What Is Homesickness and How Can You Help Kids Deal with It?

50% to 75% of the general population experiences homesickness at least once throughout their lives and this type of emotional distress is widespread among youngsters.

Many youngsters who live apart from their parents feel anxious and homesick which is why today, we look into this intriguing topic of “HOMESICKNESS” and learn what it means to feel homesick and how can we help kids deal with it.

Defining Homesickness

Homesickness is defined as the sense of desire for one’s home while away.

In youngsters, it may be a powerful sensation because most youngsters don’t know how to articulate and manage their overwhelming feelings of discomfort.

And since kids don’t know how to manage this emotion, it can be upsetting for them to the point that it interferes with their normal functioning.

Now let’s look at some of the usual symptoms that a youngster feels when he/she feels homesick.

What Are the Signs of Homesickness in Children? 

Youngsters who reside away from home—in boarding schools, homestays, hostels, etc.—often miss their parents’ nurturing and the amenities of home.

And, during this time, the following symptoms show that a youngster feels uncomfortable while away from home.

Difficulty Adjusting to New Circumstances

When youngsters struggle to make new friends or feel uneasy in unfamiliar environments, they often miss home. It is normal to feel attached to one’s home environment such as the distinct flavor of food and to feel safe around certain familiar people, among other things.   

In such cases, it is crucial for parents/caregivers to recognize any indicators of loneliness and provide appropriate guidance to their children.

Signs of Despondency

Students of all ages can exhibit significant levels of anxiety, despair and mental health issues. Journals have reported on certain terrible incidences of self-harm caused by stress and homesickness such as when a girl leaped off a dormitory building and was gravely hurt.

Now that we know of the signs, let’s have a look at the ways that can help deal with homesickness.

How To Handle Homesickness in Children?

Engaging In Hobbies

Students can battle anxiety and homesickness by keeping themselves busy with fascinating hobbies as it will help to alleviate the pain of being apart from family members. 

Networking Opportunities

Seasoned peers at an institution assist students explore better academic possibilities and feel more at ease; their experience is also a useful resource for new students who arrive.

In these situations, networking works as an excellent way to develop good peer relationships because with networking, students can describe homesickness, express their emotions and discover viable remedies thanks to their seniors’ critical input.

Create a Familiar Ambiance

Small changes in a child’s environment can have a big effect. When children leave their homes, they should be encouraged to take their favorite belongings.

An old teddy, a classic book, family pictures, a pen, cups, a cushion, and so on may all assist in alleviating loneliness. For this, parents may discuss the guidelines with the institution and then pack the child’s favorite possessions (as authorized by the institution) and any additional necessities.

Prepare Children for Change

Young children frequently have difficulty grasping the concept of homesickness, however, if we educate children on how to properly categorize their emotions and equip them to cope with them, things can be manageable.

If you intend to send your child to a hostel or boarding school, schedule a night out (at a friend’s or cousin’s home). You may also send your youngster on a brief excursion to a relative’s house to help them adjust to being away from home as these experiences will help children develop the resilience they need to deal with the next encounter.

Enjoyable Experiences

It is imperative that parents and guardians encourage enjoyable activities and experiences such as gatherings in nearby gardens, restaurants, coffee shops and tourist spots during weekly breaks.

Aside from these options, including children in social work or community service activities is beneficial and parent-teacher groups in any institution can agree on/promote these activities to assist children/students overcome fear and homesickness.

Final Takeaway

At last, we can mitigate the effects of worry and homesickness by using these prepared tactics. All we need is the patience to wait for our children to adjust to a new environment and the desire to provide unconditional support during their transition!

If you want to say goodbye to all homesickness for good then enroll your child at Siliguri’s best day boarding school – Sri Sri Academy.

Say goodbye to that homesickness feeling and engage your child with the highest quality education with the comfort of returning to your home.