Parents look forward to summer vacation. Most kids go away to summer camp for a period of time and parents get time to themselves. If your child is away for the first time, they may get homesick. Here are a few ways that parents can deal with a homesick camper.
Summer camp is both exciting and a bit scary. While children look forward to new experiences, the social aspects of camp can be daunting. Will I make friends? Will anyone like me? Will I be safe?
If this is your child’s first time away from home, ease them into it. Make a visit to the camp before the summer. Kids get to look around and parents get to ask questions of the camp counselors. If your child is familiar with the place they will be attending, they may be less likely to have jitters.
Letting your child help in the decision of which camp to attend gives them a sense of control. If they pick the camp, they may be more optimistic about the outcome of their time there. If their friends are attending the same camp, this increases the comfort level of your child.
The first night at camp is usually the hardest. Cuddling up with a favorite teddy bear or covering up with a childhood blanket works to soothe their anxiety. If your child has a CD player, make a recording of your voice wishing them good night and good luck at summer camp. Listening to it before bed may give them the strength to push on especially if they have had a bad day.
Camp counselors are used to dealing with children and homesickness. For most, the feeling passes as soon as they have their first big success at camp. Kids just need to get acclimated to their new environment.
If the situation is still ongoing after a few days, talk with a camp counselor. If your child is experiencing problems with another camper or an incident has occurred, see if they can resolve the conflict without bringing your child home. If they are to learn conflict resolution and overcoming anxiety, they need to be given a chance to do so.
Don’t be afraid to withdraw your child from summer camp if the need should arise. There is no reason to assign blame. Reaffirming to your child that it is okay to come home will lift their self image and give them the courage to try again the next year.
All children are not ready for summer camp at the same time. For some, it takes longer to get adjusted to being away from home.
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