Moving to a new city or heading off to a sleepaway summer camp can be overwhelming for any child. In Freeda the Frog Is On the Move, author Nadine Haruni highlights the emotional challenges associated with relocating or changing schools, particularly the struggle of saying goodbye to familiar comforts.
The following five tips can help parents and guardians support their children during this transition, demonstrating that change can be a positive experience rather than something to fear.
1. Communication is Key: Open, honest conversations help ease anxiety. Whether your child is preparing for a big move or heading to sleepaway camp, explain what to expect and why it’s happening. Invite them to ask questions, share their feelings, and be part of the planning process. Feeling heard can help them feel more in control.
2. Create a Positive Atmosphere: Frame the experience as an adventure. If you’re moving, let kids help pack and choose what to bring to their new room. If they go to camp, involve them in picking out supplies or decorating their bunk area with items familiar to them from home. Turning the unknown into something exciting can ease nervousness.
3. Maintain a Sense of Routine: Big changes can feel less overwhelming when some parts of life stay the same. Try to maintain consistent routines before and after the move, or on the days leading up to camp. Regular mealtimes, bedtime rituals, or favorite snacks can offer comfort and predictability.
4. Get Familiar with the New Environment: Help kids feel more grounded by exploring their new surroundings together. If possible, visit the new neighborhood before moving. For camp, show them photos or a map of the campgrounds, talk about daily activities, and, if available, attend an open house or orientation session.
5. Be Patient and Supportive: Transitions take time, and emotional ups and downs are expected. Whether adjusting to a new home or feeling homesick at camp, give them space to express their feelings. Validate their emotions and let them know it’s OK to feel nervous, sad, or even excited all at once.
Freeda the Frog Is On the Move is the third book in the Freeda the Frog series by Nadine Haruni. After marrying Samson, Freeda invites him and his tadpole to join her two tadpoles on her lily pad. However, fitting five frogs into such a small space is a challenge. They decide to move to a new home, city, and school, which helps them become closer as a family. Haruni hopes this book will help children facing worries about moving or significant life changes see that there is always a silver lining. At the end of the book are a coloring sheet and a word find for children to enjoy.
Freeda the Frog Is On the Move
Publisher: Mascot Books
ISBN-13: 978-1684018109 Available from https://www.amazon.com/Freeda-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nadine Haruni is the award-winning author of The Hat Diaries fantasy adventure series and the Freeda the Frog children’s books. The Hat Diaries: Discover the Portal is the second book in The Hat Diaries trilogy, following the success of The Hat Diaries: The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee. The Hat Diaries trilogy is written for teens and adults, expanding readers’ imaginations as they enter Ryan’s secret world. The Freeda the Frog series focuses on acceptance for every type of family and comforts children as they experience real-life situations. Haruni frequently does author events, radio and TV interviews, and podcasts. She is also a practicing attorney, certified yoga instructor, and the proud mother of a blended family of five children.