Preparing for boarding school is a big step for parents and children. As parents, it is important to support any worries your children may have and ensure this new chapter in their life is exciting and fun. A new experience may give rise to anxiety, so there are a few things you can do to prepare them and improve their chances for success.

Do Your Research

After choosing which boarding school is perfect for your child, look into their website. This is a great resource for finding a list of extracurriculars, handbooks, and activities that the school has to offer. Letting your child know about all of these exciting opportunities can help curb their nerves and instead make them excited about this new experience.

Discuss it

Talk to your child about how they’re feeling about being away from home. They may express anxiety, fear, or excitement, but whatever it is, let them know all their feelings are valid and normal. Creating a list of things they’re excited about and what they are fearful of may help them deal with those emotions. Help them to understand why they may be feeling this way and strategies to cope with any of their concerns.

Be Positive

It is okay for parents to be equally as nervous about boarding school as their child is. If you are struggling with the idea of them leaving home, try your best to be positive and show enthusiasm when speaking to your child about it. Showing feelings of anxiety may make your child feel anxious as well, as they put all f their trust in you. Reassure them of all the positive things they’re going to experience and that you will always be there for them.

Be Organized

One way to get them excited is to involve them in the process of preparing for the send-off. The boarding school may have provided you with a list of things you should and should avoid bringing. Work with them to figure out and plan what they will need.

Packing – A Place Like Home

Encourage them to bring photos and other items that remind them of home. This will make them more comfortable in a new space as they can turn to something they love when they need comfort. Suggest bringing their favourite stuffed animal or different art pieces that might provide relief when they’re away from home.

Keeping in touch

Children typically feel homesick when away for long periods of time, and this is normal. Let them know that it is okay to feel this way and that you are just a letter, email, or phone call away. Arrange a plan to keep in contact so that they know you will always be there for them, even if it is not physically.

Promote Healthy Habits

Have a conversation with your child about strategies they can implement at boarding school to support their learning while still living a healthy life (being active, balancing work-life, sleep, eating, etc.). You can teach them to prepare nutritious snacks and how to manage their study time. Reassure them that the school will also help with this; however, being proactive can help unload the stress when they actually arrive at the school, as they will already know what to do.

Encourage Independence

Away from home, your child will be responsible for their own organization and belongings. This brings a lot of responsibility to the child, maybe for the first time in their lives. Sit down with them and make a list of things they are taking with them so that they can keep track if needed, label their belongings and find out what they will now need to do independently. Allow them to practice these at home, so they know how to at boarding school.

Familiarity

In some boarding schools, parents are able to reach out to other new parents for tips and advice. Consider reaching out to other parents and encourage a meet-up with a few other new boys and girls who will be starting at the school. Children may find comfort in seeing friendly faces, which makes them feel more excited and confident about their first day.

Ask For Help

This is a new experience for you as well! Don’t be afraid to reach out to other parents, or the school, who are experts in preparing children for boarding school. They may provide helpful advice on what to pack, uniforms, how to help children cope, how to help you cope, etc.

Be Ready for Tough Times

Every child will encounter problems at school, whether that be stress with schoolwork, friendship problems, being homesick, physically sick, etc. Since you’re not able to see them every day, they can be harder to recognize. Check in on them every once in a while. Also, find the support that the boarding school offers. Talk to them in advance that the negative feelings are nothing to be ashamed about and that asking for help in tough times is okay.

Goodbyes

Once you have arrived at the school, taken the tour and are greeted by new faces, it is time to say your goodbyes. Although it is a difficult time, the quicker the goodbye, the easier it may be on the child (and you!) You don’t want to linger and make them sad about being at school. See this in a positive light! Let them know again that this new place is exciting, full of new opportunities and new friends. Remind them of your plans to stay in touch and that you will always be there.