A thread for boarding school parents 2020

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

Have we got such a thread?
I did look but couldn’t see one.
If we haven’t wouldn’t anyone like to join me in this thread to support each other during these strange times. Getting a child off to boarding school is hard enough anyway for so many reasons but it’s decidedly more difficult at this time.
How are you all doing?

Dd 13 starts in September. She’s wavering between anxious and excited. I’m trying to organise uniform and what she may need. I’m really bad at knowing what girls may want and what is appropriate.
My sons are easy. They haven’t grown and I’ll just send them back with the same stuff.

Dd 13 also starting this Sept, Ds going back (hopefully!). She's really excited, have sorted uniform. I really hope they can start back properly...

My DD (14) is starting this September. She was at a day school but it wasn't a great fit so she is off to board for the first time. I boarded myself from age 12 and am really hoping she has as good an experience as I did.
The scramble to get uniform though- it's not as though the shop is near to us, and me and DH both work FT so not much spare time for organising! We made up our minds very late to move her schools, so playing catch up a bit. Happily I love sewing on name tapes!

Oh I don’t.
In the past it’s been great as the boys stuff can be bought from schoolblazer and they have a label sewing on service but due to Covid they’re not doing it. There was enough just with home stuff with the multiple pairs of pants etc. Not sure I fancy doing it all.
We’re scrabbling too a bit as currently packing to move. Ordered the uniform today though. Shoes and underwear tomorrow.
I’m just never sure how much to size up to allow for growth.

Stopping by to wave hello, and off to buy some more labels!

The difference between my son and daughter regarding what they took with them…
DD - fairy lights, photos, picture frame, cushions, a fluffy stool she has, and blankets.
DS - Mattress topper.

houselikedashed, hehe, DD wants fairy lights.

Can I join? I was thinking of starting a thread anyway so thanks @TheWomanTheyCallJayne

My DS 11 is off to state boarding next month. He's the first boarder in our family and chose this route himself (thought I'd mention that before the thread gets attacking by anti-boarders...). We bought his main uniform back in June as it gave him something to get excited about when he was missing all his usual year 6 activities but I've still got basics such as trousers/shirts/socks to get plus the boarding extras such as duvet set, dressing gown, slippers etc to get.

The name tags arrived in the post last week but I'm putting off with the labelling! Any tips?

No antiboarders allowed here. Hello. We all have our reasons and no one owes anyone else an explanation.

DD’s uniform arrived today. We sized up but a lot is still too small. She’s going to have to go really baggy around the waist as she’s inherited my long rise. Mil has offered to sew labels so she can have uniform and I’ll do home clothes. I’m very lucky to have her.
Only tips I have is easy watching tv of an evening and just do some a night. Cake always helps.
Houselikeashed (hlas?) your lists made me laugh as they’ve summed it up here too. Though ds2 hasn’t even bothered with the mattress topper.

None of mine go to BS, but I did.

How are the schools re-opening in Sept?
I suppose in some ways they are better off as they are all in one whole school bubble

Thanks :) My DM has also offered to sew which is brilliant. I've read many (all?) of the previous boarding threads but I still have a question about labels - where is best to put them on various items? Eg on a duvet cover or pillowcase, where is best to locate them? And can towels with hanging loops basically just be towels with a name tape for the loop? Any tips like that much appreciated please

I've noted the thing about mattress toppers in other threads but I'm going to see if DS can cope without for the time being...

@Sparticle school mattresses are very utilitarian - I would definitely get a mattress topper. On the hanging loops, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid actually hang their towel up...

Thanks @MissTheodore - good point about towels! I've got a few little things that I might email the HM about and will add 'mattress topper?' to the list...

@steppemum DS's school is currently planning to reopen and the boarding house will be a bubble, as will the forms in each year I think. But the boarding house is years 7 and 8 so I'm not sure how it's going to work in practice. I'll find out in a few weeks time I guess...

I have always sewn name labels on to make a loop. It is so useful for all clothes.
I vividly remember the end of summer holidays with my mum sitting and sewing piles of name tapes.

Tip for socks. Double the tape over, and sew the ends together, then just sew that doubles bit on to the sock inside, with the sew line vertical. Then the stretchiness of the sock doesn't matter.

best location for sheets etc is on one corner, where the label is. Easy to find. If pillow case labels and duvet cover labels are too far in, then along the opening edge just inside.

Hello, I've come across your post and thought I'd join in. I am a first-timer at Mumsnet as I have been scouring the internet looking for tips/ advice for my DS going to boarding school this September. None of our family members has boarded, we are a little clueless and I want to make the transition as simple as possible. I'm picking up tips as I go and chats like this very helpful.

Also, I am very much able to change my mind every minute of the day about sending him/not sending him; as I know I will miss him terribly. I am worried I will not go through with it

Does your school have a school uniform shop? I bought all DS's socks through the shop, as they name everything when purchased, and they're on his bed when he gets to school. Other than that, make sure he uses his net laundry bag to put his underwear in the wash.

Thanks steppemum - those are really helpful tips. I'll either get cake or wine to help me get them sewn in the next couple of weeks...

Welcome @CallMeLou - to both the mighty MN and this thread! I've found nearly all my boarding advice from here (been a long-time member) as there doesn't seem to be much else out there really. how old is your DS? Will he be weekly or full boarding?

Ah yes, I need to add laundry bag to the list, thanks for the reminder 1805.

It is okay to contact the HM in advance of term do you think? I have a few school-specific questions to ask eg what type of luggage DS needs (have read on here about trunks v big laundry bags due to storage at school), and at the new boarders zoom call they had a few weeks ago, the HM mentioned getting a tuck box this year but I think they have lockers so I want o ask if a cake tine will suffice (stuffed with brownies obv).

Argh typos

Sparticle- big name tapes sewn half way along long side of towel makes good hook? Also, many schools tell you just where they want name tapes sewn on each item?

Have you been given name tapes, or can you buy your own sort? I like the large type ones best for blazers, bedding and sports kit.

Most of our bedding now has our surname either sewn or marker penned onto it!

I’ve bought them from cash’s already but just the regular size. Love the idea of embroidering our surname into the bedding though - my DM embroidered my name beautifully my school PE skirt and lab coat and I bet she’d be happy to do the same for things like that.

And no we haven’t been told where to put the tapes by school but I can see that would help...

Uniform and labels ordered. Can't decide whether to get the school's bedding pack, or something from the Swedish blue & yellow firm.

@Sparticle

It is okay to contact the HM in advance of term do you think?

Yes but they may be a bit slow to get back to you. At our school those are the kinds of questions that would be dealt with by the matron, not the HM so might be worth emailing her as well/instead.