Losing Sleep Over Sleep Away Camp

7/14/2009

I finally heard from Oona!!! I can't believe it! I've checked the mail every day since she left for sleep away camp on the Chesapeake Bay on July 5th. I was desperate by Saturday to hear from her, especially since I hadn't heard a peep from my little girl. I went to the mailbox over the weekend thinking for sure I would have a card, but sadly nothing.

Then when I had just about given up, finally on Monday I got such a wonderful card!! It is so cute with little hearts all over it.

She's no dummy though. After not hearing a word from her, she laid it on thick, telling us how much she missed us and wished we were there. The best part though, I don't let her drink soda, and she confessed in her letter "I hope you don't mind I shared a soda with my friends." That was of course followed by "I love you with all my heart." Smart kid.

I've been walking around with a big smile on my face since getting Oona's card. I'm sure other Mom's who are waiting for a letter from their children at camp can relate. Everyone else is probably thinking why does Dawn have that goofy smile on her face, but I don't care.

I finally got my letter!! Who knows maybe I will get another one before I pick Oona up this coming Saturday. I can't wait to see her!!!

7/10/2009

Okay, it's been five days since my daughter Oona went to sleep away camp on the Chesapeak, and I'm still not sleeping that well. I miss her like crazy! Thank goodness the camp calls me every day with an update.

Yes they call me every day! My friends can't believe it. I must be on some list for nutty new-to sleep-over camp mothers who need to be consoled, but I have to admit, I look forward to hearing from them every day .

And according to my "source" at camp, Oona is having the time of her life. She did not go with a buddy, but has made lots of friends. She's been sailing and swimming every day and yesterday she tried water skiing. She is obviously extremely busy, because I haven't heard one word from her!! I sent a dozen self-addressed stamped envelopes with her so she could write her be-loved mother and father, but nothing, not one little postcard!!! Of course, I check the mail every day. Maybe tomorrow.

My one friend said it helped her to write her daughter every day which of course I do. I even check the forecast to make sure the weather is nice, which it has been, but our house is very quiet without our little girl.

I'm so glad Oona is having a good time and I know she will want to go back next year for four weeks instead of two weeks. For now though,I'm just trying to make it through the next nine days, waiting for a letter, and my daily call from Miss Penny, who makes my day with the latest news on Oona. I know at some point, I will have to tell her, "that's okay, you don't have to call," but I'm just not there yet.

I'll keep you posted.

July 6, 2009

I can't believe it. My little baby is at sleep away camp for the very first time. She just turned eight a week ago! It seems like yesterday she was learning to walk.

The head of camp promised to call me today and let me know how she was making out, but I didn't sleep at all. We've done all kinds of stories at Channel 10 on getting your kids ready for camp, how to pick a camp, what they need, the best bargains, preparing them for the experience, but no stories on preparing the parents!! I am a wreck.

Oona, on the other hand, was counting the days. She couldn't wait. She checked out the camp website, watched the camp's DVD and began packing a week ago. She even started a journal about going to camp.

She wanted to go last year and I made her wait. She said to me "You know Mom, sometimes you just need a break from your parents."

I remember my friend being a nervous wreck when her daughter went off to college and I thought, "That's crazy." Now it's happening to me. When we got to camp, we got Oona settled, met her counselors and tent mates and then she was like, "See you later guys." What?! No tears, just "See you later Mom and Dad." I'm glad she is such an independent character and I was a lot like her at that age, but no one prepared me.

Another Mom was crying at the registration desk. I, however, waited until my husband took me out for a lovely lunch on the Chesapeake Bay before I lost it.

The good news is, as we pulled out of camp, we saw our little Oona walking to the dining hall, hand in hand with a new found friend. I know she'll have a great time. I plan to write her every single day and can't wait to see her on Saturday July 18. I will probably be the first Mom at pick up.

Are you having a hard time letting go? Send us your kid camp stories