CHECKLIST FOR CHAPTER 8:
- Include your child in camp planning, so he has a sense of control.
- Talk with your child about homesickness, so he understands it’s normal.
- Use a wall calendar to plan for camp and avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Put length of stay in persepctive, to help your child grasp the duration of camp.
- Reframe time, to make the camp stay seem shorter.
- Keep doubts to yourself, so you don’t make your child more anxious.
- Arrange for practice time away from home, so you and your child get used to being apart for a while.
- If possible, avoid moves and traumatic separations in the weeks before or during camp.
- Be truthful about stressful issues, to instill trust in your child.
- Provide comfort to your child after negative life events, so he’s less worried while at camp.
- Send your child a letter at camp before the first day.
- Do not make deals about early pick-ups. This undermines kids’ confidence and sets them up for failure. Encourage them instead.
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