Leaving Home at 8 (Channel 4 tomorrow at 9 pm)...

East lancs mumof4 · Post by **East lancs mumof4** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:47 pm

Two years

That's a bit harsh!
Twice a week Tipsy? Do you live near DS's school then? Or should I have said did you, since you are/have moved?

sherry_d · Post by **sherry_d** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:53 pm

I am sure this one will be shown in bad light as they are only 8years old. It wouldnt make exciting TV if its all good. I am pro boarding but 8 seems a little bit young unless there are circumstances like parents moving around etc

We shall see, cant wait.

T.i.p.s.y · Post by **T.i.p.s.y** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:54 pm

The school is 60-70 miles away and I would drive down for matches each Wednesday and pick them up at the weekends. Not a chore as I don't work and with my driving it takes me 45 mins!

T.i.p.s.y · Post by **T.i.p.s.y** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:59 pm

Mine were 7 when they started to board. The eldest boarded for a term and then we moved to the area and he became a day boy. He then boarded a year later and has loved it. The youngest boarded the last term of Yr2

because he begged and begged me. He has boarded for 2 years now but will be a day boy at DC because I don't want him to board. I imagine he will board again within a year because he just loves boarding as there is so much to do.

sherry_d · Post by **sherry_d** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:08 pm

Tipsy April's mum reminded me of you

in the field with a puppy and I remembered you and your new puppy. Is it some secret to copying???? LOL

It was a fairly balanced program but I felt April's mum made it hard for her DD to settle. All those tears in front of her DD, I felt like screaming saying behind closed doors woman. Surely if she has decided boarding was right then crying in front of your DD makes it like a sad exprience and I really think her emotions played a part in April taking longer to settle.

And Lotti's brother just so loved boarding. He was just full of energy and really is having a great time. I am sure that helped her sister settle quickly too.

Ed's mum · Post by **Ed's mum** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:12 pm

DD and I just watched it together. I think I had tears in my eyes for most of the programme (what a softie!) Daughter now loves the idea of boarding, although she was totally unable to do even one night sleepovers at her best friend's at the age of 8.

I thought it was probably a fairly unbiased account, although I did worry at the beginning that they were alluding to the child being too immature to board (with the one who thought the rocking horse had a real horse inside it!)

T.i.p.s.y · Post by **T.i.p.s.y** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:51 pm

Still watching as OH insisted on watching Silent Witness so I'm +1ing. April's mum is making it a nightmare for her daughter to settle. Cardinal rule of boarding: Big it up and never look down or worried about the process AND never cry in front of your child!

hopeforthebest · Post by **hopeforthebest** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:17 am

I liked the program, it was an unbiased view I think.

katel · Post by **katel** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:37 am

It's important to remember that it it perfectly possible for children to have a really good time doing something that is damaging and unhealthy for them.

pheasantchick · Post by **pheasantchick** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:52 am

Found the programme fascinating. Before watching the prgramme, my view was definteily 8 is too young. However, I can appreciate how the army families wanted to provide stability for their daughters.

Also, I must admit, I was initially a bit surprised by a male house teacher for new female boarders.

The range of activites etc made it look a fun place to be. Also surprised at how much contact parents did have with the children. My only experience of boarding school are Mallory Towers and St . Clares - a slightly different impression.

Overall, would I send my child at 8 to boarding school if I had the means? The answer is still a definitely NO but p'haps I can appreciate a little more why people do board, but p'haps it's better at a later age (when they become horrible moody teenagers!).