Only Naughty Kids Go To Boarding Schools - FALSE. Breaking myths!

Being a boarding school child myself, I've always encountered this question when I say I'm a boarding school child - They ask, 'were you naughty as a kid?' Well, it's a common misconception that being sent to boarding school is because the child is naughty at home. False. Let's break it down and try again. 

Who started this?

Boarding school is what we call it now - but eons ago, princes and princesses were sent to gurukulams to live with their gurus and come home when they were ready to rule their kingdoms. Its called boarding school or hostel now but its something that has always existed. 

Why boarding school?

Boarding school helps children become self-sufficient. It teaches children the way of minimal living and time management. There is a routine that is followed everyday and it helps discipline the child's everyday attitude towards time. Parents keep a routine too and help discipline the child - yes, they can. 

Growing up with friends

Boarding schools are the only place that can give children the feeling of growing up with their peers. It gives each child their life in their hands. They design it the way they want, they find their own interests and learn from each other. Its a wonderful way of meeting children from other communities and parts of the world. It helps each child to respect one another and accept each other for who they are.

Boarding school children are not connected to their parents - NO. haha. NOT AT ALL.

Have you heard of distance makes the heart grow fonder? - Well, it does. There aren't enough words to put how happy that hug is when parents come to visit at school. It's just the best feeling. Corresponding over a letter and phone calls once a week gives children more focused parent time. Parents are not taken for granted. Their role is so important in keeping the sanity of the children in school safe. After school life, children have a certain dedication in spending time with their parents and are genuinely interested to do it.  

Boarding school children are all introverts - What, NO!

I have a huge bunch of friends who are all boisterous and very friendly! We all make friends easily and enjoy spending time with people - we've all grown up like that, so its easier for us to talk to someone new! The unsaid rule of boarding school is inclusion. Inclusion - making everyone feel loved. When there is a new student in school, its an unsaid rule that everyone around makes the newbie feel loved and help get them acquainted into the system of the school. I remember my first few days - I had a new friend with me all the time. They made sure I was familiar with everything and made me feel like I was wanted. I'm still friends with her and she will always be the one who made me feel included when I felt lost.

Although, why many people may say boarding school babies are introverts is - since they are brought up with a routine in place and a time a place for everything, they usually give their all to one thing at a time. They can multitask, of course. But their space is their space and it cannot be invaded for anything else. That makes them more concentrated on their work, not introverts. 

Boarding school children don't see what life at home is like.

True. That's a choice parents make for them. It's in the parent's hand to make the most of the child's presence at home during holidays to give them the feeling of home and to inculcate family values in them. 

What I see as advantages in Boarding School

The lack of technology - children get to watch tv once a week and get to use their time doing other activities that don't involve a screen. The raw truth of learning from the time you have away from a screen gives you options to explore. Living with your choices - every child makes their own mistakes, their choices and learns from them. Life's lessons are best when learned from experience! Organisation - children learn to organize themselves. Having friends and teachers close to you is a blessing! 

As a boarding school baby myself, I've always wanted to bust this misconception of boarding school parent's choices - Its a choice made for the childlike every other parent does. It has its pros and cons! Don't be judgemental when you meet a boarding school child - who you are meeting is a self-sufficient child who has grown making their own choices!