Oh the opinions!

[Defaultmum]

Seeking advice! We decided to send our kids to boarding school, and we’re facing a lot of opinions from friends and family. How do you cope with the pressure and judgment that comes with such a big decision? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Many of ‘our circle’ are extremely pro-government funded education and we feel that is not the best choice for us.
Have you experienced the judgement/options of others?
Just wanting to seek solidarity with like minded people here.

We have some family that are very vocally against it, one of them is a retired school principal - she retired 30 years ago so has zero idea of what the education system is like today.
I’m have reached a point where I’m extremely happy with our decision and excited for all the opportunities that our kids can access.

I got a lot of judgment for sending my DC to a boarding prep when they were 8.5, particularly from champagne socialist family & friends who could afford multi-million pound houses next to outstanding state schools or lots and lots of tutoring for grammars.

However the judgers ended up eating their words because it has been a great success. DC have really enjoyed it. Much happier than their previous primary. Am very I didn’t listen to the naysayers and trusted my instinct.

Just ignore people or maybe question their choices.
We had some backlash, we ignored it.
My boys were day pupils then moved to boarding for sixth form ( all through schools )
No one said a thing about them boarding but some had lots to say at going private in general. One thought because we are vegetarian we were being hypocrites 🤣🤣🤣 that was one of my favourite comments.

Laugh it off, don’t get stressed or just point out what you think of their choices.

I live in a grammar area where everyone chooses to have mansions and 2+ cars rather than pay for education. It is not one of the super selective grammar areas and sadly the nasty atmosphere around the 11+ and tutoring secrecy means many of them are spoilt bullies. Dd is boarding at a school just over an hour away and is so much happier than she was at her state primary (one of the main feeders for the poorly achieving grammar schools) and is far happier. Her peers at the grammars are being pushed by school and parents, bullied by peers, vaping, smoking pot, drinking, self harming, dating...all before 14. Most of them are on line to get 7s at GCSE's and not even across the board, compared to DD's peers who are all between 7-9 across the board with top-notch extra curricular thrown in, so it feels like a no brainer. For the sake of a large house, 3 holidays a year and extra car I would not chose that for my dd. The state sector doesn't help with the mismatch of what is offered in each area and whether SEN is supported - dd's dyslexia would not have been at these local schools.