I dropped my children off at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal last Sunday for a week of overnight Camp. This year Benjamin decided there was no need for him and Sebastian to go to the same place as he "needs to start developing some independence skills" Needless to say this distressed his mother, because although I think he is prefectly able to manage on his own there is something to be said about the comfort and security of the two of them being in the same place IF anything were to happen.
The drop off with Sebastian went smoothly. We met his counselor, an 18 year old Australian youn man who was very mature and appropriate and Sebastian and he hit it off really well from the start. Benjamin on the other hand was left in the care of "Banana". Yes, Banana. She did not get up from the floor, did not make eye contact and did not extend her hand to greet us. When we asked for her name she said: "Banana". When we asked for her real name her response was (while giggling uncontrollably and covering her mouth with her hands): "I can't tell you". WTF?? I am leaving my 11 year old with YOU??? Thankfully there was another boy Jeremy in his group who comforted us by saying: "Don't worry I have been to this camp before and I am sure we will all be happy" while oozing 11 year old maturity. Great, at least Benj will have Jeremy.
I was a summer camp counsellor in New Hampshire for a few years and now that I am on the receiving end I wonder, did I come across as a professional and put together young woman or was I a Banana? I think I was pretty good at it. The responsabilites started at the Mexico City airport with the care (even the fist year I went, at age 11, I was put in charge) of a gaggle of unruly Mexican kids that had to be navigated through security, flight, flight changes, immigration, more security and second flight. I remember I was given the responsability of carrying the passports!!! and boarding tickets too !!! Eventually we all made it to Boston and Camp Q safely. So I must not have been a banana, then again maybe I was. If you knew me then you can comment but do it kindly :) it could destroy my self-esteem :).
Any hoo, Sebastian comes back today and Benjamin tomorrow and here are a few of the things I learned while they were away:
The house is way tooo big.
The house is waaaaaayyyyy to quiet.
Most of the phone calls (contrary to popular belief) are not for me.
The big bottle of shampoo CAN last more than one week.
I do not need to buy toilet paper as often as I thought.
I miss the creaking of their bedroom doors at night when they use the bathroom.
THEY eat ALL of the food in my home.
Hot dogs last forever is there are no teenagers in the house.
Laundry loads are infinitesimally small and frankly do not need to be done on a regular basis.
You get a pretty good workout if you have to climb up and down the stairs to get things that you forgot rather than have them go get them.
Going back and forth from the garage to the house to get things that you forgot (rather than place a quick call on the cell and have them meet you by the garage door) is a nuisance.
I cannot fix anything that requires complex electronic knowledge.
Watching sporting events on my own is booooorrrrrriiiinnng.
Time on my own is great but a little overrated. I have no need to be away from them.
If this is how it will feel when they go away to University I DO NOT LIKE IT.
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