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Parenting
The Measures We Take for Our Children (And No One Else)
By Alex Thompson
Updated: May 6, 2021
Originally Published: Sep. 5, 2015
What do you do when you’re asked to give up your own comfort for something you truly dread, all for the sake of your child? This is the moment that truly tests our resolve as parents, and no one can avoid such challenges. My own trial emerged recently when my son expressed a desire to attend a weekend sleepaway camp.
What should have been a straightforward task of completing forms and shopping for supplies quickly spiraled into a whirlwind of anxiety and uncertainty. “We’re short a counselor. Can you step in?” the trip coordinator asked. My immediate response was to consider hanging up.
“Wait, me? A camp counselor? You want me to sleep outside? Do I look like a wilderness expert?” I was taken aback.
Let me clarify: I am not an outdoors enthusiast. Camping is far from my interests. I prefer a weekend retreat with air conditioning and room service over tents and sleeping bags. The thought of foraging for food or getting lost in the woods was overwhelming.
“I’m not sure I’m the right fit for this,” I hesitated. “In fact, I might be allergic to everything out there. I don’t know how to light a fire or even sing campfire songs. Just thinking about it is making me anxious.”
But my son was already sold on the idea, and his joy depended on my willingness to step outside my comfort zone. This wasn’t just any camping adventure; I was expected to supervise a cabin full of boys. Forget my own survival—my responsibility was to ensure these boys didn’t become a snack for any wandering bears.
For my son, I was willing to set aside my own comfort for his joy, so I began my mental preparations. This was uncharted territory for me. How would I manage a group of boys while feeling completely out of place? I sought advice from a friend.
“Dude, you need to be firm. Show them who’s in charge,” he advised without missing a beat.
I felt lost. “Be firm? I don’t even know what that entails! I’m not even the head counselor. There’s probably a committee or something that makes the rules.”
Realizing sarcasm wouldn’t help, I dedicated the days leading up to the trip to preparation. I watched videos on how to survive bear encounters (don’t run!) and researched how to avoid tick bites (avoid the woods!). I packed well in advance and stocked up on hand sanitizer. I was gearing up for what I anticipated to be a challenging weekend, but with the hope of making my child happy.
As it turned out, my preparation was beneficial. Surprisingly, it only took a day of camping for my stress levels to normalize. What I hadn’t expected, however, was how much I would enjoy the experience. More importantly, my son was thriving, embracing nature and creating lasting memories with his peers.
Yes, there was dirt. And with dirt and boys comes odor. Stinky boys who resisted showers, requiring bribes to even consider washing up. (Okay, perhaps “roughing it” wasn’t entirely accurate since the camp did provide running water.) But I do wonder who thought it was a good idea to serve chili beans as part of the camping menu. Our cabin quickly became a source of strange odors and sounds, creating an atmosphere that even nearby wildlife avoided.
However, the trip concluded far too soon. My son’s smile had been constant since we arrived. On the final day, I packed up my dusty belongings and used the last of the hand sanitizer. As I glanced back at the odoriferous cabin, a small hand grasped mine.
“Dad, that was the best trip ever. I love you, Dad,” he exclaimed.
And in that moment, I was reminded of the lengths we go to for our children.
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Summary
This article discusses the sacrifices parents make for their children’s happiness, illustrated through the author’s unexpected adventure as a camp counselor. Despite initial apprehensions about camping and outdoor activities, the experience turned into a memorable bonding opportunity with his son. The narrative highlights the joy of parental love and the lengths one will go to create cherished memories.