Parenting
By Alex Rivera
Updated: May 6, 2021
Originally Published: September 5, 2015
What do you do when you’re faced with the prospect of sacrificing your own comfort for something you absolutely dread, all for the sake of your child? This is the true test of parenthood, and it’s one every parent encounters. My test arrived last month when my daughter, Lily, expressed her excitement about attending a weekend sleepaway camp.
What should have been a straightforward task of completing forms and picking up supplies from the store quickly morphed into a whirlwind of anxiety and uncertainty. “We’re short on counselors. Would you be able to help?” asked the parent organizing the trip. My first reaction was to disconnect the call.
“Wait a minute. Me? A camp counselor? You want me to sleep outside? Do I look like a wilderness expert?” I couldn’t believe it.
Allow me to elaborate. I am not a camping enthusiast. The great outdoors holds no appeal for me, and the thought of bugs the size of baseballs is enough to make my skin crawl. I prefer a getaway with all the amenities, not a tent and sleeping bag. I envisioned myself foraging for food or, even worse, getting lost in the woods without cell service.
“I’m not sure I’m cut out for this,” I said hesitantly. “Actually, I might be allergic to everything out there. I have no idea how to start a campfire or even sing a campfire song. Just thinking about it is giving me an asthma attack.” But it was futile. Lily was already invested in this adventure, and her joy depended on my willingness to step outside my comfort zone—literally.
This was not just any camping trip; I had been assigned to supervise a cabin of boys. Forget about my survival; it was my responsibility to ensure these boys didn’t become bear snacks.
Yet, for Lily’s happiness, I was ready to sacrifice my own ease for her beaming smile, high-fives, and hugs. So, I began mentally preparing for the unknown. How would I manage a group of boys while being utterly out of my element? I sought advice from my friend Mike.
“Dude, you need to be authoritative. Show them who’s in charge,” he advised without missing a beat.
I felt lost. “Be authoritative? I don’t even have a gavel to bang or a council to oversee. I am definitely not the boss here!”
Realizing that sarcasm wouldn’t help, I spent the days before the trip getting ready. I watched videos on how to survive a bear attack (don’t run!), Googled how to avoid tick bites (don’t go into the woods!), and packed days in advance, stocking up on extra hand sanitizer. I prepared as best as I could for what I expected to be a grueling weekend. Surely, I would emerge from the wilderness, weary but with a happy child.
To my surprise, the experience was not as bad as I anticipated. In fact, I found myself enjoying it. More importantly, Lily was thriving in nature, creating unforgettable memories with her fellow campers.
Yes, there was plenty of dirt. And with dirt comes smelly boys—boys who fought tooth and nail against taking showers. (Okay, I admit, the camp did have running water.) But I have to question who decided to include chili beans on the menu. Our cabin soon became a fragrant hazard, deterring even the bears from getting too close.
Sadly, the adventure concluded too quickly. Lily’s smile hadn’t faded since we arrived. As I packed my dusty belongings on our last day, I felt a little hand grasp mine.
“Daddy, that was the best trip ever! I love you, Daddy,” she beamed.
And in that moment, I remembered exactly why we make sacrifices as parents.
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In summary, the challenges of parenting often require us to step out of our comfort zones for those we love.
Keyphrase: parenting sacrifices
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