Getting My Kid Ready for Sleep-Away Camp (Part 1)

Loyal Readers, at left is a summer portrait of your Bloomingtongirl, freckled and fretting, fraught with anxiety about sending her son to sleep-away camp for the first time ever. And below, are photos of the fruits of my organizational and personalization efforts. I've labeled every item that he is taking to camp with his name, but I am sure that the return percentage will be 50% or less. That's how it went with the girls, anyway. (On the flips side of that, they did bring home other kids' stuff to make up for their losses - namely a Today Show Beach Towel that fell apart only last year and a pair of shorts from some boy camper that I wore until recently (when the five pounds I've gained made the wearing ever so uncomfy, but I digress.)

I am certain that the question on my Loyal Readers' minds is, "How is BloomingtonGirl coping with the upcoming separation?" Loyal Readers, I will tell you the honest truth, as I always do. I'd like to be able to say that I am breezing right through this week, without a worry about how Jack will do during his four weeks of relative independent adventure. But alas, I cannot say that. I wake up every night, right about three AM with a pit in my stomach - also known as separation anxiety. It isn't a rational thing - I know. I think Jack will succeed at camp and do well and have a great time. I believe that this is the right time for him to try this out for a million reasons, many of which just came clear over the last several weeks. Sure, he'll get homesick and have normal tough adjustment period, etc., but I really feel that overall this will be a game changer for him. The anxiety is a completely irrational and visceral feeling that I cannot explain. I'm glad that I feel such attachment for my (sometimes maddeningly difficult) son. It reassures me that I do have a maternal instinct somewhere inside... ;D

In other news, there isn't much other news. I'll keep you posted when there is, of course. I'm off to bed for a few hours before I wake up with the sharp intake of breath and the sense of panic at 3AM. If it's okay to call you at that time, just post a comment with your phone number and I'll give you a ring.

Nighty Night.