Pup is now in Year 10, Cub is in Year 7 and Foal is in Year 3!
The main focus of this post is Cub… I’m facing a similar issue I had with Pup ending primary school. (To be honest, I’m the first to say - I know I didn’t cope but he did)
But this time it’s worse. This time the school is actually holding the seniors camp! (Pup’s camp was cancelled due to “lack of interest”. Actually most of the Year 7 boys decided to boycott the camp and that’s why it was cancelled)
I think I coped quite well with Cub’s Year 6 camp (held at the school for a one night sleep over, where I could see him when we dropped his brother off) but this one is a whole new game. This time he’s not going to be just up the road, it’s not just for one night and I can’t help him! (Clearly my issues – thank you for pointing that out)
Cub is massively excited for “His Year 7 Camp” so I need to be brave and suck it up. Here’s my story because I’m obviously not Cub.
Before Camp
We’ve spent the day before camp getting all his stuff together. Who knew that a human could be alive for that long and still need more stuff?! He only needed more old shorts, old shirts with collars, undies, socks and the list can go on. He’s only going for 3 nights and 4 days!?
1st day of Camp
On the way to school, he was so excited, “Drive faster!” Dad asked him if he needed any help getting his stuff to where it should be, and he’s replied, “NO! That would be embarrassing!” So just a quick kiss from him (in the car) and he was gone! Embraced by his mates. Enveloped in the masses. Gone until Friday. I miss him already.
After school it was quiet. As Cub would say, “Too quiet!” and then make a noise!!!Dinner time was the hardest. 4 plates instead of 5. Not looking forward to bedtime.
2nd day of Camp
I’m still not enjoying his absence. I’ve had this awful feeling in the pit of my belly all day and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just because he’s not here? I’m hoping that’s all it is but like Dad said, “If it is important, they will phone”.
Well, they haven’t phoned, so he must be alright. Unless it’s the whole Halloween disco thing again. He was so excited to go to that too! The excitement lasted for about 10 minutes after he was dropped off. Then he wanted to go home. The novelty wore off. One of the teachers “encouraged” him to stay until the end. I’m worried the same thing could be happening.
Is he eating? I don’t know. He’s a vegetarian, his choice, so I had to put that on the form. Then he got cranky with me for putting that on the form because he was the only one! (He told me he would like to eat meat but he doesn’t like the taste of meat, therefore we agreed he’s a vegetarian)
I can’t call him unless it’s an emergency, and then it’s a case of leave your name, phone number, reason, and we’ll get back to you. Obviously questions like, “Do you want to mow the lawn and get paid?” or “Do you want chocolate when you come home?” simply don’t fit into the EMERGENCY category.
Clearly the teachers have had to deal with the more neurotic (I prefer the word “caring”) parents in the past and they simply don’t have time for the rest of us more “caring” parents, who just want to say, “Goodnight and I love you” (No! Don’t panic! I did not do that! I wanted to but didn’t because I didn’t want to embarrass Cub)
3rd day of Camp
I am so glad there’s only one more sleep until Cub comes back home. I think today was the best where I’ve coped. I still felt a bit lost but a bit better - Yay me! Maybe I’m growing up!
I hope he’s enjoyed himself,
I hope he didn’t go hungry,
I hope he slept well,
I hope he coped better than I, and finally
I hope he’s going to be happy when he comes home
I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
Last Day
Cub is back - Yay!!! He enjoyed himself big time (relief for me). He reckons that the best bit was the beach and there was no bad bit. Yes, he had plenty to eat. The first night was fish and chips (bonus) He tried some fish and liked it. Unfortunately, we don't know what type of fish but whatever it was I am more than happy to cook it! He's very tanned and looks fantastic. He's all talked out and is now reading his comic books. We're just giving him a bit of space to adjust back to being home.