Here is a guest blog by a BDC Staffer:
As a first year Barn mom and staff member, I had what I have heard is quite a normal experience Monday evening. I was confronted by my son with his arms crossed and a sour look on his face.
He stared at me and stated quite emphatically, “I am not going on the Hawk overnight. You cannot make me.” He is 10. This is his first summer at the Barn Day Camp. So far, he has loved everything about camp, so I was surprised. I asked him why. He said he did not want to and insisted that he is not going and that everything that was planned sounded stupid. He then burst into tears and buried his head in his pillow and told me to go away.
I waited a few minutes, built up my resolve and told him that it was not a choice and he had to go. What I wanted to say was that, of course, he could stay home. Why should he have to do something that was meant to be fun, but was scaring him instead?
However, the calm rational mom won out. On Tuesday evening, I braced myself. We had to pack for the two-night overnight. He was going to be stubborn and resistant. I was not looking forward to it.
Once again, he surprised me.
The first thing he said to me was that he needed to pack. He pulled out the list, got everything he needed and was telling me how excited he was. This morning, he jumped out of bed and was off and running.
So, what have I learned? Sometimes, kids need to just vent their anxiety and have their parents hear them and still tell them it will all be fine.
Camp still has lessons to teach even the grown ups.