Wrong school choice year 7?

[starlilly88]

We had the luxury of a choice of 3 private schools for my DD and eventually chose the one that was best for location and parents there were very happy with it. My heart was always with the other two so it was a hard decision. Can't help thinking we made the wrong decision, even though it was the most sensible.

Not sure we could change now, with all the classes set up and DD happy to go there. Although she would have been equally happy to go to the others

How do I know we've made the right choice?

You don't. You can't clone your DC so you have no idea whether she would have done better at another school. In fact, it might not be a case of "better" anyway - just "different". And there are so many factors not related to the school anyway which will influence how she finds her time there e.g. friendship groups.

All you can do is be encouraging about the school that DC is going to and if she enjoys her time there school and does well (which will depend on her abilities and interest) then the school was a good choice.

Thanks. I know she would be equally happy at both but one suits her more. I like the one we have chosen but I'm already wondering whether the other would be better. I know it's a first world decision but when you're paying a lot, just want to make sure it's the right one!

You are at the second guessing stage, you have made the choice it's getting close, but she's not yet starter so you are over thinking this. You made the choice for good reasons trust the choice you made and let her start. It is airways possible to move later whatever you have been told there is shifting later.

Paying will not guarantee happiness, happiness is not a commodity, you need to be aware if this before she starts or you will before even questioning your decisions. It will depend on many more things - the friendship groups she ends up with, her own personality, how she gets on which teachers - same as any school or job anywhere, there are no guarantees but you will see her through whatever issues are bound to arise.

You never really know what a school is like until you try it. But a school is not a life sentence! Is it doesn't work out, she can change. People move schools all the time, it's no big deal. No need to feel locked in.

@Lonecatwithkitten you are right, I'm definitely at the second guessing stage! And she will be happy at either. It was such a hard decision in the first place, 50/50, which is why I'm second guessing.

@starlilly88 I think you must prepare yourself realistically that just as she might be happy at either, the reverse might be true. This is a difficult stage of life for all children and things beyond your control, which you cannot pay to remove, are going to happen, as they do to all teens. Instead of worrying about if a particular school is perfectly ‘right’ for her (impossible) perhaps spend the time reading up on teenagers, mental health etc and arm yourself for the reality ahead.

@starlilly88 gosh you have described exactly how I am feeling! Thank you @Lonecatwithkitten for reassuring me that this is part of the process and is normal.

Roll on September when my DS can finally start and hopefully I will stop all this over thinking!