Boarding school can sometimes create a distance or rather a void between parent and child relationships.
Adjusting to communicating with your child over the phone, not seeing them everyday and just the anxiety of it all when you think about their well being.
According to Orchids International School, creating a basic foundation with your kids when they are young is important, in doing so you stand better chances of raising independent thinkers and building trust for when they are older.
If you instill the love you have for them at an earlier age, it’s easier for them to be confident even when you’re not around.
However, a Psychotherapist and author Murcus Gottlieb says that it doesn’t matter at what age you send your child to boarding school, it rarely happens that a child can be ready to be separated from their parents. Dr Gottlieb also advised that, how your child feels when they’re at boarding school is entirely depended on you by the simple things you do to show you love, care and still want to see them happy, reassuring them that you have not deserted them.
Top things that can affect your kids in boarding school
- Being homesick.
- Adjusting to meal times and diet.
- Not being able to emotionally and physically connect with your loved ones.
Creating boundaries
Without feeling like you’re breathing down their necks, maintain a safe space for communication so they can feel free to confide in you for everything.
Building trust
Children learn about decision making easy when they know you believe in them to make the right decisions. Show interest in what they do in school, so they can always anticipate the next call with you.
Build a healthy relationship with “ward mothers”
Not to say you’re spying on them, but to keep up with what they’re doing without interfering makes you as a parent sleep better.
Show up
Keep your promises, if you said you’re going to call and you for some reason are busy with something else, send a text!
If it’s a holiday, be the first who comes to pick them up.
Should a chance present itself for a weekend visit, allow them to come home.
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