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

[Ed's mum]

Looks interesting. Children at boarding school. 9 pm.

Care to join me?

[T.i.p.s.y]

Been there...done it...

Of course I'll be glued!

[sherry_d]

I hope it wont be too biased but of course I will watch it just to see how boarding life has evolved

I am really hoping channel 4 will show a balanced view rather than show the general view that seem to suggest otherwise. Its easy just filming kids moaning about missing home but that doesnt mean they arent enjoying boarding. Boarding really appeals to my daughter, I shall let her watch this one...I am sure it will do one thing, make her even more keener or put her off it completely

[kirsty&boys]

I've noted it down in my diary too. Would love to watch it... though personally I think 13+ is a better start for boarding but then some families have their own circumstances where the child benefit more from boarding...esp.the case where parents are often abroad for work. I know a family whose kids change school every couple of years (in different countries)....

[Ed's mum]

I'm sure it will be fascinating and interesting to hear their individual circumstances/reasons for choosing a boarding school.

[T.i.p.s.y]

I can guarantee that the editing will be dodgy!

[Snowdrops]

I know a family whose kids change school every couple of years (in different countries)....

When we were growing up we lived in foreign countries and we changed schools every three years.

I was offered at one point the chance to go to boarding school but dreaded the thought of it.

I know there are gaps in my education because of my schooling background but I am grateful for the experience given to me by sampling different cultures and schools.

Would I do it all differently if I had the choice of living it all again? No - loved it loved it loved it

[kirsty&boys]

Good to hear that, Snowdrops, that you have enjoyed and benefited from such enriching life experiences. Don't get me wrong, I don't critisize the parents for doing that and I know they will miss them and can't bear the thought of leaving them thousands of miles apart in a boarding school although recently the elder one in mid-teens has started boarding while the parents are still out in the Asia.

Boarding is just another possible option for people who are on constant move or having to travel too far for schooling and I certainly don't think it means the parents love the child any less.

[East lancs mumof4]

Ooo looks interesting...! DD wants to watch it too She wishes her indie (loves it sooo much) was boarding too She used to say that she couldn't think of anything worse than sleeping at school and not being at home! Something tells me she is growing up

[T.i.p.s.y]

I'm sure they'll put a barbaric slant on it and have comments from people who boarded in the spartan days when you got sent off and didn't see your family for 6 months! I know of a gentleman who boarded in the 50's and didn't see his family for 2 years! Thankfully it's twice a week, if not more, nowadays.