DH won't let DS (11) attend camps

[Anonymous]

To be blunt, his sisters were abused by their priest as children, and he doesn't trust camp staff - any camp staff - won't abuse kids. I'm not sure how to handle this, especially now that DS's peers have been attending overnight camps for several years and DH just flat-out rejected the idea for yet another summer. I understand his concern, but I also want DS to have experiences he can't have on a regular family vacation. We've done a few days camps but DH was super unhappy about those. Advice?

[Anonymous]

Therapy for your DH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Therapy for your DH

He doesn't see an issue since he wasn't a target. He'll never go. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of kids survive without ever going to sleepaway camp. I'd just do more day camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of kids survive without ever going to sleepaway camp. I'd just do more day camps.

It sounds like OP's husband also disapproves of day camps.

[Anonymous]

OP -- is your child homeschooled? If not, how does DH deal with your kid being in school all day?

[Anonymous]

Find something else to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP -- is your child homeschooled? If not, how does DH deal with your kid being in school all day?

He is not. I guess he feels there are fewer instances where a child and adult could be along together?

He does go to every single sports practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of kids survive without ever going to sleepaway camp. I'd just do more day camps.

It sounds like OP's husband also disapproves of day camps.

Yes, he allows them but isn't thrilled.

[Anonymous]

Is your kid’s idea to go? Your post sounds like you think it is something that you have to do. My kids are just not interested, have never been to sleepaway camp and it’s no big deal. If it is something that your kid really wants, then it would be worth it to make your husband attend some pre-camp parents meeting, and see if that changes a little bit his resistance.

[Anonymous]

OP I understand your DH.

Think about it strangers all of a sudden taking care of your kids 24 seven.

Not every kid goes to camp.

Your kid will be fine with or without those experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your kid’s idea to go? Your post sounds like you think it is something that you have to do. My kids are just not interested, have never been to sleepaway camp and it’s no big deal. If it is something that your kid really wants, then it would be worth it to make your husband attend some pre-camp parents meeting, and see if that changes a little bit his resistance.

Yes, DS has been asking for a few years now. Are parents meetings a thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Plenty of kids survive without ever going to sleepaway camp. I'd just do more day camps.

I agree. Two of my kids have never been to sleep away camps and they're older than your kid.

[Anonymous]

Kids ask for lots of things - pets, toys, experiences, etc, but they don't get everything they want. Sleep away camp will be one of those things for your kid. You may not agree with the reasoning, but please present s united front in saying no. Right now it's coming across that you disagree with your spouse.

[Anonymous]

My high school senior and middle schooler have never gone to sleepaway camp. I only went to one as a tween, and while it was OK, I didn't feel the need to repeat the experience.

Your kids are not missing out, OP, but you can pretend they are, and use your husband's refusal of sleepaway camps as LEVERAGE to pick the day camps you want. Done.