Hi. This is my first post, so I'm a bit unsure about if I am in the right area to post this. If not please point me where to post it

We are PCS'ing to Japan in a few months, ( Yokosuka ) and my five year old son is scared. He is worried about the flight over there, leaving his friends, and what it will be like. This is the first PCS he will remember and I want to make it a good one for him. There is no amount of Googling I can do or videos I can show him that have eased his fears. So I'm wondering if anyone has another child around his age ( he is 5, will be 6 in September ) that maybe can exchange letters with him, or email. 
   
I don't know if that is allowed, but I have to try. I've scoured the net for sites that will allow him to be put on a pen pal list but they all require money and I'm not too comfortable with that or the amount of information they are asking for. I will be helping him with his spelling and sentance structure ( we home school as well so this would be a wonderful opportunity to practice handwriting/reading ).

Thank you all so very much for reading this!

**By soon I mean about 7-8 months, he just got his orders.

I'm sorry for being impatient, but over 100 views and no one can even point me in the right direction? If you know of a legitimate website for pen pals, or a miilitary kids site, or any ideas on how to make him feel more comfortable I'd really appreciate it! This is his first PCS ( that he will remember and can understand ). I've spend almost four hours on the reporting to Japan forum, and am still reading it but haven't seen mention of pen pals or websites for kids. I've shown him pictures, videos, we go and get books at the library and I show him pictures of other children in Japan but he is still scared, to the point that he was crying about the move last night. He is worried that the kids won't speak English ( even though I told him they would ), scared about the long plane ride, and he said that everything looks scary and strange. I could really use a little advice,especially because all I could come up with is to connect him to another person through letters to calm him some. The thinking behind that was if he had something physical to hold and read it would help him to realize Japan is a real place with real people and children. Not just some pictures in a book or on a website. I am probably wrong, but I am open to ALL other ideas to help him.

I am sorry for being so pushy, but if you are a parent then you know how heart breaking it is to have your child worried, crying, and scared, and not know how to fix it. Add in all the other stuff we have to do ( passports, screenings, storage, packing, and more that I'm sure I haven't even read about/learned about yet ) and I am worried that he will just get more nervous and make this whole transition that much harder on all of us.

Hello Jess and welcome to Japanbases.com

You have definitely come to the right place. You will find many people do care about your situation and there are several other parents that have gone through the same feeling your going through now.

Please just be patient. Someone will chime in.

This community is the largest military base website in Japan, and its constantly growing by the day. You will find that the Reporting To Japan section is going to be the BEST place to find information and read experiences from others that have gone before you.

I am sure you have already answered several questions just by reading.

I dont know exactly about the pen pals, but I will do some research for you. I have some POC's I will talk with, and see if we cannot get you a list. All in all, its a great idea, and something we may add onto the website in the future. So reporting personnel can have their kids connect with other kids that want a friend there age. I worry about stalkers (Im sure you understand why) but I am sure there is always something that can be developed which is safe, and secure for parents to feel comfortable.

Please dont feel stressed! Everyone goes through the anxiety and the pressure of new change. Its natural. Your son will soon realize when he gets here, there are kids his age, and he will quickly gain several friends by attending the onbase school.

There are so many activities, festivals, beaches, and wonderful sights to see, you will have your hands full!

Japan is a great place to be stationed, and your son will be at an age, he can remember his experience here for the rest of his life.

Good luck, and I hope someone chimes in and provides you some POC's...

Take care.

My kids are older,(9 & 12), but I will say this we have a very active home school group here spanning preschool to high school. I will share this with the group.

Well I am new to this site and I have two daughters around your sons age we are reporting there soon as well so maybe we can help each other with that to make it easier on both of us.

Hi I looking for Friends for my sons too. My sons are 8, 6, 4 we live in miura is about 20 mins form yokosuka, but we are very often in Yokosuka, (I teach Ju Jutsu (is Self defence), Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing near the Base for Kids and Adults.). I live in Japan for over 10 Years and I fluent in japanese. I hope we can help each other.

I have a daughter 11 and a son 6 if you would like to get together when you get here!!