Kyle's week at camp

Leaving the nest is sometimes tougher on the parents than the child. Last week Kyle left for the longest he has been away from us. He went to camp for a week.
I was not sure how this would affect us and our routine. But I didn't think it would be so different.

To start off with Kyle's week was great. He had a very good time at camp, and he was just fine without us. He loved archery, and the food was good. He wasn't thrilled with nap time. He went to his first dance, sang karaoke, stayed up late, went to a bonfire, and made many new friends. His counselor was only 17 and not much bigger than Kyle but they seemed to get along great. Someone in his cabin snored. When Kyle came home he slept and was as dirty as any typical boy coming from home from camp. Overall he enjoyed it but he only wants to go back if the cabins are air conditioned.

I don't think we did as well. In some ways it almost was paralyzing. For the last year about every 20 minutes or so there is a need that needs to be taken care of. Whether it be going to the bathroom, something that dropped, or any other normal part of life life revolves in many ways around Kyle's needs. Not to have that for a week would seem freeing and have tons of time/energy to do other things. But the reality is it has become such a routine that it wasn't normal.

Normal is so different now, I hadn't realized it until last week. Sleep patterns changed, life rythms changed. It was very strange. It wasn't normal and that was more unsettling than I would have imagined. What to do with the extra time. emotional and physical energy?

These are just observations, I am not sure if these are right or wrong.

It is nice to be back in the routine of life, it is nice to have our family back together. It may be more difficult physically but it is back to being complete.