<p>Whats it like for you when you drop off your son/daughter at boarding school? Whats it like during the year when they are away? Do you wish they had more breaks? Anything else about your experience with your son/daughter at boarding school.
Kind of random but I'm just curious.</p>
<p>It's been a harder adjustment than I thought. I miss my child immensely. Knowing that she is happy and doing well and in a place where she feels comfortable, makes me willing to make the sacrifice - but it is a sacrifice.
After each break, I find I need to adjust all over again!</p>
<p>I:
felt mortal
cried in the grocery store when I saw her favorite food on the shelf
cried in the car whenever I drove away
cried when I couldn't help her get ready for winter ball
parked myself smack in the middle of 12 girls and 6 proctors in the dorm on
senior prom night and curled hair, made up faces, blow-dried hair, took photos, and ran out for iced coffees...then drove away crying again once the kids left for the prom! (this was one of the best nights of my life and I highly recommend barging in like this!)
Then just when it seemed like she had just left home for ninth grade, we were at her graduation! :( and :)</p>
<p>My wife asked my son "Now that you have been at BS since September '07, what do you like about it?" His reply, "No parents around."</p>
<p>I was just reading this thread about parents having to deal with sending kids off and being alone and stuff......
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/387993-so-sad.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-admissions/387993-so-sad.html</a></p>
<p>I feel bad for my mom now,lol, I don't now about my father though........</p>
<p>I feel so bad for my mom because she realizes that either way she loses.
If I get in- She'll be alone.
If I don't get in- I'll be with her except I'll be miserable.</p>
<p>I hope this doesn't sound selfish, but I have to do what is best for my future, and that's boarding school.</p>
<p>We thought we had one year left with both S&D in house, and three years left with D. Now everything might change - S is going abroad with AFS for senior year and D may be going to BS depending on what happens 3/10...we are reeling with this possibility. Early empty nesters with no money.</p>
<p>Drop-off day went like this: There were so many activities, settling into the dorm, opening a bank account, plus attending the scheduled events that were carefully designed to surreptitiously wean the child away from the parents, that there was no time to get emotional. Older students were on hand to create a boisterous welcome. The atmosphere was more akin to the start of summer camp than the start of school.
Months before Drop-off day the Dean of Admissions shared this anecdote with the parents: It had been two weeks into school and the Dean noticed a mother of one of the new students frequently on campus. When the Dean approached, the mother would turn abruptly in the opposite direction, so the Dean asked the student, "Is there something I should know about your Mom?" The reply was, "Well, she got her plane ticket to return home but somehow she keeps missing her flights and is now residing at the Inn on campus." The school called the father, made sure Mom got a new plane ticket, and escorted her to the airport. In the end all was well.</p>
<p>That's very funny!</p>
<p>lol, hahahaha
Oh geez, I'm gonna miss my mom, I never thought about weather or not she'll miss me.
I feel giulty now.:(</p>
<p>Im sure she will not want you to.....cheer up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>You're right.
I gotta SHAKE IT OFF!!!
(odd, jerky movements)</p>
<p>Well, it is different for every parent, but I think the drop off day is designed by the school to be kind of a race. You will never get him/her totally "settled" in before it is time for you to be on your way. Like others said, there are so many activities for you and them that day, the goodbyes are usually pretty quick. As far as what it is like for the parents, your grocery bill goes down a lot. You seem to suddenly have more money in your wallet because you aren't giving out 10 and 20 dollars here and there. </p>
<p>But seriously, if you are a mature parent, you realize it is the beginning of rediscovering yourself and your hobbies, goals, and reviving some friendships that have floundered along the wayside in the past few years. When your son/daughter comes home, don't be surprised when at first they seem so thrilled to be back with their closest friends from home and of course family, by the time Christmas break arrives, you will see a definite change. They love to see their "old" friends, but the bonds they have developed at BS makes them really miss their BS friends by the time break is over. They are almost eager to go back to school. They are with those BS friends 24/7 and the friendships are very tight.</p>
<p>My mom changes her mind about wanting me to go to boarding school or not. She knows I would be really happy, and we had a much better relationship when I went to PASS this summer, but I'd still be leaving four years earlier than she'd originally had. She still has my twin sister, though, so she wouldn't be completely lost without me hahah. Boarding school has a TON of breaks, though, so it looks like I'd be coming home every month or two.</p>
<p>If I go I plan on coming home at least once a month for the weekend. </p>
<p>Everyone says that once you get there you don't want to leave, but I don't think it's ok to leave and only see your friends and family at thanksgiving</p>
<p>my mom will be fine, my dad I'm not so sure</p>
<p>Baseballmom: Looking back, do you think boarding school was the right decision or would you keep your child home if you could do it over?</p>
<p>My son comes home almost every w/e. Sometimes he will stay a few w/e's in a row, but he does like to come home. He has one really good friend...like a brother really....that I know he will always maintain close contact with. This friend has even spent a couple of nights at the bs. He also does play club soccer on the w/e's, so that is part of the reason for coming home as well.
My older son did the same; coming home most w/e's as a freshman and sophomore. He became and RA as a junior and a student leader as a senior, so couldn't come home anymore. I imagine my younger son will follow a similar pattern.
I miss my son a lot. I sent my middle child to college and my youngest to bs this year....empty nester's all at once. The change in him is amazing though. Our public school was sucking the love of learning out of him completely. He is back to his old self and is excited about his classes.</p>