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AIBU?

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Original poster

Boarding school

284 replies

Changedagain8766789 · 11/01/2023 03:48

I genuinely did not still think boarding school existed for little children anymore. Teenagers yes. But I looked up Prince Harry's old school after starting the book, and it takes boys from age 8.

AIBU to think that unless there are extenuating circumstances, sending your 8 year old away to board, with them coming home every two weeks for the weekend, is cruel? With everything we know about attachment and young children now, I just can't fathom it.

OP posts:
SavoirFlair · 11/01/2023 06:34

Careers shouldn't come before children either.

then there would be no one in the armed forces or diplomats

Januarysux · 11/01/2023 06:31

@themimi do you think the majority of eight year olds loves it? I think I'd have failed as a parent if my 8 year old preferred that to being at home.
There will be very, very few circumstances that justify this at such a young age. Careers shouldn't come before children either.

ChimChimeny · 11/01/2023 06:28

I went at 8 to be a term boarder so only home every 6 weeks or so, my big brother went the year before and I wanted to go.apparently. I look at 10 YO DD & cannot imagine sending her, I really don't know how my parents did. Dad was military but not living away or anything, mum worked full.time in a normal job.

It was really good educationally though & enabled me to get a.scholarship.to a private senior school as a day girl. Also made.me very independent but not in the best way. I can still remember the homesickness over 30 years later

Mexicola · 11/01/2023 06:03

YANBU I can’t imagine my child being upset about something and turning to a matron or the like for a cuddle or guidance or support or just being separated from them.

Beezknees · 11/01/2023 06:01

YANBU, people will jump through hoops to try and justify it but sending an 8 year old away from the family is really terrible. Unless they have abusive parents I guess!

SavoirFlair · 11/01/2023 05:26

We go through a variation of this post once a month on Mumsnet.

themimi · 11/01/2023 05:23

freezingpompoms · 11/01/2023 05:18

Yes it's definitely cruel. I can't believe people pay for it.

It is not cruel. Boarding houses are usually lovely, warm places with lovely staff. Some families need to use boarding E.g. military. I spent many years working in boarding and the majority of kids loved it.

freezingpompoms · 11/01/2023 05:18

Yes it's definitely cruel. I can't believe people pay for it.

Greatly · 11/01/2023 03:52

So don't send your children to boarding school?