Resist the urge to spy on your kid at summer camp

Today’s camps — both day and sleepover camps — are in a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to sharing updates of the kids’ days. Many know that parents want to see evidence, whether it’s photos, videos or even counselors’ write-ups, of positive experiences. But camps also need to make good on their end of the bargain, which is to foster independence, help kids mature, boost their self-esteem and expand their horizons. Not all of that stuff looks pretty. Here are some ways to balance your need to know with your kids’ need to spread their wings. friends. The other kids have a right to privacy. (Find out what to do if other people post photos of your child without your permission.) You can always crop in on your kid in a photo and just share that one image.

A lot of camps forbid cellphones for a variety of reasons, but if your child did bring a cellphone to camp, don’t message him no matter how much you miss him. It can make it difficult for him to adjust to camp life and make him homesick.

Did you check for updates way before the camp said they’d post them? Did you keep hitting refresh over and over to no avail? Did you text, call or email the camp (or, worse, your kid) over something you saw in a photo? Do you keep the camp page open on your computer just in case they post something? In short, are you spying on your kid? A little anxiety is natural — especially if it’s your child’s first time away from home — but take a deep breath and know that you’re being an excellent parent by helping your child learn independence.

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