My mom and me moved and I had to switch schools. I really miss my old one and I miss my old friends so much. I know some new kids at this school but I don’t connect with them. They already have their real friends. Two kids I met might like me, but I don’t know. My dad said I could move in with him, but my whole family lives here. No one lives by my dad. I would miss my mom and my family. I don’t want to move again, but maybe that would help. What should I do?

I know it's hard to be moved away from one place to another and I know it’s hard when you miss your friends. It can be uncomfortable trying to make new friends and it seems like it takes so long.

The advantage you have over those who have never moved is your experiences, to include your old school and your old friends. Those you're meeting now may know nothing about the place you came from and it may even seem a bit exotic and special to them — that you've traveled, moved and have experiences different from theirs.

If you're keeping in touch with your old friends (mail, email or phone calls), you'll be able to tell them about your new home. You can tell them about things and people you do like and even the things and people you don't like.

Best of all, what you say to your old friends won’t get back to those in your new place. You can tell your old friends about a cute guy you like and there’s no chance he’ll find out. You can even talk to your old friends about the snotty girl in your new school who dresses funny, and snotty girl will never know.

Living near family is a good thing. In the long run it will help with your adjustment. It may not be what you prefer, but being around family when you're trying to adjust beats trying to adjust when there's absolutely no one else around that you know.