Summer Camp Blues

[disneymomjcs]

We took our DD12 to Sleepover camp yesterday for the first time.

She didn't sleep well the night before and was crying, then was really quiet Sunday morning.

I know she really wanted to go but I think I'm having a tougher time without her.

This is her first time being away for longer than a day and she is there Sunday until Friday. I think I'm lonely for her and hubby keeps saying she's fine don't worry. It must be a Mom thing to be more worried. She is responsible but the whole sleeping out and being responsible for belongings, self care and everything else has me totally freaked out. I did call today and she was pretty quiet......also freaking about food allergies and having a reaction and I'm not there.

Overprotective Mom here......

 

[Hannathy]

First QUIT calling! that is the worst thing you can do for both of you. She will be fine and even if she isn't it is only 5 days and very good for her development and independence to do it on her own.

Remember no news is good news and if there were a real problem you would know about it.

 

[happy.family.of.6]

my two 9 year old girls went this year. there were no phone calls allowed at all, only letters, so at least you got to talk to her. But sometimes phone calls can make things worse. I know how you feel though - it's just the unknown - is she happy, does she hate it, are kids being mean to her, what if she gets sick, hurt, etc. It's very hard! But my girls came back and were fine and had an AMAZING time! It was soooo worth it, a week later! First thing out of their mouth when we picked them up was "we're doing this again next year!!" not i missed you.....LOL

 

[disneymomjcs]

my two 9 year old girls went this year. there were no phone calls allowed at all, only letters, so at least you got to talk to her. But sometimes phone calls can make things worse. I know how you feel though - it's just the unknown - is she happy, does she hate it, are kids being mean to her, what if she gets sick, hurt, etc. It's very hard! But my girls came back and were fine and had an AMAZING time! It was soooo worth it, a week later! First thing out of their mouth when we picked them up was "we're doing this again next year!!" not i missed you.....LOL

So glad someone knows how I feel.....I am worrying about everything you said above and more. I hope she has a great time. She is at the Sixer Dance Camp and loves to dance, I hope she loves it. I better get busy for our upcoming trip before she comes home and clean the house too.

 

[Parkers_girl]

Just take a deep breath..she will be fine! I worked at an overnight summer camp for several years and many of the children were quite upset the first and even second day, but they are always up and smiling in no time. I agree with the previous poster, don't call! It really just upsets the kids. I'm actually surprised that the camp allows phone calls! And as for her allergies, I'm sure the camp has everything under control. She'll be home before you know it, and she will have some great memories to share.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I totally understand! I don't understand how other moms don't get as sad or seem to miss their kiddos like I do. My son, 10, went to camp last week from Thurs. until Sat., only 3 days, and I missed him so much! I swear he grew while he was there! As long as she can get ahold of you if she needs to, then you have to try to stop worrying, but I understand! It's so hard letting them grow up! Thinking of you!

 

[disneymomjcs]

Just take a deep breath..she will be fine! I worked at an overnight summer camp for several years and many of the children were quite upset the first and even second day, but they are always up and smiling in no time. I agree with the previous poster, don't call! It really just upsets the kids. I'm actually surprised that the camp allows phone calls! And as for her allergies, I'm sure the camp has everything under control. She'll be home before you know it, and she will have some great memories to share.

Kids are allowed to use the pay phone from Wed on but since she was upset the night prior toleaving and the day we left her and it was her first time away. I needed to call and see how she was for my sake and hers. Well thats what I'm telling myself. They allow calls during meal times into the camp. So I'll just wait for her to call now if she needs too.

 

[disneymomjcs]

I totally understand! I don't understand how other moms don't get as sad or seem to miss their kiddos like I do. My son, 10, went to camp last week from Thurs. until Sat., only 3 days, and I missed him so much! I swear he grew while he was there! As long as she can get ahold of you if she needs to, then you have to try to stop worrying, but I understand! It's so hard letting them grow up! Thinking of you!

You know how I feel. Other parents are always happy to see there kids go away and not be at home. I totally don't get it. I really do enjoy her being at home and she's a sweet kid.
So hard to let go even just a bit. I really do miss her. It is hard letting her grow up. Guess I need a job or something...

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Calling almost always makes things worse for a camper! They need to settle into camp life. Sometimes it is more about what is good for them than it is about what is good for the parent.

And, just because people are happy their kids are self reliant, and enjoy time away, doesn't mean they love their kids less. Maybe it means they understand that a parent's role is to prepare a child to leave.

 

[powellrj]

You know how I feel. Other parents are always happy to see there kids go away and not be at home. I totally don't get it. I really do enjoy her being at home and she's a sweet kid.
So hard to let go even just a bit. I really do miss her. It is hard letting her grow up. Guess I need a job or something...

Thats the whole problem. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU. Its about your DD . She needs to be able to go and have a great time and not worry about how you are reacting to her being gone.

We aren't happy to see them go, we are happy they are having a new and fun experience.

It killed me the first time any of my kids leave. I was the person who cried when I put them on the bus, heck I sobbed when I registered my oldest for high school, but like I said, it wasn't about me. My DD is 13 and has been going to sleep over camp since she was 8. Sure it was hard, but she has such a great time, its worth it. I am afraid your DD is worried that her being gone is causing you stress instead of just having fun like she should be doing.

Don't call again and if she calls you, get her to talk about all the cool things at camp, not how much she misses you or how much you miss her.

Find something to do while she is gone. My DD is gone this week and I miss her, but I also know she is having a wonderful time. I am also keeping busy, which is the key. Go to the movies or go to lunch with a friend.

 

[crisi]

We did this with my nine year old daughter the first time this year....a whole week of sleep away camp. Our camp didn't allow phone calls - which I think is for the best for the reasons outlined above. I missed her, she missed us. We were told she had two brief homesickness episodes - but nothing more than any of the other girls. I spent my days looking at her schedule and imagining what she was doing. And checking the mailbox to see if she wrote (she did, but the letters were poorly addressed and got home a week after she did). She had a great time, is looking forward to next year, made friends, and really developed a lot of independance in one short week.

Its hard to let go of your kids, but I agree that letting her see your anxiety or sadness about her being away going doesn't do her any favors. Its our job as parents to help our kids grow up into independant adults - ones who can manage their own belongings, self care, and food allergies. Camp can be a great asset in getting our kids to the point where they are ready to live in a dorm, do their own laundry, choose their own relatively balanced meals - and eventually have kids of their own that they need to hide their worry when they send them off to camp.

She'll do great. You'll do great. And then in a few years you'll get to go through it all again when you pack her up for college.