My daugher who is 10 has been @college camp for gifted and talented for 2 weeks. Well she is extreemly homesick and don't know how to sooth her?? She calls me every night to tell me about her day and then when her time is up she will start to cry.
Thank you to all who responded!! Here is what i have decided... With the help of her dorm leader we have decided that what she is going through is normal and that according to her leader is the most independent and friendly one in her group. My daughter has made the most friendships and it is only at night when there is down time that she get the most homesick. I talked to my daughter last night and she asked if i could send her some more $$. So i think that it is a good sign. Thank you to all who took your time to help me and reassure me. We are planning a little surprise welcome home party and have sent out packages to her. Now we will send the $$. God bless you all and thanks again!! :)
No offense but 10 is way too young for a child to be away from home for that long. Can you go to her? How long is the camp? You need to either stop talking to her daily or get her home!
As a kid who lived at summer camp every summer from the time I was 8 until I was 18 as a camper and counselor, I may have a different perspective. She should be having a good time and developing friendships instead of calling home every night. You should tell her that she can call for emergencies but that if she just wants to tell you about her day then she should write to you and then you should back off and not worry about her. I assume you chose this camp and trust the people she is with so I'm sure she's between having a great time but feeling guilty because she left you and the feeling that she has to stay in touch and then miss you due to the seperation every day. My experience has been that as soon as kids, including me, forgot about mom and/or dad the fun began and a good time was had by all. If she's going to be there much longer a box of stationary stamped and addressed would be nice but don't send junk food or notes saying how much she's missed. Assume she will have a great time and then let her.
I am not sure where the camp is, but could you make a surprise visit and bring her something from home that might make it easier to make it through the rest of the camp. You didn't mention how long the camp was and how much longer she needed to be there, and if she is going to be there much longer, this might not be the answer. Instead maybe make her a care package and mail it to her...include her favorite snacks, beverages, a card, anything else that would brighten up her day. If you can email her do that too. I guess I am going to be in the minority when I say that it is good for her to be away from you for a while, it makes her really appreciate all that you do for her. It is hard, but the little things that you can do for her from afar will make it easier for her. Good luck
J.
Hi R.,
Two weeks is a long time for a 10 year old to be away from her parents, regardless of who she is with. Are you close enough to visit her? Or spend the weekend with her? Would it be possible for her to finish out the time by sleeping at home and spending her days at the camp?
Hope you find a solution.
Take care,
B.
I would say that 2 weeks away from you at the tender age of 10 is too long. Listen to your daughter and go get her. I have a 9 year-old (also G&T) and I wouldn't send her away for so long. Kids that age still need their moms. Is there a good reason NOT to listen to her and leave her there? Probably not. It will only make her anxious in the future and possibly damage your relationship with her as you enter the teen years if you don't listen to her at this point.
Just my 2 cents...
tell her you'll see her when she's home, have fun, and don't call.
If she's there long enought to get it sent and delivered, send her a care package. She is after all a "college" student now. Send some of her favorites and a pic of what she is missing at home (house, family, pets). It wont cure it, but at least she'll have a part of you coming to her.
J.
Could she come home? Otherwise tell her you will be thinking of her throughout the day, and plan something special for when she gets back.
That is a long time for a 10 year old, gifted or not. :D
