Take measures to help ease child’s homesickness
Jul 13, 2012, 8:28 AM | Updated: 1:59 pm
PHOENIX — Homesickness happens in 96 percent of kids heading off to a two-week camp, according to experts at Summit Healthcare Healthy Steps.
Director of the program, Deanne Davies advises parents to prepare small children for their summer getaway by following a few steps:
• Allow your child to spend the night with family or friend in order for them to get accustomed to spending the night away from home.
• Engage your child in dialogue. Explore the possiblilities of homesickness and together find solutions for dealing with these types of emotions.
• Don’t pass on any anxiety you might have about the separation. Those feelings can be transferred to the child, increasing their level of anxiety.
• Talk to your child about the camp routine, their opportunity to make new friends and help them understand that the experience could be fun.
Parents should avoid making deals with the child about picking them up if they feel homesick.
“That is not what helps a child adapt and adjust unless the child is feeling extreme anxiety or depression and they’re not eating or sleeping,” said Davies.
For older kids heading off to college, Davies advises parents to tour the campus with their child to make sure they know where everything is.
Get your son or daughter involved in special-interest groups or other activities so they can connect with peers. Communicate with your child about the possible emotional side effects leaving home might have and also come up with solutions to tackle any types of problems.