I'm sorry but boarding school at 8...

[TheVanguardSix]

I just don't get it.
Not in this day and age.
I don't mean to come across as antagonistic but as I watch DD's best friend prepare to leave next year for boarding school at the age of 8, it just feels sad. It's amazing how the dynamics of their friendship have changed already. And I can't help but assume it has to do with her knowing that she's leaving... preparing to board (she will only come back for Christmas/Easter/Summer hols... not even half-term. Her parents will visit her over half-term).
Don't get me wrong. I'm not against boarding school at all even if it's not in our plans. I get why people send their older kids to boarding school. We know lots of our older DC's friends who started boarding school at 11 and 13. But 8... it just seems so young.
There must be something positive about it. Otherwise, why would people choose to send a young child to boarding school?

My mum used to get upset I don't call home enough, I was just too busy with my life at boarding school. If there was a hint of a problem or a falling out though I'd be on the phone and mum would chat for hrs. Send up something as a treat to cheer me up or if she was really worried about me, she'd drive the few hours and take me out at the weekend to hang out. Every Sunday we spent out for lunch at one of my many aunts and uncles houses, or joined one of my friends Sunday trips out. And we were spoiled with roast dinners and treats to bring back to school that evening. On Saturdays we had a pass to go into the city on the bus so we did that in groups of 3-4 with measley pocket money but it was great. There were sports and activities often on the weekends too, always something going on.

When I went home for boarder weekends or holidays, we got chips on the long drive home with the other kids I grew up with who also went to our boarding school (shared lifts) and mum always had our favourite dinners planned, flowers in our rooms (we didn't give a shit about the flowers), nice stuff planned. I spent my summers riding horses and never feel like I wasn't at home for my teens, just that I had two great places to be. The holidays were long!

Boarding school was such a great experience. My parents were involved every step of the way in my teens. I have never laughed as hard or made as many memories as I did in those years. We were always up to something (innocent stuff). It was mixed boarding for the record.