Since my dad was in the Marine Corps, we moved around a lot. I went to kindergarten in Newfoundland, Canada, attended elementary school at Camp Pendelton, California, then on to the Philadelphia naval base followed by Michigan, New York, and Quantico, Virginia when Dad was in Vietnam. His final assignment was to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he retired from the Corps. Then, I went to a civilian school a short distance away which seemed almost like going to another country.
You’d think I would have gotten used to being the new kid in school, and I did learn to adapt, but it was always hard. Wondering who I’d sit with at lunch was always awkward at first. Being naturally shy, I learned to depend on myself for company when necessary. But sometimes, students reached out to me in friendship giving me the confidence to eventually reach out to others. Maybe that’s why I was moved by this news story about a student who started a club to reach out to newbies and loners.
Do you remember being the new kid? What helped?
December 5, 2017 at 9:36 am
It is often difficult to be the new kid in school, where all the others have known each other for long time.
December 5, 2017 at 10:08 am
Sure is. When my dad retired from the military and I went to the civilian school, many of the students had known each other since kindergarten. That was so foreign to me then. Now and I am still friends with some of those I met that year.
December 5, 2017 at 10:22 am
I have been moving, while my kids were kids too, because in need of jobs, so my kids tried this too, just not so much as you, I think.
December 5, 2017 at 10:39 am
The good thing is that it made me more open minded and I can adapt when I have to.
December 5, 2017 at 10:39 am
When I came to the US when I was 9, I was new and didn’t speak the language. Friendly smiling faces helped. The school sticking me in the closet with mucrofiche not so much, this was before ESL.
December 5, 2017 at 3:16 pm
I’m glad you had those friendly smiling faces. Sorry about the closet. Thanks for sharing that experience!
December 5, 2017 at 4:20 pm
It was only half the time, the other time I was with the other kids. But we know now, I should have been immersed fully.
December 5, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Right!
December 5, 2017 at 3:27 pm
So sorry to hear about your having been put into the closet in school. Your post is a reminder to all of us that giving friendly smiles to others is so important. Thank you for sharing.
December 5, 2017 at 4:18 pm
No problem.
December 5, 2017 at 3:22 pm
I was blessed to have never moved as I was growing up but my children experienced several relocations. Decades later I still remember some of the struggles they experienced. Thankfully, they repeatedly reassure me that they are grateful for the opportunities available to them through some of those moves. The teen and pre-teen years and some school experiences are difficult enough in the best of situations. It’s great that you have used those experiences for the positive!
December 5, 2017 at 3:24 pm
Thank you! Overall, it made for an interesting life! 🙂
December 5, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Oh my goodness, I can imagine! My father was a home contractor. During the coldest, snowiest part of winter, he would remodel some portion of our home. One year he added a second story, another year he added onto the first floor. I remember the winters of the kitchen and bathroom remodels. Oh my!
December 5, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Brrr! That is interesting. An ever expanding house. Cool that your father knew how to do that.
December 6, 2017 at 8:02 am
Yes, he was a very gifted craftsman. During the coldest part of winter he and his crew couldn’t work outside on his contracting jobs so he would use that time to remodel our home. The end result was always worth it but having the kitchen torn up, for example, wasn’t pleasant.
December 5, 2017 at 5:56 pm
What a great thing he is doing.
December 5, 2017 at 8:29 pm
I was impressed by his easy caring manner.
December 5, 2017 at 9:07 pm
I went to 8 schools in 12 years, so I get it.
I’ve uprooted my kids twice — well apart from my eldest daughter, she decided to stay down south.
When we lived on post, we ran an open house for Thanksgiving. We still do, but we have way fewer singles here, had 0 this year.
Video guy is thoughtful. As are you.
December 6, 2017 at 2:20 pm
Moving so much as a kid made me not want to move mine at all. I don’t know if that’s such a great thing. But anyway, it’s good to know we can adapt. Thanks, Joey.
December 6, 2017 at 3:15 pm
It is not nice feeling being alone in a new place.. And thank you so much for sharing this video JoAnna.. He is setting a great example.. We could all take a leaf out of his book and reach out more often to help others feel welcome..
I know when a new neighbour moved in across the street. I went over with a Welcome to your new home card.. They both were so happy a neighbour had said welcome.. It takes very little to be caring..
Love and Hugs to you xx ❤
December 7, 2017 at 1:13 am
I used to welcome new neighbors but have gotten away from that. Next time I have the opportunity, I’ll go do it. It will be fun! 🙂 Thank you, Sue. Love and Hugs. xx
December 7, 2017 at 2:09 pm
🙂 🙂 ❤
December 7, 2017 at 9:00 am
I just remembered during my elementary years when we moved in from far place. I was a shy girl then and I couldn’t make friends becaue I was so quiet. I felt they were different until such time when I was able to adjust with the environment as well as the people around me.
December 7, 2017 at 1:48 pm
We do think people are more different, especially in a new place, until we get to know them. Then, we see the similarities along with the differences. Thank you for sharing this experience!
December 8, 2017 at 2:24 am
☺👍
January 31, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Hi, I’m quite new to WordPress, I will follow you, I like your blog.
January 31, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Welcome! I’ll hope right over for a look! 🙂