The ultimate packing list for boarding school has been one of our most popular blog posts since it was first published in early 2017. It’s now 2022, and things are always changing so we’re updating again. We know this list is useful to families because it’s based on the real-life experiences of families who have gone before. Boarding schools do their best to make the … [Read more...]
Blog – Parenting
Aligning School and Family Values
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, goes through a series of questions that will help you determine whether or not a boarding school aligns with your family’s values. Watch Justin’s video to discover the key questions you need to be asking yourself when considering values as part of your decision making. … [Read more...]
Making the Most of Time Together
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, shares strategies for making the most of weekends and holidays with your child when they’re at boarding school. Watch Justin’s video to find out what they are. … [Read more...]
Transitioning to Boarding School
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, discusses the important topic of helping your child transition to boarding school. Key points include: Talking it through so they know the transition is comingVisiting the school with your child so they can familiarise themselves with the schoolGiving them a little bit of experience with time away from home Chatting with them … [Read more...]
Healthy Habits for Boarding School
Dr Justin Coulson answers the important question “what are some healthy habits that every student should know about before they start boarding school?”. He touches on sleep, diet, exercise, friendships, and practicing their spirituality when away from home. Watch Justin’s video to learn about the importance of each one. … [Read more...]
Staying Connected with your Child
Connection is critical for healthy relationships with our kids. But how do you maintain a strong relationship with your child when you’re physically apart? Dr Justin Coulson discusses some communication strategies, including: TextingEmailingSocial mediaOld-fashioned letters Watch Justin’s video to learn more. … [Read more...]
What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a boarding school?
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, chats about the factors to consider when choosing a boarding school, in addition to friends, philosophy and fun which he mentioned in the last video. Other factors worth considering include: Class sizeYour child's strengthsPastoral care and wellbeing optionsLevel of supervisionDiscipline Watch Justin's video to … [Read more...]
Deciding if boarding school is right for your child
Dr Justin Coulson, from Happy Families, discusses the all-important questions parents ask themselves when considering boarding school for their child—"is boarding school right for my child?" and "is a boarding school right for my child?". There are many reasons you might consider boarding school for your child, including access to resources, peers, … [Read more...]
When your teen is having problems with friends at boarding school
During the teen years our children’s friendships become increasingly complicated, volatile and important. Suddenly friends and friendships begin to mean everything to our teens, and when there are problems with those friendships it can feel utterly devastating. Before the age of about 12, friendships are typically and loosely based on convenience, a shared interest, or … [Read more...]
Connecting With Teens: 5 Ways to Stay Connected to Your Teen at Boarding School
Connecting with teens can be challenging. The stereotype tells us that our sweet, loving child has turned into an argumentative, rebellious young person. More likely, however, is that your connection has shifted. Your child is more inclined to stare at a phone, hide in their bedroom, or connect with friends on social media. You miss them. These challenges can feel … [Read more...]