Wednesday night, sending your child, aged 8 to boarding school, do tell me about it as i won't be able to watch!!!

[piratecat]

I couldn't even watch the trailer for it without wanting to weep!

(me too i was NAO)

I haven't read all this thread but NFMDC posting resonated so true for.

I wa sent away at nine. I was lonely and unhappy and were many of the girls around. We all had various hang-ups issues - bulimia particularly common.

As NFMDC says it is about parents putting their career and their lifestyle (my mum didn't want to be alone on her own bringing up two children).

I wouldn't even speak to them durign term ime as the were based in Nigeria.

It has all come more poignent to me since having children myself and having friends with 9yo children. It's just to young!

I'm very shocked to learn of the negative consequences that have arisen from boarding. I do think boarding schools were tougher 30+ years ago. My father attended a very strict private boarding school in the late 50's as a day pupil. Although he recalls his time there in the most positive sense, I doubt he would rate a boarder's experience so highly. If either my brother or I were misbehaving he would threaten to "pack us away to boarding school" At the time, I thought this was the worst possible punishment any parent/s could inflict on their children.
At age 11 I attended a private boarding school, again as a day pupil-this was in the early 90's. I remember the boarders saying their goodbyes, and it was for some girls very upsetting and tearful.
One girl in particular was inconsolable that day, and I still remember my mother saying "that poor, poor girl was so upset"
Forward a year or so and said girl had soared in confidence, and became the most popular and outgoing of all of us. Infact, those that boarded were, generally more confident, and happier than the day pupils. I boarded for a couple of weeks when a relative was dying and my parents travelled to be there. The experience was great fun, and I enjoyed every minute.
I am still in contact with quite a few that boarded, and none have "issues" with their lives, have exceptionally strong relationships with their parents and siblings and all have had very successful careers. I am secretly quite jealous infact.
I can understand boarding may not be suited to everyone, and that 8 is too young (in my opinion) to be sent away, but nowadays I think the experiences are vastly more positive than those of our elders.

I know this is an old thread but does anyone know what this programme was called and which channel it was on? I'd like to see if I can download it.

Thanks

Cutting Edge, Channel 4, 'Leaving home at 8'.
Think it's still on 4OD.

Thanks 101