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Education

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Original poster

2021 Boarding Parents thread

100 replies

soonishsoonish · 08/03/2021 15:12

I don’t think There’s a thread yet and after following the thread for 2020 parents I thought it might be good to have one for 2021 boarding parent.
My eldest DS13 will full board in senior school from Sept. His school is full boarding, pretest in year 6 but we’ve only now received all final documentation and forms to fill etc, it all seems real now. Any one in a similar position? DS is very excited, not sure how I feel just yet though lol

OP posts:

Mummy194 · 19/07/2021 18:05

It just occurred to me that the next 2 months will go very fast indeed.

My head hurt a bit with all the paperwork we had to fill in. For some reason I was flustered with filling in the medical info and measuring DS for uniform, knowing he he quickly grows. Then there were all the choices to make for subjects, music, extra curricular etc.

I am now looking at all the other things to pack for him. The wardrobes seem so small. DC all have around 10 school shirts- especially for daily sweaty summer changes (I'm just used to this, as my parents had similar for us as DC). I am not suggesting 10 Shirts, of course, but how many are suitable?
For weekend clothes, I am not too concerned, as DS does not seem to wear that much variety here at home, and there will be a whole week for them to get washed.

As a first time boarding parent, I just know I will overcompensate and over pack for sure. The school also has a one suitcase rule, but I suspect I will bring more than one and take it back with me.

ParentAngel01 · 21/07/2021 10:22

Hi all,
Any idea where I can buy a Fire retardant duvet and topper?

Mummy194 · 21/07/2021 10:52

@ParentAngel01

I found the Eve mattress topper very comfortable.

Not sure about fire retardant for their duvet. Nor for their pillows - which are also very comfortable. M&S or John Lewis should be able to cover you for those.

negrilbaby · 24/07/2021 11:50

@Mummy194 we have been told specifically how much of each item to pack, even down to 6 pairs of pants and 6 pairs of socks! The laundry has a two day turnaround (so much better than he's had here at home!) so I am assuming it is so the boys don't stock up their dirty washing.

negrilbaby · 24/07/2021 11:51

Can anyone advise where to buy casula clothes that will withstand tumble drying. Nearly all of DS's clothes say do not tumble dry.

BillyRaywasapreachersson · 24/07/2021 11:54

Mummy194 to free up space in dd's tiny wardrobe, I used ring pulls - you can then layer hangers vertically, rather than all on the rail. I'm sure there are actual things you can buy but it was a very quick solution on arrival when trying to squash it all in!

SarahBeenysBikerJacket · 24/07/2021 12:05

@negrilbaby we find superdry and hollister are good for casuals, wash well and survive the school laundry with no problems. Size XS fitted both DSs from age 11.

negrilbaby · 25/07/2021 22:32

@SarahBeenysBikerJacket - thank you. I have now found hoodies and t-shirts that will withstand tumble drying - and are acceptable to DS!!

Thingaling · 31/07/2021 23:18

I have a question about phonecards! School does not allow mobiles but it has some payphones the children can use to phone home. What’s the best phonecard to get so DS can call my mobile (UK)?

CornflowersInTheLongGrass · 01/08/2021 09:33

@Thingaling

I have a question about phonecards! School does not allow mobiles but it has some payphones the children can use to phone home. What’s the best phonecard to get so DS can call my mobile (UK)?

I would ask the school. Are you sure they don't accept "brick" phones with no access to the internet?

Thingaling · 01/08/2021 10:54

@CornflowersInTheLongGrass

Positive, no phones, smartwatches, ipads at all.

Also, the new joiners guide has just arrived: it tells children they can use phonecards and the payphones to ring home, and they should ask their parents for a phonecard….but I have not even seen a phone card since 2003.

Mummy194 · 06/08/2021 18:14

Thanks so much @BillyRaywasapreachersson about the hanger idea. I really never thought about it. Never went to Amazon so fast.

@negrilbaby
Our list says 12 boxers (seems quite a lot.lol).

I have to say, I was very confused about sizing. I think it has something to do with Layerplayer ,Canterbury and all these different shops having different ways of sizing. In the end, I had to put together the measurements and current uniform sizes together to come up with something. Turned out not to be as straightforward as I expected. Previous years experience meant I had to take a half size or so bigger, as DC have a habit of shooting up massively over the summer.

Sorry @Thingaling, I too have not seen a phonecard since my own student days. For our DS, they are allowed their phones during certain hours in a day to call home etc. Do they not allow you to make calls to your DS at all? What are the communication guidelines in general?

Thingaling · 14/08/2021 11:41

@Mummy194
Parents can’t call children (unless it’s an emergency and you go through the headmaster) but children can (at certain times of day) either use Skype from the computer room if it’s open and not being used, or use a phone card from one of the pay phones.

Original poster

soonishsoonish · 16/08/2021 07:18

Exactly 3weeks and some change to go and I think I have finally cracked. Up to now I have been very practical about things. We started early and I think we have bought almost everything. I finished the labelling yesterday and just as I was folding the things up I burst out crying. I dont know where it came from tbh. DS wasnt to see me but DH was and I think he was sad too. Obviously I will see him often and we are very sure that this is the right thing for him but my God will I miss him.

OP posts:

Darbishire27 · 18/08/2021 11:02

@soonishsoonish sorry to hear this has become harder for you as the date approaches. But well done for getting the practical stuff done in good time. This means at least you won't be contending with the stress of packing lists and stitching labels whilst managing the emotional ground rush. I'm a five-year veteran of this now (five more to go) and recognise completely what you describe. For what it's worth, I'd say better for your DS not to see you in distress, but equally do let him see and understand that it is painful and you are only doing it because you believe it is in his interests. If you don't already possess the art of writing frequent letters even when you haven't much news, start cultivating this- phone calls can be wonderful but they aren't always if you get emotional, because the calls are often time-pressured- regular and frequent letters are a treasure trove your DS can go back to again and again if feeling homesick. I've seen this when unpacking at the end of each summer term- shoes, duvets, games and kit all get lost but the cards and letters are so clearly kept safe. The next three weeks are hard, but you are going about it really well. Be kind to yourself too

negrilbaby · 18/08/2021 15:29

It hits me in waves. DS is my main dog walking companion and I will really miss our evening walks, where we put the world to rights!

Then the boring, mundane stuff reappears ! ...how do I attach name tags to socks? Has anyone found any decent iron-on labels that can be stuck on the sole?

Darbishire27 · 18/08/2021 18:27

@negrilbaby Socks are the worst! Sew them at the inside back, perpendicular to the top. This means they are easy to identify after they've been through the laundry and paired off. DC will still lose half however and bring home everyone else's.

thingaling · 18/08/2021 19:01

DS’ school says labels have to go vertically at right angles to the top edge of the sock, on the inside

Original poster

soonishsoonish · 19/08/2021 08:55

@thingaling

DS’ school says labels have to go vertically at right angles to the top edge of the sock, on the inside

This what I did for the shocks as well.

OP posts:

Original poster

soonishsoonish · 19/08/2021 08:58

Thank you@Darbishire27. Your post is very reassuring. I needed that!

OP posts:

thingaling · 19/08/2021 11:07

@soonishsoonish

I feel the same, I’ve just been sewing name tapes like mad and Amazoning to get all that done but there’s nothing much left to do now and I’m faced with the reality that he’s going 😢

negrilbaby · 30/08/2021 20:52

So - I managed to sew the sock labels in!

The countdown has begun. DS is off on Friday! Only 4 more sleeps

Darbishire27 · 05/09/2021 18:45

How is everyone doing?

thingaling · 05/09/2021 20:14

three days left :(

negrilbaby · 06/09/2021 06:46

I have survived. The drop off day was managed really well. DS wandered off to tea with barely a backward glance.

Missing him badly now though

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