When I was twelve, I had to change schools in the town I lived in. I had been at one school for six years and then because of financial circumstances, I went to a different school when I entered 7th grade. When I was thirteen, my family moved from Abilene, Texas to Centreville, Virginia. So, I went to eighth grade at another school. Then between eighth and ninth grade, we bought a house in the next county, so I started High School at a completely different school, again. Three school changes in three years. And it was tough. Really, tough. That’s such a hard age already with puberty hitting. Then add the turmoil of moving, leaving friends, trying to make new friends, starting “Junior High”, starting High School and it’s a wonder I don’t have enormous therapy bills! Those were not easy years for me which is why I was surprised and encouraged to read how the daughter of the blogger at Busy Mom’s Journal made the decision to change schools all on her own!

My daughter is entering high school next year. She’s been at the same school since kindergarten…9 years. It’s a wonderful school, and we have had an incredible experience here. … She decided last fall that she wanted to take a look at another well respected school here in town, an all-girl’s school. She’s very intrigued by the single sex aspect of the school. She toured and visited classes last fall with a couple of the high school students and fell in love with it. So we applied…

And she got in! But it was harder to make the decision that they expected it to be. But what she says here about the experience would make any parent proud.

Will things change? Sure they will. They will change whether she stays at the old school or not. I am so proud of her for making this decision. For taking a leap of faith to something she’s not familiar with. For taking a chance. If no one ever took chances, where would they be? There might be regrets. But for sure, there will be new experiences, new opportunities, and if she doesn’t try them she’ll never know what’s out there.

I certainly wasn’t mature enough at fourteen to look at my circumstances as new experiences and new opportunities. I just wanted my old friends and my old school back. This young lady is already on her way to being a well-adjusted adult who can make good, sound decisions.