Parent to Parent with Jodie Lynn at CatholicMom.com

Parent to Parent
by Jodie Lynn

www.ParenttoParent.com

Kids Who Head Off to Camp May Need a Little Extra Help

Parents are always happy and eager to find the perfect camp for their kids. Needless to say, sometimes the kids are not as excited. Some experience separation anxiety, as well as other challenges.

Here is a checklist you might want to consider before choosing a camp:

Anxious children often have extreme thinking – worrying about the worst thing that could happen. If your child seems anxious, ask what her biggest fear is, and talk her through it.
Get feedback and help from many sources. Talk to the child, the camp counselor, camp director, parents of friends at camp, etc.
If homesickness is involved, find out how the camp addresses this topic and ask for advice. The child’s pediatrician might have some good suggestions, too.
Be sure the child takes along pictures of each member of the family, even a picture of a pet might be necessary. If possible, have a friend of your child’s go along. It will help take away most pangs of homesickness.
Pack any stuffed animal your child may sleep with and remind her that she can send you a letter whenever she wants to or can even call home.
Pack a pad of stationery, a pen or pencil, envelopes, and stamps. Let her pick them out.
Be sure to send her mail as often as you would like. Kids love to get mail, especially when they are away at camp.
Call the camp and ask what will be provided for sore throat, mosquito’s bites, sunburn and a fever. Ask what you can send with her to possibly prevent these.
Some kids are anxious about tons of things and many are homebodies. It might be that the amount of days the camp lasts for is too long. If the camp is for two weeks, cut it back to one. If she is literally losing sleep over the idea, why make her go? Cancel the reservation and get your money back. Instead of overnight camp, enroll her in a day camp program where she comes home everyday.
If she has gone to the same camp for the past couple of years, try a new one.
Keep your personal comments and reactions that might be feeding into the situation to yourself. When talking to camp personnel, do so in private where your child cannot hear.

Jodie Lynn is an award-winning internationally syndicated family/health columnist and radio personality. Her syndicated column Parent to Parent (www.ParentToParent.com) has been successful for over 11 years and appears in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and throughout the Internet. She is a regular contributor to several sites including eDiets.com, KeepKidsHealthy.com, MainStreetMom.com, CatholicMom.com, MommiesMagazine and ClubMom.com. Lynn's latest book, Mom CEO (Chief Everything Officer) TM - Having, Doing, and Surviving It All! (June 2006), is now available at Amazon, B&N, and any bookstore. PLEASE NOTE: This book is best suited for moms who are interested in developing traditions and building memories with their family It has several quick doable yummy recipes at the end of each chapter customized by age: babies through teens; includes a section on fitness/exercise, as well as, pregnancy, breastfeeding, academic pointers from preschool/ kindergarten to high school and TONS of daily challenges in motherhood. If you are a writer, columnist or just thinking about beginning a writing career, check out Syndication Secrets: What No One Will Tell You! (March 2006). Please see our site for details on her radio talk show, Inside Parenting Success and sign up for our newsletter, which offers awesome recipes and tips.