Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks forward to it every year. I can't believe next summer will be her last opportunity to go to camp before she goes off to college.
Our daughter started going to summer camp when she was in middle school and has gone every year since. She finally graduated from camper and kitchen help to camp counselor this year. Every year I send her a care package with candy and other treats and she always looks forward to receiving it.
Our daughter just returned from spending two weeks on a ministry trip to Honduras, was home for one day, and then is going off to church camp for a week. I knew we wouldn't have much time to talk between trips, so I decided to write letters to her to send to her at camp.
I wrote to her about some of my day-to-day activities and about what she was missing in the news. I wrote about Hurricane Dennis and how worried I was for her so far away from home. I told her she was always in my prayers and how much I missed her.
Just in the two weeks she was gone she missed her baby brother's hair falling out and her brothers' first colds. I knew she missed her baby brothers very much and missed their baby hugs and kisses. I told her about what they were doing and that they missed her too.
Because we like to spend a lot of time talking about our spiritual lives, I shared with her what I had been learning in my daily devotions and shared what my prayers were for her.
I wrote three letters to my daughter to open on different days and included pictures of her brothers that she likes to carry around with her wherever she goes. I packaged up the letters with some candy and sent her care package off to her today.
If you decide to write to your child at camp, here are a few tips:
* If your children are young and this is their first time away from home, make sure to send several letters to let them know you're thinking about them and that you miss them.
* Have other family members write to your child also. Kids love to receive mail.
* If you have a child who would be embarrassed by letters from home, just send a care package with some of their favorite candy or other small items. One year I sent my daughter a pair of Sponge Bob boxer briefs, and they were the hit of the camp.
* Be creative with your packing. You can use a 2-liter pop bottle as a mailing container. Cut a slit in the side to place items in it and then tape over the slit. The kids will get a kick out of seeing what's in the bottle.
* Depending on how long it takes the mail to get to the camp or how long your child will be gone, you may have to mail the package the day your child leaves, or even before they leave.
* If you know any of the other kids at camp, like your child's closest friends, don't be afraid to send them a note or treat too. I often send thinking-of-you cards to some of my daughter's friends, and I know they love receiving mail from people other than their parents.
In this day and age, letter writing is becoming a dying art. If my daughter keeps the letters I wrote her someday they will be a special keepsake for her, capturing an exciting time in her life.
We don't always take the time to do little things for our kids or tell them how we feel about them. Writing to them at camp is a great way to keep in touch with them while also sending them a welcome treat.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit her web sites at http://www.creativehomemaking.com and http://www.creativehomemaking.com
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
Teaching kids to deal with conflict effectively and peacefully is... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
A parent writes in, ``We are having a hard time... Read More
Is Homework Really That Important?Dear Friends,I no longer teach in... Read More
"It takes a village to raise a child" is more... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
Keith is now in the fourth grade and he dislikes... Read More
Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Did you know that many people retire broke?It's true. After... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
Do you really want your child to enjoy playing with... Read More
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
Frankly, as a single parent of young children, I struggled.... Read More
In our last article about the neurology of ADHD we... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
There's a new kind of fun and calm out there... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 31,... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
Despite the theory that people have kids because they want... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
Recently, our family had the opportunity to care for sisters'... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Life is full of competition -- even in childhood. Kids... Read More
Salon visits can be scary experiences for small children: They... Read More
An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Airplane Themed Party Games... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
There are many things to like about the television show... Read More
Parenting |