How to Help a Child With Homesickness at Camp
For many kids, going away to summer camp is a rite of passage. The memories of long days spent building friendships, playing games and learning new skills last a lifetime. Most kids, while they enjoy all that camp has to offer, have some feelings of homesickness. Homesickness is completely normal, and parents can help their kids overcome, or even avoid, those emotions both before and during camp. In fact, according to psychologist Michael Thompson, more than 90 percent of kids overcome their homesickness before camp ends — and the more parents prepare their kids, the sooner homesickness goes away.
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Instructions
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Prepare for camp with a few shorter trips away. A night or two at Grandma’s or regular sleepovers with a friend can help your child get used to being away from home.
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Talk about camp enthusiastically before he leaves. If he’s excited about camp and everything he’s going to do there, he may be less likely to miss home.
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Attend day camp for a few weeks before going to sleepover camp. Visiting the camp during the day allows your child to meet the other people at camp and get used to being there.
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Send something from home in the suitcase. A favorite pair of pajamas, a pillow or blanket, or even a few photos can help your child stay connected to home.
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Pack stationery and stamps in your child’s suitcase and encourage her to write you letters describing what she’s doing at camp. Not only will writing letters help her fill the time and stay connected with you, it might remind her of all the fun she’s having, reducing her homesickness.
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Stay in touch. If possible, call, email or text once a day to check in and see how things are going. If you can’t use technology, send letters or postcards from home to remind your homesick child that you love and miss him.
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Send your child to a camp with plenty of structured activities. The more time that’s filled with swimming, crafts, hiking or games, the less time she has to miss home. If you suspect that your child will be homesick, seek a camp that limits the amount of “free” time.
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Talk to a camp counselor or director and let her know what your child is going through. She may be able to give you some ideas to help, or will give your child a little extra support to help with the homesickness.
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Tell your child you want her to have fun and enjoy camp. Kids can sense parental anxiety, and if you feel anxious about sending them away and focus on how much you will miss them, they may be unable to have fun. Give them your blessing to enjoy camp.
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Avoid overreacting. Unless your child is inconsolable for several days, or experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach trouble or nightmares, let her work through the homesickness. If she is making herself ill, though, bringing her home may be the best option.
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References
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