TownConnect member Janet emailed us a news story about summer camps and parent having trouble letting go.

“These days, camp leaders and family counselors say it’s an increasingly common dynamic. It used to be the homesick kid begging to come home from camp. While that still happens, they’ve noticed that it’s often parents who have more trouble letting go.

They call it “kid-sickness,” a condition attributed in large part to today’s more involved style of parenting. Observers also say it’s only being exacerbated by our ability to be in constant contact by cell phone and computer, as well as many parents’ perception that the world is a more dangerous place. For leaders at many camps, it’s meant that dealing with parents has become a huge part of their jobs. “The time and energy camp directors put into preparing parents for camp is now equal to the time they prepare children for camp,” says Peg Smith, head of the American Camp Association, which works with about 2,600 camps nationwide.”

A week or two at sleepaway camp seems like a great experience for kids and parents.  More than that seems like a mistake and loss of precious time together.   The empty nesters I know yearn for the time their kids were little and tell me how fast the time goes.

Janet, we are happy TownConnect can help parents cope with children away at camp and keep extended families updated on summer vacation stories and photos.

How has your family used TownConnect this summer?  Let us know!