My baby is at camp.
This morning dawned cold and wet.
Like me.
Get your mind outta the gutter. I was cold and my face was wet with tears.
My Boo is going to school camp today.
I composed myself and woke him with kisses and cuddles, breathing in his sweet smell (and ignoring the pee smell from the soaked nappy) and talking about how exciting! and fun! it is going to be at camp.
Got him in the shower and locked myself in my room for another little sook.
My Boo is going to school camp.
He helped me pack his food. He has to take all his own food, given his fucking annoying need for particular foods, cut in a particular way and of a particular colour. Sandwich, fruit, watermelon wedge in a perfectly cut wedge, sultanas, chips, 2 bottles of water. All placed in brown paper bags, marked with his name and labelled ‘lunch’, ’snack’ etc.
Clothes named, fiddle toys chosen, bag packed.
I dressed him. He looked like a fucking ROCK STAR people! With his Optimus Prime shirt, black jeans and new shoes with skulls on them.
Sat him down with a sandwich and he rocked out some riffs on the Guitar Hero while I went for another hysterical sob.
My Boo is going to school camp.
We jumped in the car to take the girls to the train station.
‘Have a fantastic time at camp Boo!’ the girls called, after smothering him in kisses.
‘You OK Mum?’ Moo asked me, noticing my eyes filled with tears.
‘Yeah’ I murmured.
Home, and double checked his bag. Gulped my coffee. Checked his bag again.
Wrote notes and instructions for medications and popped them in a baggie.
Composed myself again.
Off to school.
Kids everywhere. Parents everywhere. Toddlers running around like banshees while teachers rounded up kids to mark off rolls and hand out name tags.
Then it was time to load the bags on the bus. And I got something in my eye…
Dads patting me on the shoulder, mums squeezing my hand, his aide cuddling me whispering ‘you know he will be fine. Do something nice for you today’
Something in my eye again.
The kids line up, mothers fly at them smothering them with kisses. Kids screaming ‘Muuuum!’ Mucho rolling of kiddy eyes.
The kids jump on the bus. We stand around waiting. This usually takes ages.
But not today. Once the last kid is on the bus they leave.
Shit. I wave and wave and wave. Boo doesn’t even notice.
The dam breaks. I feel someone hugging me. A hand takes mine.
‘It’s OK, Kel. It is only for 2 nights.’
I smile through my tears. ‘Nah, Boo is not sleeping over. I am picking him up at 4′
Yeah. He is going to school camp. For the day. I am driving out there to get him at 4.
Shut the fuck up. I am pathetic, I know.
My name is Kelley and I am a helicopter mother.
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52 Responses to “My baby is at camp.”
May 7th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I’m thinking you’ll get used to this mighty quick. I did. But then again I wanted to rush to my lovers’ house for grown-up camp. Yeah, that’s the solution. Take a lover for camp’s duration - sort of a Mother’s Day gift for yourself.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Aww that’s so sweet. I was totally the same with my kids - bloody pathetic. Lucky Boo to have you
*grovel, compliment, grovel, compliment*
Was that enough?
May 7th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
New shoes with skulls on them? I bow to you, oh Queen of Shoes.
And go helicopter mother. We couldn’t leave our Jaylen away in a strange place overnight. That would so not go well.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Big hugs! I hope you did do something nice for yourself today.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Aww, I got a little something in my eye just reading this. I’m a total helicopter mom too. The first time I left my daughter for 2 whole hours. I had a panic attack in the car, in my driveway
Can you add little ‘ol me to the roll? Please, please, please…with cherries on top?
May 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I wouldn’t let mine go to camp. At all. Even for the day. Pathetic. I know.
Nice job with the blogroll images. The code I gave you was so you could display three at a time on your sidebar. It makes your readers have so much fun, refreshing the page until they see their site.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
You are not pathetic at all…I would have done the same thing. Okay, well, I am pathetic too.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
aww. I’ll be the same way. Also, I’m not sure what sort of groveling you want me to do to get on this blogroll, but I am prepared to let it all out.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Sorry, but that made me laugh.
You’re a sweetheart you know Kell???
May 7th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
That’s so sweet. You’re not pathetic. You’re a mother who loves her Boo. I still freak out when I leave my boys behind. NO ONE can take care of them the way you can, right?
Hope it all went well and you both had a great day!
PS- have I told you how pretty you look today? Cause you do.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
You are not alone… that’s all I’ll say. Plenty of parents tear up when their kids go to school camp.
Do have a good day - you certainly deserve it.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Deb on the rocks: Babe, when my girls went to camp we mums went to the Pub for lunch to celebrate!
Suze: *snort* you are on the list for the next update of the blogroll…
Hilary: Considering Boo doesn’t sleep, I think I did the teachers a favour!
Tess: yeah, spent the day on the phone and ate donuts! LM big fat AO
Sandy: Go and check, you are already on it babe!
Witchypoo: Yeah, still have the code my lovely, it is all part of my plan when I have time to update the look of my blog. Life keeps getting in the way God dammit!
Mrs Schmitty: Cool, glad to hear I am not the only pathetic mother.
Shamelessly Sassy: Hmmm, oh the things I could ask… I will put you on anyway..
Lightening: I thought it would. Us freaking out mums.
AMomToTwoBoys: Why thankyou! These shoes are gorgeous aren’t they?
Joh: Thanks babe.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I’m thinking Helicopter Mum should be a comic strip super-hero. With her undies over her tights and fabulous shoes. I think there’s money to be made here.
May 7th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I hated camp so lucky boo for been able to come home! I am sure he is having a great day but will be very happy to see you at 4pm I am sure!
I don`t know what kind of mum I will be, but I am sure I will be picking up my kids from camp early too! I don`t think they do camp in Japan though? Not sure?!
I like the idea of helicopter Mum turning into a comic strip!
I hope you survived the day Kel!
May 7th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I was exactly the same the first time … I was in tears at the bus stop and had to stop myself from blubbering in front of my friends.
Last week it was meh … I hope you packed what was on the list and thanks for the peace and quiet !
Boo will have a great time even for the day.
I love the sound of Boo’s new shoes … I want some for my little pirates.
Of course Boo takes after his cool mother in feet fashion fetish.
May 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Hilary, that’s an awesome idea - is that a bird, or a plane, no, why those shoes, it must be - helicopter mum - ta da!
You can tell I’m having people for dinner tonight for my son’s 18th cause I can’t get off the computer. I’m not the worlds greatest entertainer!
May 7th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Hugs Kelley. One day he will sleep over at school camp…
May 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Hilary: I am thinking more like Wonder Woman but wielding a spatula and the ability to turn arsehats to stone.
Lulu: He was tired but excited when I picked him up. He was doing ARCHERY when I got there *shudder*
Trish: They are MENS shoes! *sob* size 8.
Joh: *gaffaw* I hope tonight goes well for you babe. And Happy Birthday to your son!
Wendy: We are thinking perhaps next year. We have a year to build up to it. The cool thing about this camp is that it is 2 people per room so MPS or I could go with him and just lock the door and let him run riot all night.
May 7th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
helicopter all you like, hon. it’s the mother’s perogative.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
So glad it went well Kelley.
And that you enjoyed your “time off”! What was it? an extra hour on a normal school day lol.
My kids are NEVER going to camp. I have a bottle of vino on IV ATM cos they are with their dad and soon they won’t have grandparents supervision! Stuff the IV I need a straw as well!
K
May 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
That is TOO funny. You could have had a whole night’s uninterrupted sleep!!
Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m sure he had a fantastic time.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Archery! Wow! Sounds like he had fun. Maybe enough fun to get tired and sleep tonight? Or perhaps so much fun that he’s so high on it he can’t come down yet. Better get out that extra large block of chocolate and the secret stash of whatever your favourite drink is. Can’t wait to hear about all the things he did.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Big hug to you today. I can’t comprehend how difficult it must be to let your little one’s go like that.
Could I have my new blog added to the blogroll, please? I’m not above bribing with Entrecredit’s.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I’m thinking hmmm nappy, sleeping issues - no wonder Kel’s concerned…. But, just for the day - you had me going! Glad to hear he had a nice (read “incident free”) day
May 7th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Oh Kelley!
So NOT a helicopter mother!
That was a damn good post, I was hooked and then something got in my eye.
Motherhood is full of highs and lows.
Hope you both had an ok day
May 7th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
you lot have really gone soft since we started shipping ye over there….
May 7th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Aww you’re such a sook
May 7th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Planet of Janet: Bzzzzzz (that is me hovering)
Kirstie: Even less. He left at 9.30am and I had to leave to pick him up at 2.45! Sending smootches re the arsehat situation.
Tracey: Yeah, he did. He was all ‘oh muuuum!’ when I got there. It was fab.
River: He is going back on Friday. Will try and get some pictures and post about it on the weekend. And yes, he is totally hyped, about to try and tackle him into bed.
Solomon: Consider it done. Well, eventually
Meg: Almost wasn’t. He wanted to go on the zipwire! Big harnessed flying fox thing!
Tiff: Yeah we did. He is home tomorrow and then back to camp on Friday to come home with the kids.
Xbox4NappyRash: And again, bite me box boy.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Marilyn: biatch. And yeah, I am…
May 7th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I hope you’re nice and tender because biting down with these braces is a real bitch…
May 7th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I think this is so sweet! I’d probably cry, too. I’m never letting my children out of the house….
May 7th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
woot! glad he had a great day and didn’t shoot anyone at Archery
May 8th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Aw, honey, you are the awesomest mom ever!
May 8th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Can I join you in that title??
May 8th, 2008 at 12:36 am
Like, overnight camp? Uh UH. Ain’t happening. If you’re a helicopter, I’m a frick’n fortress.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:39 am
I was going to be a smart-ass, but “Well done, you.”
May 8th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Awwww…that’s sweet!
May 8th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Bless you… what else can I say? Great post.
Cheers
BC
May 8th, 2008 at 5:49 am
“Solomon: Consider it done. Well, eventually
”
Thank you very much. You win today’s prize! It will be with you shortly.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:09 am
That’s so cool! Even if it wasn’t overnight! Well done mom!
An Optimus Prime shirt… my son would love that!
May 8th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Sweetie…you need dark chocolate and red wine. Then get a grip!
He’s going to be fine! I promise, cross my heart. And he will grow up a little bit. And it will be good. I promise, cross my heart. 
May 8th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Aw, darlin’ you’re so cute.
I can’t wait to hear all about Boo’s day at camp.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Oh babe, you must have had your heart in your throat sending Boo to camp. *hugs*
Bahahaha… you told the vertically challenged boy to bite you. Are you going to get down on your knees so the little fella has a fighting chance? *sniggers*
May 8th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Hope his day at camp was as fabulous as you are.
I’ve done a little grovelling over at my blog today - http://leechbabe.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/hot-hunk-thursday-2/
May 8th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Xbox4Nappyrash: I think my ankles can handle it.
Alison: Oh I am completely different with the girls, ask anyone that comes to the door to take em.
Bettina: I nearly died when I got there and all the kids are shouting that Boo was at archery!
Mr Fab: Smootch to your big bald head.
Girl: Sure! We can be a duo!
Ange: *snort* you know there were THREE kids with Autism there sleeping over!
Iceel: You? Smartarse? Bastard, yes..
Avonlea: I would have thought more pathetic than sweet.
Babychaos: Thanks babe.
Solomon: You gotta stop giving me gifts! I might actually start expecting MPS to do the same.
Jenty: Yeah, the shirt is awesome. MPS was all ‘I want one’ and I was all eyebrows raised in smirkiness no.
Jen: *snort* yeah you are right.
Ree: thanks babe, will post what little I know soon.
Anja: I told him to chomp on my ankle, surely he can reach that high? Might get him a kiddy stool.
Marita: SCORE! Awesome, thanks babe!
May 8th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
((hugs)) Good to hear he had a ripper of a day!
Against my better judgment FB went on the full school camp for 3 days, 2 nights and had major meltdowns for a month after he got back.
Now you just have to worry when Boo asks for his own archery set
May 8th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Ahhh - ya did well go you. And go Boo.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I *totally* get it.
You should have seen me the first morning my baby went to pre-k. Can you say “blubbering idiot”???
So, she (The Diva, as we so affectionately refer to her) says to me, “Mommmm! Kids HAVE to grow up and go to school! But don’t worry, I’ll always be your baby.”
damn
They get ya, don’t they???
Hope it went smoothly and that you did something FOR YOURSELF!!! Like, hey, you could practice that “resting” thing per Dr. McQuack’s demonstration!!!
Hang in there
j
May 8th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I let Celtic Lad stay over for a cub camp. (His leader works for IHC and so gets him.)
I cried all weekend and felt sick the entire time.
They called me and gave me a run down and it was decided I would turn up early on Sunday. When he saw me, he burst into tears, but had had a fantastic time.
He and Celtic Dingo have done over nighters, and I spend the night with a knot in the pit of my stomach.
But we always get good reports back.
I hope it gets easier for you and Boo.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
You know what, though? I get it. You’re not pathetic at all. *hug* (I hope you did something nice for yourself!)
May 9th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Welcome to the blubber mummy club. My DS6 (who has issues of his own) is staying for a whole WEEK in a foreign city, with someone he’s only met ONCE before, while I am out of the COUNTRY!! God help me! I’m not ready for this.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Jayne: His own archery set? He would just eat it. And I hear that arrows are a bastard to excrete.
Imnomartha: AND I took him back again! And they made FIRE. *rocking in the corner at the thought*
Jodie: I forgot how to do that resting thing. Must go back and ask him how to do it. And then punch him in the reproductive organs.
Widdle Shamrock: Well Boo is asking to go back and he wants to sleep over. I am not sure if he knows what that means, but we have a year to work up to it. Hope the outcome is as positive as yours.
Beth:
Thanks, sometimes I feel too protective.
Naomi: I will be sending all my vibes your way babe.
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