My SIL kind of offended me!

[always quiet]

I got an email from my SIL yesterday. She tells me that if I'd like, I could find a summer camp to send my girls away to next year and she would pay for it as their Christmas present. I graciously said thanks but no thanks...they might be headaches at times, but they're MY headaches! I'd be a nervous wreck within 24 hours!! I know some people chose to send their kids away for the summer and for them, maybe it works. For me....NO!!

 

[honeywolf7]

I don't think it was that bad of an offer. She probably thought she had your best interests at heart.

 

[jfulcer]

I dunno if I would call that an insult really....it was a pretty nice offer, IMHO. But, I dunno if I could send my girls away for the whole summer either.

Maybe you can compromise? A week or so at this summer camp and a week at Disney. She could take advantage of the discounts they are running now.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I can understand you not wanting your children to be away from home for the whole summer, but a week or two at a children's camp would maybe be a great experience for them and a little "down time" for you too. I have always regretted that we didn't have the money to send our two kids to a summer camp for a week or two every year. My DD had a friend who went to a church camp every summer and she just loved it. If your SIL is willing to pay for it, I think that's pretty nice of her.

 

[mhopset]

I went to church camp for 1 week every year, but it didn't do any good.

 

[Harambe]

My DD10 is going to Girl Scout camp this year for the first time. It is a day camp (she will not be sleeping over). Two weeks cost 300.00. Would that be a nice treat for your girls?

Did SIL give you the impression that the girls needed to go to camp, like a military camp or something?!?!? Yea - I'd take that as an insult!

 

[Dodie]

I don't understand why this was offensive? It sounds like a very generous offer.

A week or two at camp never hurt anyone. Did she specifically say "for the entire summer?"

 

[CathyCanada]

I think maybe she thought it would be a good experience for the girls and they would enjoy it. I don't think she meant to insult you, always quiet. Sorry you felt that way and it hurt you.
CC

 

[Cindy B]

I would be thrilled as well.. camp is very very expensive! The only way my kids got to camp was if I worked there, and so it was free for both of them...

Right now they are doing a FREE township camp.. otherwise they wouldn't go.

 

[always quiet]

Yes, she did mean "whole summer". She didn't mean military camp or something of that sort....I got some pretty good kids, yeah the bicker and yeah I get the eye rolling attitudes on occasion, but that's typical. I guess just the thought of them being GONE for that much time....it just doesn't compute! I don't know whether she thought I needed a break from them...or they needed one from ME! She is very generous with the kids and she is DH's only blood relative. I don't know...maybe offended was the wrong words....maybe "upset" would be a better choice.

 

[TigerBear]

Are you sure she meant the entire summer???

 

[crazyme5kids]

I think it was a wonderful offer! What a nice gift, much better than spending money on a bunch of toys. Given the choice of wasting money on a bunch of things they only play with a little, or an offer of letting my kids go somewhere, I always opt for the going somewhere. Sometimes a week or two away from the house (just day camp not overnight) makes for a fantastic summer, not just for the kids but for you too. Gives everyone a break from the same old routine. If I were you I would dismiss it yet, I'd give it some more thought.

 

[disneyjunkie]

She may have been thinking of all the fun they would have at camp.

My son went away to camp in 2001 and 2002. He was gone for about 5-6 weeks each time. He had a blast. Both years he came back upset because he couldn't stay for the last session. He had so many stories to tell about his camp experiences.

What do your kids think about it? How would you feel about them going to camp for a week or two?

 

[honeywolf7]

I think it would be a great experience if it wasn't for the whole summer. I also think it would be great if they could attend two different camps (give them a chance to miss each other.) JMHO

 

[always quiet]

My one daughter slept over a friends house last summer. I swear, she called me 7 times that evening. The other went to a sleep over...and was home by bedtime! Needless to say, the summer camp idea went over like a lead balloon! What can I say, we're a close family that enjoys time spent together!

 

[browneyes]

I don't think she was trying to offend you either. Maybe she went to camp when she was younger and had so much fun that she thinks all kids should experience camp?

 

[TEENEE]

I would hate for my kids to be away for the whole summer. I don't think your sil meant anything bad by her offer. My kids have gone to camp for a week at a time and they loved it. My kids have learned a lot about themselves when they are away from home. Camp teaches them that they can be independent. I wish my sil was that generous.

 

[Patabel]

I agree with the others, I think it was a very nice offer, especially since you indicated that she has always been very generous with the kids. She probably was looking for something really special to do for them, not realizing that you might look at it otherwise.

I know some of my most fondest memories of MY childhood were those couple of weeks I spent at girl scout camp each year. I know my DD loved going to camp, as well....and we are an extremely close family. While lots of kids have reservations about being gone from home for even an overnight, sometimes they get a real surprise at how much fun they are having.

However, bottom line is, you need to do what is best for your family. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Minniespal]

I think your SIL heart was probably in the right place. Perhaps yo could suggest spending the money on something that all of the family could enjoy.

 

[BrerMom]

I've made the same offer before. I sure hope they weren't offended. Summer camp is so expensive! I'd be thrilled if somebody offered to pay for my kids to go for a week. Our kids get partial scholarships for church camp through our church.

Obviously being separated for a whole summer wouldn't work well for you or your girls, but there are a ton of one week camps out there that are fantastic. Kids will also take their cues from you. If they can tell that you aren't comfortable at all with the idea, they won't have a chance of being comfortable.

Here's where my kids have been asking to go for years, but it's a lot of $$$:
http://www.spacecamp.com/spacecamp/

Are your girls close enough to the same age that they could go to the same camp at the same time? If so, I would talk to your SIL about a one week option instead of the whole summer. Did she have a specific camp in mind, like one she enjoyed as a kid?