Would you ever allow your 7 yo to board?

[Toolley]

Hiya, DS has been accepted onto the junior swim team with his school, he is the youngest on the team, but most of the boys are roughly his age, maybe Year above. Would you allow him to board on the 2 nights that he trains in the evening/morning. For example, training is Tuesday night, Wednesday morning (so board Tuesday night) and then training on Thursday night and Friday morning, so board Thursday, so he would only board on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He is very keen.

Would you allow this?

As others have said I think this is low key boarding - more like a sleepover and I think providing you have option to change to no boarding if this isn't working I would

You asked if we'd 'allow' our 7yo to board.

By using allow it sounds like either the school have suggested it or ds has?

If it's ds then yes absolutely I would allow him to as IMO there's no weird damaging relationship likely to form from you supporting your ds. In fact it's likely to be extremely positive. Especially if he knows he can stop if and when he chooses.

If it's school who've suggested it I'd simply ask your ds how he feels.

If it's more you have thought about it and are engaging opinions here before approaching ds and school - ask ds!!!!

He has to be the driving force in this decision.

And yes read the important bit of your OP where it says he's keen.

So I'd say go for it! He will feel loved if your supporting his 'hobby'. (My ds swims for a club so I know it's more than that but couldn't think of a better word!)

Yes, I work in the boarding house of a prep school. We have plenty of children doing this sort of thing and love it. It really is just like a sleepover.
Also swim training is tough. They train younger and harder than almost any other sport. And early mornings become the norm. That said they're not easy but it's easier to get up and walk the two minutes over to the pool with your mates than get up on your own then travel to pool and then on to school. If he's keen, give it a go.

It's nuts, really, he's seven!

Unlikely to be the road to Olympics, even if he's keen.

Enjoy your child at home.

Most definitely not. He's far too young IMHO.

2 nights a week for a clear purpose with the clear option of ending it

yes, definitely

No, I wouldn't. I think a 7-year-old is too young to board.

Why don't you agree to trial it for two weeks, then discuss again with DS. See how you both feel about it then.

Never say never! Try it!

Oldlibrary he could well be on the road to the olympics age 7. Just saying. It seems to me that he is keen and committed and would be free to change his mind or the arrangements if he wanted to. So yes I would be in favour of this for him OP as it may end up better for his homework and sleep than trying to fit in training and lifts and supper and homework etc at home.
Best of luck to him!

2 nights per week? Yeah, I'd do it as a trial for a month and see how he's going. You can always cancel.

Actually I would and I'm dead set against boarding. It sounds more sustainable in terms of his energy levels.

Are you confident about the conditions in the boarding house and the staff? Are the other boarders well behaved and will your ds get enough sleep?
I say this as my ds (age 8) is a day pupil at a boarding school, and I hear about the shenanigans that go on in the junior boarding houses!

I am not a fan of boarding school for young children, but in those circumstances it seems like a sensible plan. As long as he is happy with it, and can stop boarding those nights if he doesn't get on with it, I can't see a reason not to allow it.

Of course - if he wants to. Surely he can try it and you can re-think if he isn't happy?

In the situation you describe, yes it seems a very sensible option. If he doesn't enjoy it, then you can re-think.

I know some people will never believe it, but some children do actually enjoy boarding!

I don't know.

It seems 'sensible' but I'd be concerned about the nights creeping up until he's weekly boarding, then staying Friday because x is happening etc.

I'm sure plenty of children do enjoy boarding, but I wouldn't want to be living separately to my children.

Looking only at the thread title I'd have said no, but reading the post I'd say in your situation yes.

If and only if he remains keen, and with the absolute commitment to cancel the boarding arrangements if he is not enjoying it, even if that means you have to pay for the rest of the term of nights he doesn't use. At 11 you might say that he'd chosen to board and had to stick to it for the rest of the term, but at 7 you have to let him back out as he is too young to absolutely grasp the commitment/ financial side.

No. I have swimmers and they've been at a boarding school and even then I didn't let them (to be fair they didn't want to!). It was too expensive and frankly a bit odd Imo. Swimming isn't that important or just get up earlier!

I personally wouldn't but neither of my dc would have coped at 7 or even older actually. If it's OK with your ds and with you then go ahead.

I would. And I'd relish the peace and quiet in the house on those nights.

Yes, in these circumstances and on a trial basis for a month at first, then review

I'd let it be his decision and if he said yes then didn't like it anymore you could always change.
Character building! Especially for only 2 nights at a school I assume he is already well used to and with boarders who he would know.

Don't think I could... DP was sent to board full time at 6 (!!!) and now in his late 40s, is still dealing with the fallout of being sent so young. He had no idea how normal family life should be before we had DS, and I've basically had to "teach" him how to be a family, with help from a therapist. His childhood was quite sad all round really, but this was a hugely important factor in his adult psychological issues.

I know this isn't quite the same, but at that age, being at home with a loving family will stand him in good stead for life far more than swimming club will. But I can see why it would make practical sense - just wouldn't do it iust for that reason.

Yes, to two nights a week. I think he probably would enjoy it, and so would you!! Try it, you can always change it later if doesn't work out.