Leaving Home at 8 - TV programme Channel 4

lolababy

I would not send my children away . My children are part of my family and Id miss them too much. For some middle /upper classes its a normal process ie, they were sent away and their parents/grandparents. Maybe its frowned upon not do.

vixarooni

I watched it last night. Awful, i thought. The amount of things the parents must miss as their child grows up? The coming home and discussing the day, being tucked in at night. That security that is so important when youre young.

I just wanted to give those children a hug and send them off to their mothers!!

Any

My hubby was sent to boarding schools since the age of 7. His mum didn't want them to go (him and his brother) but father said there is no decent school anywhere near and it is the best option. I believe that mum had spent a fortune on petrol as she went to visit them a lot and pick them up for weekends here and there and holidays.

My hubby says that if we can afford it we will send our kids to boarding school (when we have some) for at least couple of years. He believes it made him the person he is. He had the chance of trying a lot of things he wouldn't otherwise (kill and skin and cook rabbits the school kept - I know!!:eek:) and to get on with anyone who is put in front of him etc etc..

Though he is older generation

roddydogs

What position in the "Army" must they be to be able to afford the fees? Must be well up the ladder

fernliebee

Just watched the programme, and I sobbed my way through it. It was heart breaking. Children are so adaptable and so will get on in a situation as they have no choice. I felt bad that the parents were sending them away for some stability, yet how stable is it coming home at weekends, not having the stability of your mum to tuck you in and kiss you goodnight. Yes the school were doing a good job, but IMO the positives would not outweigh the major negative of effectively losing your child after only 8 years. The relationship they seemed to have seemed akin to that of a uni student and their parent. Way too young IMO.

Heartbreaking seeing April so desperate for cuddles all the time. Also on the other hand such a shame that the resilient Lottie ended up caring for the others, that is a mothers job not the role of an 8 year old girl.

I'm not saying these parents are wrong, as I thought they were all doing it as they genuinely thought it was the best choice for their children, however for me personally I would rather my child went to an average school and stayed at home until 18.

Alikay

roddydogs wrote: »

What position in the "Army" must they be to be able to afford the fees? Must be well up the ladder

I believe any rank gets the benefit - used to be something like 90% of the fees are met and the benefit was taxable. Only applies if the children board even if the school accepts day pupils, so although many of the forces kids attending are just few miles from home they still board.

Some family members took advantage of the scheme and one of their kids has suffered severe mental ill-health for years. I suspect maternal separation had something to do with it, but I'm no psychologist.

Souk08

My mum and I watched it and were talking about it today. I can't think of anything worse personally and Mum said the same. Most of the mums didn't work so when the kids were away just rattled about missing them all day. What's the point in that?

lostinrates

Alikay wrote: »

I believe any rank gets the benefit - used to be something like 90% of the fees are met and the benefit was taxable. Only applies if the children board even if the school accepts day pupils, so although many of the forces kids attending are just few miles from home they still board.
.

Is that still the case? There was a big overhaul not so long ago....and a lot of Independent schools suffered as a result. With shorter tours (of course in war zones now) its more common just the partner in the forces leaves here, so boarding is seen as less essential AIUI. And long term bases have schools I think?

Morgan_Ree

roddydogs wrote: »

What position in the "Army" must they be to be able to afford the fees? Must be well up the ladder

It doesn't matter what rank he is
Everyone in the army has the choice to send their kids to boarding school because something like 80 to 90% of the fees are paid for you
I know this because my dads in the army and I went to boarding school at the age of 13.
I only lasted 2 months though

Bloody hated it!!!

kr15snw

My cousins went to boarding school, but their dad was in the RAF and spent 6 months at a time in one place and then got moved. He lived all over the world and it wasn't fair on the kids. So I agree that boarding school was good for them

But unless you have a reason like that I don't know why you'd do it