Nick has an overnight field trip

[TEF]

coming up for school. As I mentioned before he is at a new private school this year. The field trip is an overnight trip. Camping and wilderness adventure. The entire 7th grade goes. We are not a family that does the sleepover thing. The only time my kids have been away from us overnight is one time last summer, when dh and I went to a wedding and stayed over night, my older neices babysat the boys and stayed at our house.

So he is definitey nervous about this. Truth be told, I am too. I mean he is 12 yrs old, I shouldn't be nervous for him, but, I definitely am.

He is a very smart kid but is definitely insecure in social situations. He doesn't have alot of "close" friends. He has made some buddies already at the new school for which I am glad about, but, still worried about how he will be overnight with all new people.

The overnight field trip is this Thursday. They leave Thursday morning and return Friday late afternoon.

What pointers would you give your child if he/she was in this situation?

[Pezzle Stick]

I dont have any advice. I'm sure he'll be nervous going into it but once he gets there he'll be having so much fun that he won't have time to be nervous anymore. Mom will be the one doing the worrying. Let us know how it goes

[zak frost]

How about a "lovey"? Something that will remind him of home that he can keep in his pocket. If he is feeling homesick, he can put his hand in his pocket and hold the object.

[Duck]

How about a "lovey"? Something that will remind him of home that he can keep in his pocket. If he is feeling homesick, he can put his hand in his pocket and hold the object.

Good one.

Also, don't let him sense/know that you are nervous about it. Keep telling him it will be great. Hope he has fun!

[Sofa King]

I think that it's going to be good for both of you for him to sleep over. Yes it will be hard, since it hasn't been part of the repitoire yet, but it will help foster independence, confidence and growth.....and for him too!!! :teehee

Seriously, it's not easy, but I feel it will be worth the benifits! :hug

[gypsymom]

I think that it's going to be good for both of you for him to sleep over. Yes it will be hard, since it hasn't been part of the repitoire yet, but it will help foster independence, confidence and growth.....and for him too!!! :teehee

Seriously, it's not easy, but I feel it will be worth the benifits! :hug


I totally agree. Also, there is always something magical about a campfire that draws out socialabilty and a bit of whimsy in everyone. It will be a great opportunity for him to bond with his peers in a unique way. Who knows, maybe he will discover a new skill or talent that will inspire him. Or maybe he'll just realize that it rocks to be away from mom. :lol

[UnFun]

I don't know what to tell you. I haven't allowed any of my boys to go on overnight field trips. It just makes me too nervous. I figure I'll let them go when they're seniors in high school... maybe :snicker

[Lilac]

Im sure he will be fine. My sister was worried about sending her 11 and 9 year old to camp because she had never been away from them. So, she went to the camp to just in case they needed her, they would know she was there. Not once did they ask for her, in fact the entire time they were there for the week she never even saw them. They did totally fine without her.

Im sure your son will do just fine too. :hugs

[Free Bird]

Aw Tef, I'm sorry for your anxiety. :hug
I asked Chris for some advice for you since he is 12 and took his first trip away from home in the 5th grade when he was a Safety Patrol, and went to Washington DC. That was a 4 day trip. They traveled via AmTrac trains and stayed in a hotel. He said that the fact that I was excited for him and didn't let him see how nervous I was really made a difference for him. Let me tell you, it was nerve racking for me. 4 days, in a different state, and no communication unless it's an emergency is tough. I knew that I would regret it if I didn't give him this opportunity. In hind site, I'm glad I was able to put my fears aside and let him go. After all, it is a school function, in our case the teachers and chaperones had to take a certification course to take the kids out of state, the hotel they stayed at was booked with children in the Safety Patrol program and their chaperones only. Each Chaperone only had a group of 5 kids assigned to him/her. He got to meet kids from other schools in our area and actually ran into a friend from kindergarden. He got to see snow, which is a real treat since we live in FL, and the highlight of his trip was that he got to meet President Bush (his group ran into him in the lobby of the hotel, it was not a scheduled meeting)

As Moms, it's really hard for us to see our little ones grow up. I think you both will be fine. He may actually surpise you at how well he does and how excited he'll be to tell you everything they did when he gets back.

Chris said to tell him he's lucky because his school doesn't have camping field trips.