For nine years I was in boarding school. I cried at the beginning of every term and I remember my mum always said, “I will be back on visiting day.” I would then let her go in peace, well knowing I’d be seeing her or dad at the end of the month.
I understand this weekend is visitation day in most boarding schools.
Children will be peeping through the holes in the wall fences. Others will be loitering from one end of the compound to another with eyes fixed at the school gate waiting for you to appear.
Out of anxiety, your children will not sleep the night before. They will sit in groups and talk about the food stuffs they expect the parents to bring tomorrow. They will refuse breakfast, lunch and any other meals hoping to eat themselves silly when the parents come.
Their little hearts will be pumping so fast and they will worry about you not coming in time. They will hope that you won’t miss the visitation. Their prayer will be one; “God please make my parents come”!
They will wear their best clothes and wash their bodies cleaner than usual because they don’t want to appear dirty when dad and mum come. They will be moving in groups, holding hands and chatting about you all day, waiting to show you their best friends and sharing that special meal made by you. Your children will be waiting for you anxiously!
Your babies will be expecting you, so please don’t get too busy this weekend.
Prepare their favourite meals, buy those things they love, carry along their siblings, their best relative and go visit. Please don’t sacrifice this bonding moment for chasing business. Your child’s visitation day should be priority. If you personally can’t go, send a relative they will be glad to see and chat with.
I know what may happen to your child if you don’t go. I saw friends’ reactions when visitation ended and their parents hadn’t came.
They got disappointed, frustrated and cried all weekend. They sat alone and isolated themselves from everyone. They hated going to class. Some refused to leave the dormitory and checked into the sick bay all week.
Its horrible feeling unloved. If you ignore this day, you may be subjecting your child to any of the above mentioned scenarios. They will envy those friends who were visited and they will hate ever being born in these homes where people don’t love them enough to check on them at school.
When you visit, please check on their class work. See where and how they sleep then finally pray with them. Enjoy your visitation day this weekend. Go make your babies smile.
