My first extended time away from home (i.e. more than a weekend) was a week-long trip to Washington DC through school when I was 12. I recall, even in the midst of yukking it up with my close friends in our hotel room, also feeling terribly homesick to the point of tears. Admittedly, I was a sensitive child, but it goes to show you how hard it is to be away from home, with all that represents practically and metaphorically.
Our kids have not seemed to have that problem. Jada and Aaron went to multiple weeks of summer sleepaway camp starting around age 8 or 9 and all through their teen years. And despite his special needs, Asher is now heading into his 4th year of shipping off to sleepaway camp himself.
Some of those weeks have been bumpy, including behavioral issues that have gotten him kicked out for the week. We’re hopeful that, being a year older and having familiarity with each of the places we’ve signed him up for, he’ll be fine and in fact have the time of his life making friends, being taken care of by amazing camp counselors, and enjoying the programming and nature that these places have to offer.
I will admit that the benefit of sleepaway camp is twofold,
for not only is it a learning experience for Asher but it also affords Amy and
me a break from having to organize our entire lives around Asher’s schedule and
needs. So if all goes well, everyone will win! Praying for this to be so.
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