From the minute your child goes into their Boarding House for the first time, they are instantly part of a caring, supportive community. The Pastoral Team, House parents and Matrons will be on hand for any concerns or questions and Tutors will be keeping an early eye on academic performance. Any niggles of anxiety, feeling homesick or not knowing where a classroom is, is quickly taken care of – after the flurry of the first few weeks, life calms down and a new normal is revealed.

But what about you?

Those first few weeks when schools limit contact with home can be very hard. You are wanting to know how your child is feeling about being away from home and living in a new environment with new people. You know it is for the best – this break gives your child time to settle into school life – but it isn’t easy for either of you.

The pride and excitement you felt when you knew your child was going to their chosen school has probably changed to a feeling of trepidation. How can you still be part of your child’s new life so far away?

Be open and honest

If you are, it will allow them to be honest with you. Tell them you are missing them and how much you love hearing from them. But don’t put any pressure on them. A text every other day giving a quick update about something fun or exciting they’ve done can be as good as a lengthy email once a week.

Keep asking questions

In those first few weeks, remind yourself and your child of all the benefits of the new school – why did you both choose it? What made the difference? How is it working in real life? Keep asking questions and keep being positive!

Join all school Social Media

Houseparents are very experienced in sharing key activities in the first few weeks on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Seeing your child laughing with friends playing in the school gardens can really help settle any anxiety you might be feeling.

Always be on hand

…for those calls or texts and reply straightaway – you might be in a separate country, but you can be there instantly if your child needs to talk to you.

Share family updates

Create a family Whatsapp group with siblings and put in news even when you know your child can’t respond instantly – it will be a lovely surprise when they can.

Have a 1:1 Whatsapp chat with your child

It will allow them to talk more openly about things and allow you both to feel closer and more connected.

Have dates in the diary

Have dates in the diary of when you’ll be together. Book flights back home and holidays and share them with your child so they can look forward to you all being together again.

Find parents in the same situation

Find parents in the same situation and share how you are feeling – they are probably feeling the same! The school will have a list of all parents in your child’s year and there will be a group Whatsapp chat run by a mum in your child’s year. Ask for details of any other parents that you have common ground with – same home country or same boarding house – and start a conversation.

Try not to over think what your child is doing every day. No news is good news!