Preparing for Boarding

[ChildrenOftheFarawayTree]

It's that time of the year again. We're getting ready to go off to boarding. By far the most onerous task being labelling things. Are people doing this themselves or are you using someone else e.g a dry cleaners? If you are how much do they charge? So far everywhere I've called have said £1 per item . We've got socks, underwear, tops, trousers, beddings, towels etc all needing labelling.luckily school have done the uniforms for us, but just curious what other people are doing.

teta ideally, you need a large laundry bag for the bedding.
School gave DD one the first week, so yours might too? See what they do or what the others do? It depends a bit on the system they use for bedding and washing.
My DD also insists on taking a very bulky mattress topper with her as she is such a special snowflake she can't sleep on the school mattress otherwise 😂 So the entire car was full of stuff this evening. Everyone is lugging bags around though when they get there, don't worry!
We do have a tuck box, but we already had it. I probably wouldn't have bought one otherwise, but it is handy as it's lockable and easy to carry.
And DD decided not to take a suitcase this year and took her clothes in plastic lidded boxes that then slide into her wardrobe. But again, that depends on what others do at your school.
Basically, don't worry about anything this term. Figure it out for next term!

teta, to be honest we're just going to fold up quilt and put it in the car.
With regards to tuck boxes, although, they are on our school's recommended list, the House Matron told us not to bother as they have a small lockable safe in their wardrobe and supposedly they've never had any problems with valuables going missing.

How many suitcases and bags has everyone filled? I think we'll be taking two very small suitcases, her PE holdall and two laundry bags full of stuff. I can see up tipping over into another small laundry bag I bought as a back up, as well as her loose quilt.

DD has been going to a state school with loads of friends. Can someone hopefully tell me she'll be welcomed and make friends.

Thank you Gin and Ifonly.I feel like I'm taking him to his first day of school again.Only this lanky 'child' is taller than me ,is permanently standing on my toes and doesn't seem to know how much space he takes up ( due to sudden growth spurt). I've had to buy him too big a blazer. So he looks a bit quaint, as he grows out of things in three months.

Ifonly4 - DD has just started st a vocational school 6th form. She's spent the last 11 years in state ed, (5 years at local comp.)

She (& we) had 3 days notice that she was going, so no time to mentally prepare.

Within 2 minutes she was happily chatting to other newbies. She's in a form with 3 others who have been at the school for several years, they made her SO welcome.

1 day in, and she's texting me telling me the school is brilliant, she's made loads of friends and life is wonderful

I hope that's reassuring x
Wishing you and your DD loads of luck in this exciting journey

Sorry she's in a dorm with 3 others!

A form of 3 would be crazy, blame the wine I was too emotional to drink last night

Novice to boarding here.. My son starts on Thursday, he is 11.. He is excited, everything is ready but these last two days are proving hard. I am working from home, siblings have started at their schools today, Dh away with work and it's raining heavily!

christmaswreaths oh, I remember that anticipation. I think DD attacked a few box sets on Netflix!

Not a bad idea... Will have to suggest it!!

Well we're back from dropping DD off. I coped okay until I was aware the time was coming to say goodbye and I just about held it together.

DD has a fantastic time at the local primary and comp over the last 11 years, but her old comp can't offer her what she needs for Sixth Form, so she went for a scholarship and got it - well she got two but she didn't want the one that was on doorstep.

They all have their own rooms - she says she's going to wedge her door open this evening. There are three other new girls in the house so fingers crossed that'll help her settle in.

Ds2 has had a major meltdown tonight saying he is"losing his best brother".. I sat him down with a calendar and showed him all the times he'scoming home, so he was reassured. Ds1 will be fine, but it will be hard for us at home!! Sigh

You can buy personalised fabric stamps for socks/underwear. Iron on labels are also fair quick and cheap on eBay.

ifonly4 I hope tonight goes well!

The students who board bond so very very quickly. Fingers crossed!

Christmas ah, yes. It really hits my little one too 😔. But there's FaceTime. My two have just had a quick chat on it now because she wanted to show her big sis that we had the logfire burning!

Do the little ones get used to it ginandtoast!? I am terrified of traumatising them..!!!

christmaswreaths they honestly do!

It's just been me and the little one the last few days after school and she is a different child in a way. She hates hates hates her older sister going away, and then somehow thrives on the space 😏

We dropped off Ds yesterday.He has lovely cool bedding and his room is very cosy.He's sharing with his friend and they are both very relaxed about it.We spent the day sewing loops onto towels and his sister made cookies for him to take to school.
Younger brother is thrilled to now be in sole charge of the x box.
Ifonly4 your dd will make friends instantly I'm sure.

We dropped off Ds1 today too!!

Dd1 left a beautiful heart shaped letter for him and it was amazing for a 13 year old teenager

He looked happy, and I feel relieved. Ds2 cried his eyes out going to school this morning but I am hoping he will be so busy that the days will go fast until Ds1 comes home 🏡