One week of camp and major attitude

[Anonymous]

10-yr-old finished his first week of camp on Friday and, dear lord, the attitude! Snarky comments, new & rude phrases, slurping drinks, etc. I know I’m the safe person to try things out on, but ... goodness. He still sneaks in snuggles with me at night, so I know my sweet little boy is still in there but I am in a constant borderline state of annoyance during the day.

I remind him that talking in certain ways is not acceptable in our house, “know your audience”, etc. He’s an only child so doesn’t have siblings to try things out on; it’s all coming at me.

What helped get you through such a phase?

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised there’s such a big change In behavior after one week. Maybe he’s super over tired? How much sleep is he getting?

[Anonymous]

Same experience w/ my 11 year old

I explained to him that certain humor is funny among kids, but is not to adults. I also explained that when/if adults hear that kind of snarky joking, they might get the impression that he's not a very nice boy. That seemed to resonate with him, as he is a really good kid (sounds like your kid is similar).

It is a great opportunity to talk to your son about, yes, "knowing your audience" and the impression he makes on others within ear shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised there’s such a big change In behavior after one week. Maybe he’s super over tired? How much sleep is he getting?

I'm the PP who had the similar experience. I think exhaustion can play into it some. The camp he went to was super physical! However, due to covid stuff, I think kids haven't had nearly the amount of unstructured time that they otherwise would during a normal school year. Put them altogether and they're ready to cut loose. Plus, a lot of kids have been on screens all year, and they pick up language from TV shows and movies. We continued sports and stuff each week, but school was closed for most of the year and playdates weren't happening during the winter. Our neighborhood doesn't have a lot of kids in it, so that was another factor in our case.

[Anonymous]

Slurping drinks?! Pull him out of camp right now. And take away electronics for the summer. Completely unacceptable behavior from a child.

[Anonymous]

Ten year old boys are super annoying. I love mine so much, and I try to ignore a lot because in a few years he might not talk to me much at all, but it’s just a really, really annoying age.

[Anonymous]

Our 8 year old DD has had more attitude in the 2 weeks she's been in camp, but I think part of it is she gets tired out (they're outside all day) and also is a bit nervous as she's around kids she hasn't been with before and she's shy.

[Anonymous]

Excuses and lazy parents.

One week of camp does not change a kid.

I have six all went to camps from day to sleep away, none ever did this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Excuses and lazy parents.

One week of camp does not change a kid.

I have six all went to camps from day to sleep away, none ever did this.

You have six kids?!? Did the nanny raise them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excuses and lazy parents.

One week of camp does not change a kid.

I have six all went to camps from day to sleep away, none ever did this.

You have six kids?!? Did the nanny raise them?

I know this is a foreign concept on DCUM, but people exist who have multiple children and raise them themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excuses and lazy parents.

One week of camp does not change a kid.

I have six all went to camps from day to sleep away, none ever did this.

You have six kids?!? Did the nanny raise them?

I know this is a foreign concept on DCUM, but people exist who have multiple children and raise them themselves.

Did you kids all live through a global pandemic and spend a year + likely being isolated in their homes and are just now getting back out there and experiencing group settings again? Probably not. So….shhhhhhhh

[Anonymous]

I found my kids learned a lot on the camp bus. We typically walk to school so the camp bus was a new experience.

But my 10 YO really started testing things out in the spring - and he swings from being snaky to sweet in about 30 seconds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slurping drinks?! Pull him out of camp right now. And take away electronics for the summer. Completely unacceptable behavior from a child.

Did you get the point of OP's post at all??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised there’s such a big change In behavior after one week. Maybe he’s super over tired? How much sleep is he getting?

My 6 yo came home from Calleva camp and another child taught her the middle finger. She thinks it’s hilarious.

Ha.

[Anonymous]

Totally normal, OP - just roll with it. Couple of years ago, my athletics-obsessed DD went to a sports camp where she happened to be the only girl in her group. Started calling me "bro" and "dude," burping loudly, etc. They're sponges.