An ounce of prevention
for homesickness
Summer camp sounds like a carefree vacation with just the right mix of the outdoors, great activities and the company of friends.
And it is all that, but there’s also another side to the experience. Going away from home is hard work developmentally and emotionally for kids. The structure of their familiar daily routine and the support of people who love them is suddenly replaced with a whole set of new experiences.
Relocating from a brightly lit bedroom with Mom and Dad down the hall to a cabin that’s pitch dark at night, a wash house at the end of a trail, and a sea of new faces requires some quick adapting.
It’s the rare child who does not experience some homesickness when going away for the first time.
You can help your kids feel strong and capable when they’re separated from family:
§ Teach your child to express his own thoughts and emotions. The more self-aware your child is, the more self-reliant he’ll feel when he’s separated from you.
§ Support your child’s independence in daily routines and household chores.
§ Involve your child in decision-making about camp.
§ Meet other campers and counselors – in person or by e-mail.
§ Plan a virtual or actual visit to the camp. Let your camper see where she’ll eat, sleep and wash up – as well as all the great activities that will be available to her.
§ Talk about what feelings to expect and what to do when they happen. Have your child describe to you a time she felt sad and how it went away, so that she has that memory to draw upon.
§ Plan to write letters and bring something special from home.
§ Spending a few days with relatives provides kids with a gentle introduction to being on their own.
If your child’s homesickness hangs on:
§ Accept her feelings without anger or disappointment. Being homesick is not your child’s “fault.” A homesick child wants to feel better, but doesn’t know how.
§ Don’t bribe or threaten in an effort to get your child to cooperate.
§ Keep promises about phone calls and return dates.
§ Some kids do need to come home. If your child is unable to eat, sleep or enjoy any activities, let her try again later.
For more information, visit www.beechacres.org.
--Fran Hendrick, M.Ed., P.C.C., is director of Parenting Resources at Beech Acres Parenting Center.
© 2007 Beech Acres Parenting Center