[mim1881]

I'm not sure if anyone else will have been in this situation, but I just wanted to get some ideas and opinions.
We are moving back to London in about 6 months time. My husband is English, I'm Australian. My DH was sent to Ludgrove School in England as a child when he was 8y.o....as was his father, grandfather etc. It's a boarding school in the country (County Berkshire). Our DS is 7 years old at the moment and has had his name down at the school since birth near enough. When we move back he is expected to take up his place there in the 2010/11 school year. DS has known he was going for quite some time and is quite excited and curious about the idea. If he goes he will also go onto board once in high school too.
None else I know is in this situation. There is one school in Australia I know of that has a school similar (Tudor House) but I don't know ANYONE else in this situation. DH and I have spoken at great lengths about it, and whilst I'm fine with DS going (well as much as a mother can be sending her son away to school) I am anxious for him and for myself, what to expect etc. He will only be home every other weekend and holidays although we can see him at school whenever. It's difficult as we are not in the UK yet so not as easy to get in touch with other parents to talk to them.
I think it will be harder for me to send him that for him to go and just be home with DD5, but it still is an anxious time.

Any advice, tips or experiences???

[annasue]

If his father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all put in prison at 8 yrs old would that mean your son should be too !

Tradition doesn't have to be carried on just because "it's the way it's done".

He is still a little boy ......................I went to boarding school, but I was in year 11 so 8 years older ........watching the 12 / 13 year olds in year 7 struggle with it there's no way I'd send a child before highschool age at least.

Anyway good luck ! I'm sure if you contacted the school by email they would be able to put you in contact with other parents.

[ambwrose]

There are other schools in Oz that take boarders in primary school. My nieces and nephews all started boarding from grade 1, at their local catholic school( 1 hrs drive away and no bus). I also have friends who sent their kids from grade 6. I think it is more common in the country than the city.
Here the parents are allowed to contact the kids any time and family and friends are allowed to visit and take them out.
The people I know seemed to enjoy it. The school has to have the right staff, for the kids to be happy.

[JRA]

I would send a child to boarding school if I needed to.

I doubt I would send an 8yo though. If I needed to send them away for boarding school at that age I would do school of the air or something.

But people do.

That is you choice.

Good luck to him and you.

Perhaps talk to you DH's mother as she obviously was a parent who did, until you can get in touch with others who do nowadays. As others have said, I am sure the kids actually love it most of the time

This post has been edited by JRA: 08/11/2009, 06:43 PM

[crankybee]

I worked in a boarding school in Scotland for primary aged kids...they got excellent care and all seemed very independent and happy!

[Dani]

Cold day in hell before I shipped my kid off for boarding school. Didn't wait 30 years to become a Mum to not live with them.

Tell your husband a break with tradition is about to happen - and stick to your guns.

[mummytomany]

Wow, huge thing to do.

I have an almost 8 year old and there is no way i'd send her off to boarding school, but then I don't even let her have sleep overs so maybe i'm strange lol

I'd definitely be contacting the school and asking for contact details of other young kids who will be boarding there.

Good luck

[SeaKitten]

Gosh I am sad to have send my DS1 off to boarding school next year and he will be turning 14. Can not imagine having to send an 8 year old off. Who knows maybe he will love it.

[~Sorceress~]

My sister did her gap year at a boarding school in Dorset and said that most of the little girls loved it . I think it's harder on the parents, and I'd seriously investigate keeping him as a day student until high school!

[mim1881]

Thanks for the replies ladies. I'm confident he will be well cared for (we have visited the school it seemed lovely) and as ALL the kids board they seem to form very tight friendships. DH's best man at our wedding was a chum from school which was lovely.
Good to hear alot of the kids enjoy it