Why Summer Camp is Good for Kids
Separation anxiety for children can start very early in life. It can start when they are as young as a few months but usually begins around 2 or 3. No, they aren’t ready to take the car and get groceries. But they are gradually beginning to learn the abstract concept of independence, which can be scary to them since their parents are usually always around.
Parents usually don’t sleep much after the first 6 or 7 years of constantly looking after their kids. Yet, halfway through that period, children should begin learning a little independence in and around the house. They realize that parents have to go work and that they may not see them for many hours. That is why they are so happy to see them when they come home from work.
Separation anxiety can also be a big issue for adults. Parenting is its own reward. Children don’t ask to be born, and they need as much help as they can get in life, especially in the early years. Still, parents need a break now and then to decompress and feel unburdened. That shouldn’t be a guilt-inducing feeling either. It’s a perfectly human reaction.
Still, as children grow up, they need their parents to slowly teach them about independence, self-confidence, and trusting their instincts via situational awareness of their surroundings. Also, the summer can be really long, and it can be nice for parents to have the house to themselves for a few days or a few weeks.
That is why summer camp might be a mutually beneficial experience for all involved. It is not an experience that should be considered lightly, so there should be a gradual preparation process.
Why Summer Camp is Good: Benefits
One out five Millennials are now living at home or preparing to move in with their parents to make ends meet. There are more young adults living at home with their parents now than at any other point in American history over the last 100 years. This is not to say that such will happen to your child. But this reality says a lot about the current generation of young Americans and their ability to take care of themselves.
Talk to your child about the process, especially if there is a sleepaway component to the summer camp. Some children are very independent but may not be comfortable sleeping away from their own beds. Summer camp can be a great way for children to bolster their confidence, test out their beliefs, make new friends, and learn if they are making the right decisions when it comes to challenges.
Summer camp is also a good way for your child to learn new educational and athletic skills. And, for you and your child to network with friends and educational professionals. Also, they are bound to have a lot of fun.
Go Slowly
I am not recommending that you send your children off to the first summer camp that you look up, Kamp Krusty-style, like on The Simpsons. There is no need to rush it. Do some proper research. Check for reviews and recommendations online. Ask at your child’s school or friends for advice. Talk to the staff who run the camps you research. Be involved and engaged in every part of the process.
After all, you will be trusting this organization with your child for days or weeks. Also, keep in mind that these experiences aren’t cheap. The average fee for most summer camps range between $300 and $1,000 for the most basic experiences. Some summer camps are bound to charge a lot more than that.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.