I have to say that in my experience kids at boarding schools don't feel like they've been "discarded". (At least, not at the boarding schools we've been exposed to.) I live at a boarding school. (Married to a teacher.) We eat all of our meals there, with our three children. I work in residential life (dorm duty), and the students there seem to love it. In fact, many of them would prefer to stay there with their friends over breaks. At the spring picnic, my 6-year-old son said, "This is so great! It's like having 100 older brothers and sisters, and a party in your big backyard!" It really is a unique experience.
Just thought I'd add to the boarding life information. :-)
