My Teen Daughter Is In Boarding School And It's Great... (I'm almost ashamed to say).

[Bathsheba]

When I was 15yo my stepfather always threatened to send me to boarding school... until I said that I wanted to go... then he stopped.

When I was in my early 20's and starting to make up my mind about where i stand on various parenting issues I decided that i would never send my child to boarding school. I thought that it was a cop out and wrong for them to be so distant from your sphere of influence and protection.

Well as is always the way, every notion i have about parenting from those days has been challenged... it started when i swore i would never become a "boring" friend who never wanted to go out and party just because i had kids... of course never factored in the degree of tiredness i would feel so that was the first thing to fly out the window!

And now my ideas on boarding school have been challenged. We basically sent our DD to an interstate boarding school because of many unsafe decsions she was making here in melbourne. The worst of which was chronic night escapes and roaming all over melbourne at night. The second was a very worrying relationship with a boyfriend (known to police, introduced her to drugs etc... long story... all in another thread.)

So.. it's going very well. She is loving it She has strict routines to abide by but she is adapting really well.

have to do the school run now but will be back to add...

[Rouge]

That is so awesome Bath You did such a wonderful thing, be proud xxx

[BellyBelly]

I know of someone who went to boarding school and was very happy with the experience, has many lifelong friends and is very well mannered. You had a tough decision to make, and I am glad it's turned out well in the aftermath!

[feeb]

I am glad to hear your DD is settling into her new school.

[Fleur]

Don't be ashamed! I love Panda to pieces, but there are many days where boarding school would be very tempting.
I'm so glad this is working out for all of you. It must be such a relief for you to know she's safe, and it's great to hear that she is adapting so well.

[Cupcake]

Thats awesome! Definately subscribing. My sister is a.. ahh 'troublesome' teen (just turned 13) might be something mum is interested in?

[Mum2SweetCs]

Bath, Im pretty sure it was a very hard decision to make being so far from the DD you love dearly.

Hearing that she is loving it there must be music to your ears! Glad it is turning out great and hopefully she has some time to reflect on how much stress she has caused her parents.

DH was sent away due to his bad habits/friends as well and had alot of reflection to do. Best things his parents ever did because he did alot of growing up during that time and was a changed man.

[Cocolove]

Its great she is loving it..sounds like you made the right choice hun.

I was looking at boarding schools the other day for when the kids are in high school but my cup of tea almost hit the computer screen when I seen the fees LOL

[didispunk]

Well done.. all kids are different...

Fantastic she is doing great!!

[AnyDream]

Well as a boarding school survivor, I can definitely say that I would contemplate it under the right (extreme) circumstances. I'm so glad to hear your DD is loving it, I hope she is able to thrive long term too.

It sounds like your DD was pretty much "out of your sphere of influence and protection" courtesy of the company she was keeping, so a very good idea IMO to make a clean break. I"m sure it wasn't an easy decision for you . Perhaps she will appreciate "home" more too when she returns, rather than taking it (tediously) for granted, kwim? It will be interesting to see whether she relates to you differently once she has spent a little more time outside the nest.

[jaspen]

Bath that is great that DD is returning to her old self and enjoying the experiences of the new school and in turn bringing you some ease and less worry. And you are so right there many things in life that we say - "oh no I'll never...." but when we actually grow and learn and experience life our ideas become open to change.

[Pandora]

How did she go last term Bath did sher school result reflect the change in attitude you've seen?

[Bathsheba]

We are yet to receive her actual report but a verbal report (regarding her grades) from the year level co-ordinator (over the phone) said that she passed everything and "exceeded expectations based on her academic history ie her previous school reports). So we have reason to believe that she has re-engaged with the learning process and is well and truly back on track It seems to have helped that NSW seems to be a bit behind Victoria in the curriculumn... in the areas that DD was weakest at anyhow.


ETA: Pandora you must be psychic! We just received her report in the mail!!! And Oh My what a difference to her last 3 -4 reports!!! I am SO PROUD! EVERY teacher basically said that DD is a valuable addition to the class/ a pleasure to teach ( ) and a QUIET conscientious student!!! A total turnaround from her previous "Distracting influence/ lazy/ disengaged" comments from previous reports! Now i know i know all this could change as her new school becomes her comfort zone... but I suspect all this has coincided with a greater maturity and that she might be careful not to damage her new reputation. Oh please let this be true!

Can't wait to show DH! And to gush to DD when i call her tonight!

[Fleur]

Wonderful news Bath
So very happy for you that things are going so well.

[Pandora]

Thats awesome Bath. Im really happy for all of you.
I was going to ask if you were allowed to call her but obviously you are from the last line of your post.

[Bathsheba]

We've just finished talking to her! She has her mobile phone and she is allowed to use it until 9.30pm every night. Her report included a Dormitory Behaviour component too... Respect for co-boarders, respect for her environment, abiding by rules such as lights out, mobile phone usage, respectful language, and overall level of being able to get along with others. She got the highest possible mark for every criteria of her boarding behaviour plus a lovely comment about how polite, friendly and considerate she is by the boarding mistress. I am one proud mumma! And yes, DH and I GUSHED.

[feeb]

Awesome news!!!!!!!!