While I did not see the original letter, based on the online backlash I can more or less guess what the reader had asked. One of my favorite online forums, Berkeley Parents Network, recently ran a (rightfully) overwhelming visceral reaction to a mother who wanted to send her three-year-old to a boarding school in India. Hands down, a dozen or so readers said a three-year-old was too young to travel across the world alone and be separated from his parents.

I'm going to assume that there are some cultural differences in this question (meaning you are from another country where this does not seem odd). I have know asian couples who have sent their young infants to live w/ grandparents in their home country for long amounts of time and although I personally would never consider this since my personal values are more based in Western norms, it is hard not to pass judgment on your question. If I understand correctly, you want to send a 3 year old overseas by themselves to a boarding school w/ strangers (not family). I'm unclear what kind of fabulous school this may be that a 3 year old would benefit in any way from this experience and to what advantage or need this would serve. I cannot imagine a scenario where this is a good idea for a child this young unless they were an orphan without a loving family to raise them and they need to be in some type of group institution to meet their basic needs like food and shelter. Otherwise I think this is a ridiculous idea. Your child will not understand being sent away. I wouldn't recommend this for a child who was younger than a teen and then only if they really wanted to go.
Not a good idea

Crazy. Then again, I have never understood the concept of boarding school, especially since I grew up in a Latino family where we all lived on top of each other. I couldn't imagine being separated from my parents so young!

Have any of you gone to boarding school? Would you consider it for your own children? Shed some light for this clueless MTer.

What else is on your minds, MotherTalkers?