Dear Jamie,
Congratulations! You are now responsible for a bunch of little humans who might not always be the easiest to understand. Their ability to listen will depend on a myriad of factors, like the time of day—especially before breakfast and right before pick-up, when you might feel like running away to find a cozy corner to cry in. Then there’s the heat (good luck without AC!), hunger, thirst, and let’s not forget those unexpected bathroom emergencies. I trust you’ll manage just fine, though!
I hope you’ve gone through CPR training, interviews, and a thorough background check. I’m just joking—no need to panic! But I will chat with the camp director before I leave today, just to be sure everything’s in order. And no, I’m not stalking you; I’m just a concerned mom. After all, you probably view your own mom as a bit of a buzzkill now, but one day you’ll see just how wise she really is.
This summer could be a real game-changer for you. Many teens haven’t spent much time around young kids, and after this experience, some may decide they want nothing to do with parenting! Trust me, a group of wild children is the best form of birth control. Your parents are quite clever for encouraging this job. Or, you could be one of the rare ones who finds kids adorable after just a few weeks of care, but really, having kids is an adult’s job—no matter what reality TV shows might suggest.
I don’t mean to overwhelm you with this letter; I simply want to highlight how important your role is. While I’m working hard, you’ll be creating memories that my children will carry with them for years. So please, be the kind and fun counselor, not the one they remember as the “mean blonde.”
If things go south, you might not get called back next summer, and that would look bad if you’re using this experience for your college applications. You have the power to significantly impact these kids’ lives. It’s a big responsibility, isn’t it? But remember, don’t let it go to your head—your fellow counselors might not appreciate that!
You will form friendships with your co-counselors, which is great, but keep in mind your primary duty is the kids. They depend on you for everything: applying sunscreen, bug spray, and even cleaning up after they’ve had too much candy. Seriously, do you want to be the counselor who helps kids who just hurled after a roller coaster ride?
Anyway, I’m excited for you! You’ll meet so many amazing people and might just forge friendships that last a lifetime. But the most crucial part is ensuring my kids are safe and happy every day.
Please don’t take this as a threat; I’m just a caring mom looking out for her kids!
Wishing you a fantastic summer ahead!
Sincerely,
Lila, Jack and Taylor’s Mom