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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My child is in middle school and will very likely be accepted to Andover boarding school. My dh is all for it as he graduated from there. I am very reluctant to send my child to a boarding school. Separating from them once they go to college will be hard enough; why accelerate the inevitable separation?

I know it is a wonderful school and had a huge impact on my dh during his formative years. My upbringing was very different and my parents would never have considered sending us away to school because they wanted us close during those impressionable teen years. My family is very close to this day .

Any feedback from parents? Even sending them for a year or two is hard for me.the thought makes me want to quit my job and move with my child to a nearby city to ensure I am close if they need me.[/quote]

I know it can be really hard.  A lot of parents say that they actually have fairly close relationships with their kids who are at boarding school because there's not the "familiarity breeds contempt" that goes on with a teenager living with you!  Quality time on vacations, long weekends, coming up to see a game or performance, in the summer.  Boarding schools have very generous breaks (very long at Christmas, for example).

Also, I've also heard from parents who currently have kids at boarding school that with Skype/Facetime, they feel pretty connected on a day to day basis.  What about sitting down as a family and explaining that this is hard for you, but you know your child is excited for it and you want to support his/her dream, but you really want to make sure that you are committed as a family to staying in touch and want to make sure to set up Skype/Facetime appointments, etc.

I used to teach at a boarding school and there was a lot of warmth and nurturing -- Andover is bigger, so there's less of the "family feel" of some of the smaller schools, but there will be a LOT of support for your child.  I think if you can get your head around it you will be glad you gave your child the freedom, but your feelings are important too and I think it's important for your husband and child to know them.

Good luck to you.[/quote]

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