How to have a happy camper

Listen to Amy

Is your child is heading off to summer camp? Here’s what every parent needs to know: not all  campers are excited it. Some kids are unsure about spending so much time away from their homes and parents…and some are downright terrified by the prospect. Some amount of separation anxiety is normal, and  no matter how independent your child is, chances are she’ll probably be reluctant to leave you.

Before signing up for  camp talk to your child about it. Ask how he’s feeling and what he thinks about it. Be sure to acknowledge  his feelings, even if you don’t believe there’s any real reason for him to be upset. His feelings and fears are very real.

It’s a good idea to let your child have some say in decision making—and if he flat-out doesn’t want to go to camp, don’t force him. Consider giving him a choice—like day camp instead of sleep-away camp.

If you’re child is frightened by the prospect of  camp, it might help to “practice” with  shorter separations. Depending on your child’s age and degree of homesickness, practice being apart just an hour or two and increase the time as your child gets comfortable.

Stay calm and positive. Worry creates more of the same..  When your child talks about their worries  don’t feed into them by adding your own  to the mix. Remind your child of how much fun she’ll have and what she’ll learn. And don’t make a big deal of drop-off—if you get emotional, your child is more likely to lose it, too.

We all  worry our kids will be lost without us. If you do get a frantic phone call, emotional email, or desperate letter, don’t make a fuss that your child can feed off of. Instead, try to talk to a counselor about your child’s homesickness before making a decision to yank them from camp. Most kids make it through, just fine.