My boys go to a prestigious boarding school. Ask me anything !

[tummyduck]

Ask me anything about my boys who board at an all boys’ school ! Any disrespectful questions will be ignored

OP, when will you be sharing this post with your husband and your children?

Are There any royals or notable families at this school?

I went to boarding school from 13 to 18.I loved it, after getting over the initial homesickness. It was a sleepover every evening and plenty to do during the day. I didn’t see my parents as often as your children see you, @tummyduck . Sounds like you’ve picked the right place for them. I think if you’ve never been, it can be tricky to imagine positively what it’s like. I’m really glad we attended boarding school.

But of course! It’s very prestigious.

@tummyduck you mentioned they have a sister. Where is/was she educated? Also boarding?

But how can they be at a prestigious school
if they started at 11? Is this outside the UK?

why would you not stay in the same country as them, day board them instead?

Let your husband work away and parent your kids?

Not a fan of boarding, hence my comment. The only type of boarding is "ok" is sixth form, where they are 16+ and adult almost to be able to handle it better IMO.
I don't see the point of having kids and letting someone else do the daily parenting of them - homework/bed routine etc

how often do the boys interact with girls at other local (boarding or day) schools?

@tummyduck your husband went to boarding school, did you go too?

I'm not anti boarding school but what @recipientofraspberries says is spot-on. I went at 12 (grew up overseas) and enjoyed my time at school and still have friends from there. It's only now, 35 years later, that I realise that I went into survival mode because I had no choice - my parents weren't there for a hug after a bad day or when I was ill, or if I fell out with a friend, and I just had to get on with it. But I also would never have told my parents I was having a bad day or whatever because I wouldn't want to upset them. And being expats, I only saw my family during Christmas, Easter and the summer, not even half-terms. That does have an effect on a child and its only now I'm recognising the impact that being away from a family unit as a child can have.

It sounds like you see your kids more regularly which is good and schools are definitely more aware of some of the impacts boarding can have. It still may be useful to be aware that some kids will say everything is fine when it's not.

Parenting is what happens when you are least expecting it. It’s what happens in the quiet times. The conversations in the car on the way to an activity, the early mornings when you get up before the rest of the family, the chats across the table during a random Tuesday night dinner. Aren’t you upset/concerned that you’re missing these?

Also not RTFT but the decision to give them stability in their education.. what made you prioritise this over a stable home life and parenting them every day? Why is education seen as most important here?

Is it fair to say they go to boarding school only because your DH and his family went and you have to make up a reason you think seems good enough to justify to yourself and others the instability it causes your DC? (Genuinely curious!)

The tax payers pay her husband’s salary too and insists he works when and where in the world his employers dictate. That’s why their schooling costs are subsidised; to give the children stability during their school lives rather than moving school locations every time their parent(s) have to move.

I’m quite shocked at the attitudes towards innocent children. In no way did I imply that my current school takes safeguarding more seriously that state. I said that it was robust in terms of training (possibly more) because everybody knows that the children are there 24 hour per day and they care that they are vulnerable. I was simply offering my findings as someone who went to state school themselves and taught in state schools.

Just your matter of fact responses. I’ll lose my sh*t at some of the purposefully, snarky questions on here but that’s a me problem.

And the “humble” comment was about the fact that when I went into the independent sector, people asked me if the children were, “stuck up”. I have found them to be mindful of it and they are often careful not to be!

Yes, Google is your friend.

@Asunciondeflata- sorry, didn’t mean to sound arsey! 😂

I’m interested to know about your education, OP. How do you compare the two experiences?

Agreed.not even part time parents
How must those children feel

Do children of that age wander around town on their own

Why have children if you don't spend much time with them?

10% this- no way would I trade those precious times with our daughter. Plenty of excellent private schools without the need for boarding

Indeed!

Best Q yet!

Yes I do at times. But I see them a lot and we have some very precious times . Less Hollywood emotional with the 16 year old- but plenty of 1:1 days and holidays etc