Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Beth has started boarding school
Well yesterday was the day that we set off for Stamford High School for Girls. A car full of bags and coat hangers full of neatly pressed uniform. Beth has started her new school. She seemed in good form when we left so hopefully she will settle in quickly. She has only got a 2 week stretch to push before bank holiday weekend and then she will be home. Didn't think I would miss her so much already :-(
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5 comments:
I know exactly how you're feeling. And you can also expect to feel guilty about whether or not you have done the right thing, especially if Beth gets a bit homesick. I think these are all normal felings to have; I can remember when our first child started boarding school I felt like my right arm had been cut off. But several postings later he has had the stability of a single school and takes his GCSEs in the next few weeks and is looking at achieving 9, possibly 11, at A*. He may well have achieved that moving schools every 2 years but I seriously doubt it. I now have 2 children in boarding school and both are very contented and independent lads. Yes, they still get in to bother like any kid their age (and I would be concerned if they didn't) but I believe it was the right decision for us all. Our 3rd child starts in September and that will be a real change for us - no kids at all in the house.
I did feel today that I had made the wrong decision and then when i had the phone call with her in tears wanting to come home i felt horrible but I know she will be better off and have a far better education in the long run bearing in mind she is now on her 5th school and still not 12 yet!
Yes the first few days are tough; Beth is going through the process of making new friends in a strange environment without all the usual, familiar and friendly support mechanisms she is used to being on hand to help (ie Mum & Dad). It usually only takes a few days, and one or two friends to turn this around though. Weekends are the best time for the kids to make friends and integrate into the school social circle so my advice would be to resist taking her out of school at weekends unnecessarily; it's only one weekend to the bank holiday and hopefully things will have improved by then. Am happy to chat through my experiences if you want to give me a call on 93844 2077.
Daz, I totally know what you're both going thru bud. My lads started when they were 8 and 10. They are now 15 and 17 (nearly) and it has turned out to be the best decision we ever made, but definitely the hardest. Like Turbo said, once she makes those friendships she will settle right in. Before you know it she will be asking to stay at a friends house for exeat!
In the early days, there were plenty of times where we sat in the car after dropping my boys off and said 'what are we doing?'. We struggled with the separation more than them! Trust the school, they know how to deal with homesick kids, ALL kids go through it. If I could offer one 'top tip' it would be to try not to linger when dropping her off...quick goodbyes seemed to be the best for all concerned, as soon as you are out of the school, she will be meeting up with her mates and getting up to mischief no matter how upset she may seem initially. Stick with it mate, she will thaink you for it eventually.
Well said Mal. Last time i saw Beth afte dropping JJ off, she was sneaking those sandwiches off the table in the hall!
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