<p>Primarily for new boarding school parents, this is a thread on which we can discuss our aspirations for our soon-to-be boarders.</p>
<p>Beyond happiness, physical safety and health, and in order of descending priority, this is what I aspire for my son during the next four years:</p>
<p>1 A rigorous, broad and liberal education, well grounded in classical concepts and works. Exposure to those works that represent the foundation of our civilization.
2 Involvement with fellow students and faculty and staff of diverse social, ethnic, racial, religious and geographic origins.
3 The cultivation of mature work and study patterns.
4 An opportunity to develop his athletic potential and to experience that priceless camaraderie of a “team.”
5 The best possible college placement that he is capable of (and in this regard, I recognize that he is the diver and the school merely the diving board.)
6 The opportunity to experience spiritual life, which is something that I have not given him (we are non believers, and he is going to Kent, which has Episcopal connections)</p>
<p>I hope other parents develop this parent-only thread!!!</p>
<ol>
<li>challenging courses and broad choices for courses</li>
<li>attending amazing lectures/assemblies that I would love to attend myself with world renowned experts</li>
<li>increased social life- living with other kids, more clubs and ECs</li>
<li>college matriculation</li>
</ol>
<p>-clean his room
-accept more responsibility
-receive more opportunities to choose right or wrong
-have more chances to feel the pain or pleasure arising from choosing right from wrong</p>
<p>My hope is to STRETCH my D–intellectually, atheletically and socially. I know BS will also make her more self reliant, but at that same time, I hope it will teach her the values of community and the values of giving back to her micro and macro worlds.</p>
<p>Hockeymom’o3–funny comment re pan talking to self. I think there was another poster yesterday but the mystery folks at CC deleted. Anyone know what that is about?</p>
<p>Wish PPV was allowed on, he’s so interesting!
Yes, I am a student (my mom has an account, MimsyBorogove, but she never gets on), but I’d like to add something</p>
<p>Independence and maturity is something I hope to glean from boarding school.</p>
<p>P.S.- I always clean my room and I plan to do my own laundry, etc.</p>
<p>I’m not a new boarding school parent, D is wrapping up her first year. It’s interesting to watch her interact with adults today versus a year ago. She is far more relaxed and confident. Definitely more independent. She has grown up faster than she would have at home, I don’t think that is a good or bad thing.</p>
<p>After three years, I was happy to see small rewards and respect for all the hard work begin to make my daughter see that hard work is not just something that adults force on you, but that hard work results in payback that makes one proud.</p>
<p>I am less thrilled to see my daughter come home a racist. In her mind, dark skinned kids can get away with anything, skip classes, break rules, but will be given endless chances. White kids are held to the letter of the rule. And she is angry about it; that was not a “lesson” that I wished she had learned.</p>