My eldest daughter has always been a bit of a lone wolf. She’s perfectly content in her own company, and while she has friends and is invited to various social gatherings, she often prefers connections that genuinely resonate with her. Conversations about historical events and literature captivate her far more than the latest trends in middle school. In some ways, she’s a miniature adult in a pre-teen’s body.
This tendency has been apparent since her kindergarten days, where she would avidly discuss the tragic fates of influential figures like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. By third grade, she was grappling with the haunting story of Anne Frank, questioning how such atrocities could happen to a child. Her reading choices have always leaned toward the past, from the bubonic plague to the Great Depression. For Christmas in fifth grade, she circled two items on her wishlist: posters of Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, both of whom inspire her deeply. I framed them, and they now adorn her room.
While I take great pride in her intellect and curiosity, keeping her entertained can be quite the challenge. Universal childhood pastimes don’t always hold her interest, though she does have a soft spot for Minecraft. School is her passion, and she excels at it, but summertime poses a dilemma. Traditional camps don’t appeal to her; the thought of doing crafts or sports with unfamiliar kids fills her with dread. Meanwhile, her younger sister thrives in the same environment, joyfully running around with friends, while my oldest often tears up at the mere mention of sleepaway camp. “Please, Mom, don’t make me go,” she implores, her voice barely above a whisper.
Occasionally, I’ve pushed her into these situations, but it rarely ends well. This summer, after completing four weeks of fascinating classes like “History of the Civil War” and “Writers’ Academy,” she approached me with a request. “Once these classes are over, I don’t want any more camp stuff. I want a week of you,” she said.
“A week of me? Doing what?” I inquired, a bit taken aback.
“I don’t know. Just hanging out. Going to the bookstore, grabbing coffee, walking the dogs, chatting,” she replied.
As a stay-at-home mom who also juggles freelance editing and writing, summer often feels like a whirlwind of deadlines and chauffeuring to various activities. I must admit I initially hesitated at her request. “Won’t you get bored spending so much time with your old mother?” I asked, a hint of doubt creeping in.
“Nope!” she responded, confidence radiating from her.
After some reflection, I decided to shift my perspective. Instead of trying to manage a packed schedule, I opted to embrace a week of “Mom Camp.” We started by dropping off her younger sister at camp, with my eldest riding shotgun for the first time. After a cheerful goodbye, we ventured over to a local cafe for lattes and lemonade, where we discussed the morning news.
Another day, we explored the Apple Store, where she impressed me by engaging in a technical discussion with a Genius Bar employee about software—topics that honestly went over my head. We took the dogs to the vet, tended to the garden, and lost ourselves in the aisles of several bookstores. Lunch, laundry, and wandering through nearby towns filled our days, all while I let my daughter take the lead.
It turned out to be a wonderful week. My daughter is delightful company. More than just a chance for her to learn something new, I realized I was the one who gained from this experience. Often, I approach summer as a series of tasks to conquer rather than a season to savor. I frantically search for activities to keep the kids busy, which leads me to compartmentalize my time—“I’ll be present for you now, but please let me have some me-time later.”
During our week of “Mom Camp,” I relinquished control of the schedule and let my daughter steer the ship. Together, we meandered through our days, embracing spontaneity instead of sticking to a rigid plan. We didn’t leave with any grand projects or trophies, but perhaps that was the point. My daughter later told me it was her favorite week of the summer, and honestly, I think it was mine too.
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Summary
In embracing a week of “Mom Camp,” Tessa Collins discovered the joy of spending quality time with her daughter, who thrives on intellectual conversations and meaningful experiences rather than traditional summer activities. This unique approach fostered connection and allowed both of them to enjoy a refreshing break from the hectic pace of summer.
Keyphrase: week of Mom Camp
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