Summer is quickly approaching and if ONE MORE PERSON asks me what camp Ryan is going to for the summer I could scream. They never ask about Aaron, is it just certain types of special needs kids who needs camp? I don’t know.
Why does Ryan have to go to camp? He specifically asked not to go. Last summer the school district had half day summer school and it worked great for us. I work from home some these day and I am going to have to find creative ways to work, but I feel like my kids are younger only once and I want to have a summer with them. I gave Ryan two options, to summer camp or not to summer camp, and he emphatically exclaimed, NO CAMP. He and I systematically designed a summer program together. In the mornings we will go to our pool for swim team, swim lessons, and tennis lessons. We can then stay at the pool if we choose for lunch, arts and crafts hour, swimming, and what not. I can bring my computer and we can take time to work on school here and there back in the bar b que area, which is empty during the week. Ryan will have occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy (bi-weekly), and I am trying to find a socialization class for him. The beauty of swim team is the choice of morning or evening practice and I hope to find a young teenager to help me at the pool as a “Mothers Helper” if I have a ton of work. For field trips I have a Please Touch membership, a Zoo membership, and the Franklin Institute membership. I found on online summer school curriculum for both kids to keep their academics sharp.
Camp for both kids could be about $5,000 to $8,000 for the summer. All of what I listed above costs about $1,500 for both kids. I know what they do with their days and I can implement new ideas and help undo all the new negative behaviors that came with school this year by being super consistent, modeling appropriate behavior, and using social stories that Ryan’s teachers have not used this year. I won’t have a teacher or counselor complaining about Ryan and telling me how he is manipulating me and how three hours of homework is normal. I get a chance to help Ryan undo the hell that was second grade and give both boys all the attention they crave. They are so looking forward to our summer routine down to Friday mornings at Mrs M’s house and the weekly trip to the park with her grandkids and the other kids she watches. I feel very secure in this decision and I have prepared well for the challenge.
Why is it every single parent, professional, medical person looks at me like I have three heads? Do kids like Ryan HAVE to go to camp or they blow up or something? Why do kids have to go to camp? Why do I feel like I am neglecting my kids by spending some time with them in the summer?
May 19, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Camp for kids gives a parent a break. But, if you feel more comfortable being with them, then that’s the right decision for you and your family. When I had both daughters full time, I had a full time job. So, camp was a necessity. For you, it’s a choice. Do what makes you feel comfortable and happy…
May 19, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I never had any interest in camp as a kid and I’m very glad my parents just let me make my own fun during the summers. The time was spent reading, building forts in the woods, catching salamanders in the creek… Fond memories. There is no need for scripted activities.
May 20, 2012 at 6:04 am
I think it’s brilliant that you can stay home with boys. We have to rely on camp for child care, since we both work outside the home. But we are going to try to have 3-4 weeks at the end of the summer with no camp so that we can all enjoy time together.
Good luck and have a great summer.
May 20, 2012 at 6:53 am
Everyone goes to camp here. Every. One. And honestly, I love it. Facing the enormity of the long, hot summer without any built in breaks for mom seemed pretty bleak.
Earlier this spring, I wasn’t sure I could financially swing sending both kids to camp, but in the end I decided to give it a shot with 3-hour day camps from the end of June to the end of July, but I’m already getting twitchy at the prospect of our utterly un-camped August.
I don’t think anyone’s looking at you as if you’re neglecting you kids but not sending them to camp; I think everyone’s just impressed that you are looking forward to managing the summer without camp. I know I am. =>
May 20, 2012 at 10:33 am
camp is good for kids and also a break for the parents, however, if ryan said he didn’t want to go then why waste the money? it sounds like you’ve got plenty of fun activities planned, it’s not like ryan and aaron are going to be sitting around the house playing video games all day (all though, there’s nothing wrong with a little of that from time to time i suppose). if i were you i would feel good about my decision. most parents aren’t creative enough to think of things to keep their kids entertained every day all summer long, so, camp it is, but it doesn’t sound like you have that problem at all.