Opinion: Do not send you child to boarding school until they are 17

Based on my experiences after running a boarding school and parenting to kids, I would like to request the Parents that do not send your child away from you to a boarding school until they are 17-18 years old. Chances are that, if a child is sent away from home before 17 – he is gone forever not only from the family, traditions, culture, and also from within. 

The family Values and Traditions that a child could inherit while living with the family will be lost forever, instead the child will pick up some new traditions and cultures and will live them forward in his life. The after effects of these habits – acquired from outside - cannot be estimated today. 

The Indian traditions can only be learnt while living inside home, outside is all “English Vinglish” 

For a moment It feels good and worth the money spent, when we see our children walking with the modern society and coping up well with “new” generation;  We get our first shock when the same kids don’t listen to the elders and in return say “Mom/ Dad, things have changed, we are the new generation now” 

Then you wonder what went wrong in the entire upbringing cycle? 

So in my humble opinion, 

• Do not send your kinds until they join grad school (college) at 17 or 18 years of age. 
• During the first 5 years after your child is born, keep him/ her always with you…. The maids (Nannies) are there to assist you, but not to raise your child, 

The innocent Child is more trained Psychologists than any professional degree holder. The child is observing your each and every action closely, as you are trying to know your child, he is knowing you at a much faster rate. 

If you do not have time now to take care of your child, in the future even he won’t have any time for you…  

Like you have kept Nannies or maids for his upbringings, he will appoint Nurses for your care when you need…  

Like you have sent him to boarding schools far away, Old Age homes are waiting for you too…   

it’s wrong if you are raising your child with an expectation that, later in your old age, the child will take care of your needs. 

But raise with utmost love and affection, the love always circles back.  

The relationship dynamics between family and its support system is unique in the Indian Culture and Setup, that is why we have least amount of Mental Stress, Depression and Anxiety related disorders in India.