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How do you deal with summer camp blues?
I thought we had it all worked out.
My daughter started summer daycamp this week and seemed to like it. She went swimming, raved about an animal show she saw with her fellow campers, and even came home with some colorful artwork.
But today she started her boycott. The very first thing she said to me this morning was that she didn’t want to go back to camp. She couldn’t pin down what she didn’t like, she just kept saying she didn’t want to be there.
Of course we went back today. I talked to the counselors about how she felt, they listened, and after some serious sobbing, she waved goodbye. We didn’t have this issue when she started kindergarten last year.
Now I’m wondering if I may have set the expectations for camp too high. For weeks I’ve been talking to her about summer camp and all that she had to look forward to.
My friends say it’s just a matter of her making friends. But if you have any suggestions on how to make this transition a little easier send them my way.
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Comments
What is your daughter's best friend doing for the summer? I think I would try to make sure she is going somewhere that one of her good friends is also going. I'm a teacher with two elementary school aged children and this summer I am currently watching my son's best friend. So, anything we do he comes along with us. This week it's been the beach one day and a movie the other. It's worked out well for us.
Also, if it is possible maybe take a day off work and try spending some time with your daughter at the camp. It will show her that you care about her feelings and you want to see what she experiences everyday. Let her know you understand it must be hard to start something new and have to make all new friends, but that you picked this camp because you felt she would really enjoy the things they are doing there. Make sure she understands that if she doesn't go to this camp she still has to go to some other camp. I think young kids might not understand this and just hope that they can stay home if they complain enough. Gook luck!
Posted by: sally | June 17, 2009 4:34 PM