Support Thread for Boarders no2

[gillybeanz]

couldn't find the other thread, so long since it was used.
Just thought I'd start a new one for us oldies and so newbies could join if they wished.

Well looks like it's back to the labelling again, just as therapeutic as last year but not nearly as much
Just started the long haul of washing, ironing and packing.
Not helped by dd who keeps taking things off the pile to wear now.
She is back on the 4th, quite early for boarders, I believe.
So hoping you had a good holiday and not too upset they are returning to school soon

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

I came on here to see if there was a support thread for parents of boarders.
My eldest is about to start boarding for the first time this term (yr9).
Actually I lie he did a bit of a term last year to get him used to it but as his brother went to the same school we regularly saw him and then he injured himself so came home when the others were doing post exam activities he couldn't join in with.
I'm not sure how I feel about him going off. Nervous‽ excited‽ I know I'll miss him, that's for sure but I also know this is a chance in a lifetime for him.
So hello everyone. My first post on mn in ages.

[gillybeanz]

Hello jayne

I'm not sure how popular the thread will be as the other although slow continued for most of last school year and fizzled out.

I understand the nervousness and excitement and in our case worry as our dd only started last year.
I also know about the chance of a lifetime that is hard to resist, even though we miss them very much.

If you are anything like me you are probably up to your neck in labelling, we had quite a good laugh about this on the other thread.
I think I was the only parent who actually enjoyed it.

I hope your ds settles into boarding well and enjoys his time at the school, and I hope some others off the first thread join us.

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

I think...
Am I going to regret saying this‽
I think I have done all ds1s labels
dd's are finished
I need to pick up some more shirts for ds2 and ds3 and label them but apart from those I think I am sewing on the last of theirs too right now.

I don't mind sewing labels but have had two new schools this year and was rather grateful that the uniform shop have a service for DS1s as I still had to do all his home clothes anyway. I've got through to series 6 of the West wing anyway so spent quite a bit of time doing it.

Thanks for the welcome.
It's weird to think that people on these threads may have children at the same schools and we would never know.

[gillybeanz]

I know what you mean about dc in the same school.
There are a couple from my dd school on here, but it's a day school too and they are day students.
I think if somebody posts something identifying about the school people soon realise.
My dd school isn't a boarding school in the traditional sense, it's specialist where they can board. So you see, this narrows it down a bit.

Obviously I won't mention any names but I know Eton, Winchester parents were on last thread.

[FantasyAndHope]

DD is going back for 6th form. When does everyone's else's DC's go back? DD goes back 7th to start on the 8th

[GinandJag]

Can I join in here?

I'm starting a new job at a boarding school on Thursday, and am so excited about it.

[GinandJag]

Our boarders are back on the 5th, day boys on the 6th.

[FantasyAndHope]

gin
Welcome my DD is at a boarding school and I work in one different school though I love it

[GinandJag]

Thank you, Fantasy.

I have had a temporary job in the prep school my DSs went to, where DS2 boarded. That was a long time ago though.

I have five children who have all gone to independent senior schools (and varying amounts of prep), but only one boarded. I loved boarding as a parent. Correct that - I loved matron!

The culture shock for me in my new school is Saturday school! I get Wednesday afternoons off to compensate, but will have to pull myself away from watching matches. Housework needs to get done!

[Ooerrmissus]

Hello, my DS1 is off boarding for the first time this year; we are in a bit of a tizz with trying to get everything sorted and labelled- will it never end! He starts on the 4th. I don't know how we will feel when we drop him off; I suspect DP will be a gibbering wreck as he is a big softy!

[derektheladyhamster]

I also work in a different boarding school to my son. My girls start coming back on Monday! But D's goes back on the 4th.

I love working in a boarding house, and although I also work saturdays, its a different relaxed vibe

[FantasyAndHope]

ooer
You'll be fine, I promise I cried and dd cried. Offer support but not too much

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

My boarder starts the 4th. My two who are at prep, the boarders go back 7th but my two are day so go back 8th.

[Swordofthespirit]

Hello! My boarder returns to school on the 4/9. Hate it when the holidays come to an end, but DS is always happy to see his friends and they soon settle back into normal routine. There's an extra edge/twitch to this term starting as its GCSE year.

[FantasyAndHope]

sword
Gcse year as in exams this year? I.e year 11 or going in to year10.

[Swordofthespirit]

Going in to year 11.

[FantasyAndHope]

Good luck DD is just starting sixth form my advise would be this year is a marathon not a race they can easily burn out by doing too much. With little revision from the start till the end they'll be great. Be prepared for tiredness and moaning

[Swordofthespirit]

Great advise fantasy but can I get that through to DS , luckily I've got his HM to do the hard grind, and we'll be reinforcing it. I'm already getting tense just thinking about it

[Swordofthespirit]

Good luck to DD starting sixth form. Is she going to a new school or continuing at her present school?

[FantasyAndHope]

sword
Continuing at present was too much hassle with being a boarder to consider other places
It should click with him hopefully, I got the brunt end of the tiredness and DD is only a weekly boarder

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

Hope your first day went well Gin

[ooerrmissus]

Hi, hope everyone is okay now the DC have gone back/ started! Thanks Fantasy, we managed to hold it together and DS was fine until it was time for us to go, when he got a bit tearful.

A weird question for you old timers: DS has emailed to say he's had the mickey taken because he doesn't wear pants under his PJs! He's never done that, even during scout camp and residentials and so on. I am right in telling him it's fine or is this some unspoken boarding school rule I'm not aware of?

[FantasyAndHope]

Not sure ooer as I have a DD but many of the girls sleep like your DS. When DD first started boarding she has an early morning scare and I'll say no more.
I'm glad it went fairly well
DD is back tomorrow

[derektheladyhamster]

My ds doesn't wear pants under his PJs. But he regularly just wears a t shirt and pants.

[abear]

No pants under PJs here either. DS1 went back to start his second year yesterday (Y10), and I think DH is the one who is taking it most badly.