DS at camp, and *I'm* the one who is homesick??

[~D~]

DS just went off to camp for FIVE nights... The whole trip was a gift from a local private donor, and 11 kids from our apt. complex were able to go. Great, you say?? Sure, but... the thing is, he's never been away from me for more than one night. Ever. With family only. Even when his dad & I were married (DS was 9 months old), he stayed with me. I was BFing exclusively so there we were, me in my wedding gown half off, BFing before the ceremony We are so close, he still sleeps with me at least 3 nights a week. He's 9 now, going into 4th grade. I can't sleep, I can't do school work - and I had a paper due @ 3am. So another late penalty, SMH. I've taken many late penalties when DS can't sleep and needs me. But now, I can't do anything. I can e-mail him at the camp, and they print it off and give it to him at mail call. That's it. I can't tuck him in, remind him to brush his teeth, or anything. If he's scared I can't talk to him, make him feel better, or hug him. I want to get in the car and go get him and bring him home!! I know I am being a bit irrational but it is overwhelming and I worry he is feeling the same way, but he's a kid and all they want when they feel like this is their MOM!

[Arduinna]

A care package sent for a 5 day trip is overboard IMO. Calling to check, fine. Daily emails is excessive.

[crunchy_mommy]

I can't vote... my vote would be that 5 days is too long & I'd WANT to send daily emails but I would hold myself back & maybe only send one email 1/2 way through & keep it short & sweet -- "hope you're having fun, miss you!"

I know you miss him like crazy but by agreeing to the trip you agreed to let him have some space & freedom. Now, if he calls sad & miserable, then daily emails & encouragement might be in order, but otherwise I think it's important that he doesn't feel guilty for leaving you... and that he feels comfortable being on his own.

Now, I'll also say that I'm not sure I'd even let my 9yo go to overnight camp, but I only have a 17mo so I'll cross that bridge when I come to it! But I would encourage you to find some distractions, see some friends or do something special for yourself, things you wouldn't normally do when DS is home with you...

[lach]

I'm sure he's having a blast, I wouldn't go overboard. A lot of camps limit parent contact the first few days anyway as it tends to create far more homesickness than it solves. When I was a kid at camp, I only missed my parents after they came to visit.

If you're really worried, you can call the camp and ask how he's doing. But I would just leave it, or send a fun postcard in the regular mail.

[~D~]

Thanks he really was excited to go... i can't wait to hear about everything he's done all week! it's so hard with him being the baby, my mini-me I think I'll make it, I called to check in and the office hadn't heard anything, although one of the boys from our apt. complex came home already. I am sending one short note per day because I tell them I love them, everyday.

[Suzmama]

That is exactly the age that my DD1 was when she went to a week of camp. She LOVED it and said that the only time she cried was when she heard I called. I felt the same way you are feeling, but I'm sure it will be a good and empowering experience for your baby as it was for mine!

[~D~]

He comes home tomorrow!!! I made it without having a breakdown, unbelievably enough He's gonna seem so grown up and independent when he gets home... which is a good thing, but makes me all the same!

[~D~]

Ok, so DS came home all in one piece!! One really funny thing he told me about was when he told another kid about the disposable pre-soaped washcloths I sent him, he said the kid looked at him like he had two heads and said, "Dude, this is camp!" Needless to say, they came back unused.

I just wanted him to able to wash up quickly w/o lugging the entire hygiene bag to the shower-house. Like he was really going to do much of that, right?? Boy am I lame They were just the generic version of the Olay brand that I picked up @ Big Lots. I never use them except for camping and stuff like that - not very eco friendly, I know I just didn't want him to go around all gross for 5 days... I have a LOT to learn!

[crunchy_mommy]

so funny I'd probably do something similarly lame! I'm glad he's home & you made it through the week! I hope he had fun!