Feeling guilty for not missing 12-year old son while he's at sleep-away camp

[Anonymous]

My DS (age 12) is at sleep-away camp this week. It's his third year attending this sleep-away camp. In the past two years, I missed him while he was gone. This year, I've noticed how pleasant our household is without his moodiness and attitude. I'm able to spend quality time with my two daughters and we're loving it!

I feel a bit guilty for not missing him.

Anyone else in the same boat?

[Anonymous]

I would feel this way about my son with special needs (except that he doesn't leave because I don't trust him with anybody else right now).

Anytime you're responsible for someone who challenges you, a toddler in the terrible twos, a moody teen, an elderly cantankerous parent, you're going to need a bit of a break.

Glad you're getting your break, OP!

[Anonymous]

I don't really miss my daughter while she is away at camp, but that is because she is having so much fun that I can relax and enjoy myself too while she is gone.

[Anonymous]

OP, enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

No guilt, just enjoy.

[Anonymous]

get over it. enjoy. he's not missing you, either.

next year, three weeks.

[Anonymous]

I don't miss my son until the last few days of his 2 week camp. People ask me if I miss him and I say, "Not yet!" No guilt here.

[Anonymous]

OP, my moody and full-of-attitude 10 year old DD is heading to sleepaway camp next month and I'm already anticipating feeling guilty about how much I'm going to enjoy it. I'm also anticipating the challenges we'll have upon her re-entry. I have a 7 year old DS who is so easy and pleasant and I know it's going to be so nice to be with just with him for two weeks.

[Anonymous]

Don't feel guilty - totally natural. You're moving into those years that will make it easier to separate when he goes to college. It is designed this way.

[Anonymous]

It's normal, OP, especially when they're moody or difficult kids, or just going through that kind of phase. Enjoy. Relax. Most of my kids are pretty pleasant, but I only really miss them the first few hours they're away. Then I think about them having fun, and I think about me having grown-up fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't feel guilty - totally natural. You're moving into those years that will make it easier to separate when he goes to college. It is designed this way.

This.

[Anonymous]

Same here. I miss his happy, fun self which I get to see a little bit on most days. I don't miss the needy, moody, couch-sitting-with-a-device self. And, I love that he's out in the woods doing stuff he can't do at home.

[Anonymous]

This is my DS's 3rd year, too (also 12). The first 2, I was always worried if he was having fun and really missed him. This year, he was so excited to go so I feel great, not worrying and don't miss him (sorry, I'm a bad mom!).

[Anonymous]

This is normal. Let's all try to let go of the guilt. There is enough to feel guilty about elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

I think it is normal for parents that send their kids off to camp. If they missed them and vice versa, they wouldn't go.