Preparing for the great outdoors

> Here are some do’s and don’ts for parents after they have decided to pack their children off to a holiday camp to teach them independence

the destination.

However, don’t suggest they may call you to bring them home if they are unhappy there.

This will merely put them on the defensive, and they might end up with no motivation to enjoy themselves.

After getting confirmation of safe arrival, leave them alone. Don’t bug them incessantly with texts or calls about what they are doing and whether they have eaten.

Allow both parties to enjoy freedom from each other during that time.

Some organisers do not allow telephone calls among their campers, except during certain hours.

In this case, contact your children only within the time period allowed.

When the camp ends, arrive punctually to pick up your children. Don’t be so late that they are the last one to leave, after all other campers have gone home. It’s certainly no fun waiting alone without friends.

When your children get home, give them time to recover from the camp. They have just had a few days of strenuous activities with friends.

They wouldn’t have had time to waste on petty things such as sleep. The myriad of activities they engaged in would have sapped all their energy by the end of the programme.

When they return, they would probably hit the sack and sleep more than 24 hours at a stretch, without even waking up for meals.

You might as well let them. After all, having spent all that money on camp fees, you might as well save on a meal or two!

Let your children recharge their batteries first. They won’t starve to death if they were to miss a couple of meals.

Once they are well rested, cook their favourite dish for them. It will be a nice change from the camp food they were eating all this time, and something they will really appreciate.

When all is done, get them to share their camp experiences, and pore over any photographs taken with them.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity for some quality bonding time together.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of nine books, including the latest, Cow Sense for Young People. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@thesundaily.com.