The end of the school year is almost here and that signals the start of a
fun-filled summer. For many kids, that means camp of some kind – be it day camp
or sleepover camp.
My oldest child has gone to day camp for a few weeks during each of the past
two summers and will continue that tradition this year. She loves the feeling
of independence, making new friends and learning new things. It’s a fun
experience for a social, outgoing kid like her. And, I know that in the
next couple of years, she will want to go to sleepover camp – something I, too,
loved as a kid.
The only thing?
I’m scared stiff.
It’s true. I am already having a hard time reconciling myself to the fact
that she will, someday soon, be out of my care for an extended period of time –
and not just at Grandma and Grandpa’s house or visiting her cousins. I
really shouldn’t be freaking out yet about all of this, but I can’t help it.
Thank goodness I have a few more years to get used to the idea of my baby
surviving without me for a week at a time.
Those damn apron strings sure are thick.
LOL mine are too!
It's harder than I thought to let go…I want to keep them little forever!!
I can totally understand your fear! I'm all about my kids being independent and they've been away from me for periods short and long since they were babies, but always with family. They're both doing daycamp this year (it's a performing arts camp that the oldest loves, it will be the first year for her sister) but I can't even imagine sleepaway camp. In fact, I really don't see ever sending them, but it's not something I ever did as a kid, so maybe that affects my perspective.
I'm much like you – I love that my kids are independent, but there's that fine line…overnight camp is such a big step. Probably more for me than for them, though. 😉 Thanks for sharing – I have faith that when the time comes we will both be able to handle it! (And, trust me, overnight camp ROCKS! Some of my best childhood memories were of campfires, sleeping in bunks and chit-chatting late into the night with my cabin mates!)