We’re down two kids for the rest of the week. By Catholic standards, we’re practically childless. My thirteen-year-old, Betsy, and eleven-year-old, Mae, left Sunday for BSA summer camp. They’re in for seven days of enhanced outdoorsiness and reduced hygiene. They’ve been preparing for this moment for months. They fretted over what to pack and what merit badge courses to sign up for. Our younger two kids, Lucy, nine, and Waffle, seven, have been doing just as much plotting to decide how to use their brief window of freedom. Undoubtedly, Lucy will become a tyrant and rule over her one remaining sibling with an iron fist. Power abhors a vacuum. It’s going to be a strange week for all of us. The big girls have only been gone for a few hours and our family dynamics are already thrown off. Our live-in babysitters are gone. Rooms are empty. Little kids are acting like big kids. Cats and dogs are friends. That last one isn’t true. We don’t have a cat, and our dog is just as distrustful of the pigs as ever. Interspecies rivalries always endure. No matter how you look at it, this week is going to be interesting. And by interesting, I mean “a disaster.”
The reason for the riding boots requirement (if you genuinely don't know and weren't just being funny) is because regular tennis shoes can slip through the stirrup and trap the rider's foot. If the rider falls off and the horse bolts, this is very very bad. Riding boots have a heel to keep the foot from slipping through, so if you fall off, you fall off properly and don't get dragged.
I wasn't allowed to go to camp. There were too many T-Rex around. They were afraid that we might hurt them.
"Nature abhors a vacuum." So do my Shelties. One of ours once killed an Oreck vacuum monster by biting a huge hole in the bag. I never saw a dog more pleased with himself in my life. 😆
My takeaway from the newsletter is the stickers, lol. Seriously I am a sticker nutcase. Computer case, thermos, phone. Anywhere I can put one. I asked my then therapist why I feel the need to pee on every tree and it all goes back to being ignored as a child. I was the good one. It’s me yelling “LOOK AT ME!” It made sense, and didn’t change a thing. I just had some thing else to blame my parents for. Oh, car. Let’s not forget my car. Except I make those. Every time I get a dent I put a big rose over it. The car’s 7 years old and people thing I had it detailed that way. Actually I’m just a crap driver. LOL
You're in good company. My kids absolutely love stickers. We have an entire drawer full of them. The only rule is don't stick them on the wood floor. Guess where they end up?
Oh, they'll have great fun! And I bet they will come home with great stories of their week. From the 5th grade thru high school, I went to church camp for a week every summer on a lake in a town 35 miles from where I lived. I loved every minute of it and made some very good friends that I stayed in touch with for several years. I think the pool and the boys were the greatest attraction, but hey, it was great. Now here's the funny and/or odd thing about that. 45 years ago MrP (who was from the main town nearest the camp) and I and kids moved to our home that is no more than 1.5 miles from that very camp. I certainly would never have guessed I'd end up so close to the camp I enjoyed so much. Oh, and I thought my siblings and I were sent off to camp at different weeks for spiritual enlightment and good clean fun but I think now Mom just needed one of us 4 to be out of her hair for a week.
It's amazing how much peace and calm can be brought by removing just one child. Half of our kids are gone, but the screaming is down by way more than fifty percent.
Hey! Your newsletters are always fun and entertaining. I truly enjoy them, except today. Because your fun newsletter distracted me from continue reading your book “Bare Minimum Parenting”. I hope to finish the unbook before next week’s newsletter. I can’t believe your main competitor is yourself! Cheers
My oldest (21) is headed to Ireland for a month. One. Month. Packing has been insane, as well as her last minute needs. But, I'm looking forward to her room ataying relatively mess-free, knowing where all my dishes are at any time, and not worrying about when she's going to finally finish her laundry that has been in the dryer since Friday.
My first experience with camping longer than overnight was a Girl Guide (girl scouts in the UK) trip to Scotland. Living in England with grandparents at the time while dad served in Vietnam. Can’t really say it was a camping trip- as we stayed in youth hostels, but minimum luxuries. Although I missed ‘home’ I was excited for our many thrilling adventures and can say I’ve been to Scotland when some random Facebook quiz asks have you been to ...
I imagine staying in a youth hostel is far more of an adventure than staying in a traditional campground. I'd much rather face a bear than a bunch of random backpackers.
May be a weird question but back in the cave people days - we had something called Girl Scouts of America.... even in a very churchy area we actually got to go coed camping with the BOYS!! But why are these groups all girl Boy Scout troops (we were troops in Girl Scouts) instead of Girl Scouts? Does it have to do with the activities? Hey co-ed was ok with us - no problem ~ but all girl Boy Scout group/troop/ whatever?
They're totally separate organizations that do separate things. I'm the wrong person to explain all the differences. All I know is that BSA made the recruiting rounds, and my kids were hooked. And now it got me a week with two of them at camp, so maybe that's a good thing.
Hell yeah - if they are anything like I was - I could not wait to go to school, to Brownie Scouts, Jr Scouts, Cadets & Seniors. The CAMP!! I loved it and never wanted a visit from a parent!
I knew they were different organizations but I’m thrilled girls are now doing all the cool things the Boy Scouts got to do! Bravo Kiddos!
Our Girl Scout troops did a lot. My mother built a troop from just a few girls up to 50. We went horseback riding, snowmobile trail riding etc. There was also two trips I remember when we and other area troops took week long camping trips to state locales, one through the southern part of the state and the next year through the northern. There was also a Girl Scout camp that you could spend a week and a day camp not far from our home. Many great memories!
We had a fantastic Scout Leader & Her Husband was the Boy Scout leader. They were both outdoor people. We had a number of fun coed camps & the Scout Camp for the western part of the state was really close to us. Close enough but far enough away from “home” 😂 It was right on the Lake and canoe trips and rowing as well as swimming & diving. I learned a ton from Girl Scouts!
Sleepaway camp is the best! I went every Summer for 6 or 7 years, often staying for two months. I’m glad you’re not visiting - it isn’t necessary for a weeklong camp and really, as someone pointed out, it’s just a recipe for trouble. We used to have parents’ day for the kids were staying all Summer - I think my parents came once. The girls are going to have a wonderful time!
Ah, summer camps... It reminds me of the mountain hiking ones organised by the teachers from my primary school. I have so many stories from them they won't fit in a comment (so perhaps I'll have to write a post).
Packing for the trip is just like you describe - very stressing, full of quarreling and in the end you always forget that one very important thing. Plus for the camps there was a rule to pack only the things you can lift on your back, because not always the guys running the mountain shelter were in the mood to do us a favor and lift our backpacks on their van.
When it comes to personal hygienie, up there on the high altitudes no law can be enforced - far away from parents and with everyone exhausted it was up to someone's good will to take a shower. This is why what I told y'all sometime ago about boys and showering depending on their "civil state" was 100% legitimately true.
I, along my brothers and cousins was already equipped with mobile during my first camp, but our parents made a commandment "don't call us for the entire trip". At first I didn't understand their logic, but now I completely agree. In some cases no news really means good news. And we could have a break from ourselves. But I was still longing to return to (higher standards of) civilization.
Lastly, I don't know any teenager who wouldn't store their stuff all over the floor. But as long as there's a small path to reach the exit, I can live with that.
I think it's scientifically impossible not to forget that one important thing. If you actually remembered all the stuff you needed, the trip would be canceled. That's how the universe works.
Returning to an old topic - ordering food from a fast casual restaurant. I’ve forgotten which of your girls rated this treat. I just ordered from MY favorite, which I won’t name but it starts with a P, and despite receiving a confirmation will feel some anxiety until the food is actually In. My. Hands. tomorrow.
The reason for the riding boots requirement (if you genuinely don't know and weren't just being funny) is because regular tennis shoes can slip through the stirrup and trap the rider's foot. If the rider falls off and the horse bolts, this is very very bad. Riding boots have a heel to keep the foot from slipping through, so if you fall off, you fall off properly and don't get dragged.
I'm sure there's a valid reason for almost every rule in existence, but that won't stop me from making fun of it.
and nor it shouldn't stop you!
I wasn't allowed to go to camp. There were too many T-Rex around. They were afraid that we might hurt them.
"Nature abhors a vacuum." So do my Shelties. One of ours once killed an Oreck vacuum monster by biting a huge hole in the bag. I never saw a dog more pleased with himself in my life. 😆
Miss you, Bailey.
That's one brave dog. My dog and pigs all flee from the vacuum.
Modern camping, where the most important thing to pack is a charging cable
Now they just have to figure out which tree has the best Wi-Fi.
It sounds like fun!
My takeaway from the newsletter is the stickers, lol. Seriously I am a sticker nutcase. Computer case, thermos, phone. Anywhere I can put one. I asked my then therapist why I feel the need to pee on every tree and it all goes back to being ignored as a child. I was the good one. It’s me yelling “LOOK AT ME!” It made sense, and didn’t change a thing. I just had some thing else to blame my parents for. Oh, car. Let’s not forget my car. Except I make those. Every time I get a dent I put a big rose over it. The car’s 7 years old and people thing I had it detailed that way. Actually I’m just a crap driver. LOL
You're in good company. My kids absolutely love stickers. We have an entire drawer full of them. The only rule is don't stick them on the wood floor. Guess where they end up?
Oh, they'll have great fun! And I bet they will come home with great stories of their week. From the 5th grade thru high school, I went to church camp for a week every summer on a lake in a town 35 miles from where I lived. I loved every minute of it and made some very good friends that I stayed in touch with for several years. I think the pool and the boys were the greatest attraction, but hey, it was great. Now here's the funny and/or odd thing about that. 45 years ago MrP (who was from the main town nearest the camp) and I and kids moved to our home that is no more than 1.5 miles from that very camp. I certainly would never have guessed I'd end up so close to the camp I enjoyed so much. Oh, and I thought my siblings and I were sent off to camp at different weeks for spiritual enlightment and good clean fun but I think now Mom just needed one of us 4 to be out of her hair for a week.
It's amazing how much peace and calm can be brought by removing just one child. Half of our kids are gone, but the screaming is down by way more than fifty percent.
Hey! Your newsletters are always fun and entertaining. I truly enjoy them, except today. Because your fun newsletter distracted me from continue reading your book “Bare Minimum Parenting”. I hope to finish the unbook before next week’s newsletter. I can’t believe your main competitor is yourself! Cheers
I hate it when I sabotage me. I'm really good at that. Thanks for getting the book!
Thank you for writing them! I can’t imagine not to have a good book to read!
My oldest (21) is headed to Ireland for a month. One. Month. Packing has been insane, as well as her last minute needs. But, I'm looking forward to her room ataying relatively mess-free, knowing where all my dishes are at any time, and not worrying about when she's going to finally finish her laundry that has been in the dryer since Friday.
I'm going to miss her terribly 😔
I imagine her suitcase was as big as a house. I still would have tried to squeeze it in as a carry-on.
My first experience with camping longer than overnight was a Girl Guide (girl scouts in the UK) trip to Scotland. Living in England with grandparents at the time while dad served in Vietnam. Can’t really say it was a camping trip- as we stayed in youth hostels, but minimum luxuries. Although I missed ‘home’ I was excited for our many thrilling adventures and can say I’ve been to Scotland when some random Facebook quiz asks have you been to ...
I imagine staying in a youth hostel is far more of an adventure than staying in a traditional campground. I'd much rather face a bear than a bunch of random backpackers.
May be a weird question but back in the cave people days - we had something called Girl Scouts of America.... even in a very churchy area we actually got to go coed camping with the BOYS!! But why are these groups all girl Boy Scout troops (we were troops in Girl Scouts) instead of Girl Scouts? Does it have to do with the activities? Hey co-ed was ok with us - no problem ~ but all girl Boy Scout group/troop/ whatever?
They're totally separate organizations that do separate things. I'm the wrong person to explain all the differences. All I know is that BSA made the recruiting rounds, and my kids were hooked. And now it got me a week with two of them at camp, so maybe that's a good thing.
Hell yeah - if they are anything like I was - I could not wait to go to school, to Brownie Scouts, Jr Scouts, Cadets & Seniors. The CAMP!! I loved it and never wanted a visit from a parent!
I knew they were different organizations but I’m thrilled girls are now doing all the cool things the Boy Scouts got to do! Bravo Kiddos!
Our Girl Scout troops did a lot. My mother built a troop from just a few girls up to 50. We went horseback riding, snowmobile trail riding etc. There was also two trips I remember when we and other area troops took week long camping trips to state locales, one through the southern part of the state and the next year through the northern. There was also a Girl Scout camp that you could spend a week and a day camp not far from our home. Many great memories!
We had a fantastic Scout Leader & Her Husband was the Boy Scout leader. They were both outdoor people. We had a number of fun coed camps & the Scout Camp for the western part of the state was really close to us. Close enough but far enough away from “home” 😂 It was right on the Lake and canoe trips and rowing as well as swimming & diving. I learned a ton from Girl Scouts!
Sleepaway camp is the best! I went every Summer for 6 or 7 years, often staying for two months. I’m glad you’re not visiting - it isn’t necessary for a weeklong camp and really, as someone pointed out, it’s just a recipe for trouble. We used to have parents’ day for the kids were staying all Summer - I think my parents came once. The girls are going to have a wonderful time!
I can't imagine going someplace for an entire summer. These days, that would cost more than a house.
Ah, summer camps... It reminds me of the mountain hiking ones organised by the teachers from my primary school. I have so many stories from them they won't fit in a comment (so perhaps I'll have to write a post).
Packing for the trip is just like you describe - very stressing, full of quarreling and in the end you always forget that one very important thing. Plus for the camps there was a rule to pack only the things you can lift on your back, because not always the guys running the mountain shelter were in the mood to do us a favor and lift our backpacks on their van.
When it comes to personal hygienie, up there on the high altitudes no law can be enforced - far away from parents and with everyone exhausted it was up to someone's good will to take a shower. This is why what I told y'all sometime ago about boys and showering depending on their "civil state" was 100% legitimately true.
I, along my brothers and cousins was already equipped with mobile during my first camp, but our parents made a commandment "don't call us for the entire trip". At first I didn't understand their logic, but now I completely agree. In some cases no news really means good news. And we could have a break from ourselves. But I was still longing to return to (higher standards of) civilization.
Lastly, I don't know any teenager who wouldn't store their stuff all over the floor. But as long as there's a small path to reach the exit, I can live with that.
I think it's scientifically impossible not to forget that one important thing. If you actually remembered all the stuff you needed, the trip would be canceled. That's how the universe works.
Returning to an old topic - ordering food from a fast casual restaurant. I’ve forgotten which of your girls rated this treat. I just ordered from MY favorite, which I won’t name but it starts with a P, and despite receiving a confirmation will feel some anxiety until the food is actually In. My. Hands. tomorrow.
Sorry if I'm the source of that anxiety. Curse my accurate warning about the horrors of online ordering.
I’ll let you know how it goes!
Love your resigned sense of humor.
Two kids down, deadline approaching, Mae in control, Waffle ready to revolt and pigs... what could go wrong?