Thinking of sending your child to summer camp? But what about Homesickness? You don't have to be a camper suffer from homesickness. A strange, new place can trigger separation anxiety. It is a normal part of childhood for many kids. It is evidence of the loving, trusting relationship you have built with your child and therefor, separation for the first time often is scary.
At a Kids Summer Camp a camper knows that separation is followed by reunion, but emotionally, it can be difficult to accept. When in the midst of adjusting to living with new people in a new environment, children can get overwhelmed. Even for children who enjoy new adventures and love sleepovers with friends and relatives, a short bout of homesickness is a common reaction.
Regardless of outcome, don't measure success as a parent by your child's adjustment to camp. Should your child do well and not feel homesick does not mean that they do not love you and need you. Also, if your child does poorly adjusting to camp, it does not mean that you have failed to create an independent child. For some campers , it feels as if they may never see you again . Be sure to put your child's reaction into context, often all they need is comfort and reassurance that all is ok.
Remember that even adults don't always act logically when they are very anxious. Homesickness is not about your child loving or trusting you enough, or about her independence or willingness to take risks. Homesickness is a temporary situation that she can over come with the support of adults. And when a child overcomes homesickness, it is an enormous boost to both self-confidence and self esteem. So assist the camp in doing what they do best, helping kids get over home sickness.
There are times that with a great deal of thought and awareness a choise is made to bring your child home. Failure is a feeling that often is associated with an early leaving of camp. Sometimes a child is just not ready for camp or the camp is just not a good fit. If, after a real trial (7-10 days), and your child is not getting better, it's time to make that trip to camp.
If you make the decision to bring your child home, hopefully in agreement with the camp director, then you need to support your child fully through what he may think is a failure. Don't go through an intense reevaluation the day he comes home, but after a few days, you should sort out what went right and what went wrong with the experience. Help your child to understand that even though the camp experience was disappointing, he is not a failure because he came home. Let your child know that you may reconsider another sleepaway camp program at another time because you have confidence in him.
Swift Nature Camp offers a unique SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS that is designed only for first time camper. This program works because during the 12 days it allows camper to move past homesickness and into self confidence. With a limited amount of campers and all campers at camp for their first time it sets a level playing feel for all children. If your child is reluctant to leave home look for a program that is only for first timers.
Picking a summer camp is no easy task learn more at Summer Camp Advice Camp information
At a Kids Summer Camp a camper knows that separation is followed by reunion, but emotionally, it can be difficult to accept. When in the midst of adjusting to living with new people in a new environment, children can get overwhelmed. Even for children who enjoy new adventures and love sleepovers with friends and relatives, a short bout of homesickness is a common reaction.
Regardless of outcome, don't measure success as a parent by your child's adjustment to camp. Should your child do well and not feel homesick does not mean that they do not love you and need you. Also, if your child does poorly adjusting to camp, it does not mean that you have failed to create an independent child. For some campers , it feels as if they may never see you again . Be sure to put your child's reaction into context, often all they need is comfort and reassurance that all is ok.
Remember that even adults don't always act logically when they are very anxious. Homesickness is not about your child loving or trusting you enough, or about her independence or willingness to take risks. Homesickness is a temporary situation that she can over come with the support of adults. And when a child overcomes homesickness, it is an enormous boost to both self-confidence and self esteem. So assist the camp in doing what they do best, helping kids get over home sickness.
There are times that with a great deal of thought and awareness a choise is made to bring your child home. Failure is a feeling that often is associated with an early leaving of camp. Sometimes a child is just not ready for camp or the camp is just not a good fit. If, after a real trial (7-10 days), and your child is not getting better, it's time to make that trip to camp.
If you make the decision to bring your child home, hopefully in agreement with the camp director, then you need to support your child fully through what he may think is a failure. Don't go through an intense reevaluation the day he comes home, but after a few days, you should sort out what went right and what went wrong with the experience. Help your child to understand that even though the camp experience was disappointing, he is not a failure because he came home. Let your child know that you may reconsider another sleepaway camp program at another time because you have confidence in him.
Swift Nature Camp offers a unique SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS that is designed only for first time camper. This program works because during the 12 days it allows camper to move past homesickness and into self confidence. With a limited amount of campers and all campers at camp for their first time it sets a level playing feel for all children. If your child is reluctant to leave home look for a program that is only for first timers.
Picking a summer camp is no easy task learn more at Summer Camp Advice Camp information
About the Author:
About the authors: Jeff and Lonnie Lorenz are the directors of Swift a non-competitive, traditional coed overnight summer camp. ThisMinnesota Camp for Boys and Girls Ages 6-15 promotes Nature, Animals & Science along with Adventure activities. Swift specializes in programs for the first time camper as well as Adventure Teen Summer CampPrograms.
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