meet people. this is a good one because antisocial people aren't going to go to these events.
Walk and talk in the subdivision.
As others said it takes some time in school, it should pick up in a few weeks as kids get settled and come out of their shells in school.

[claytonmom]

Another way for her to meet people is at church. You could visiit together as a family, then hopefully she may meet some young people and find out if they have a youth group.

[caesarsgirl79]

9th grader - I really think 9th grade is easier to make friends, because everyone is new. I agree with the suggestions of joining school clubs and groups. I'm sure she'll start clicking with friends in classes, etc.

8th grader - Middle school is just more difficult period, IMO...I never really understood the whole new kids have such a hard time. When I was in school different cliques would try to get new kids into their cliques. Not to say this happens with every new kid. Of course if they are cuter and/or have a good vibe they are going to want to scoop them up before someone else does.