My Child is Excited for Camp… So Why Am I Anxious?: Tips for Parents Who Need Help Letting Go
Sending your child off to sleepaway camp can feel like a milestone—for them and for you. While many parents count down the days with excitement, others are surprised to find themselves feeling stressed, emotional, or anxious.
If you’re feeling a little off as camp season approaches, you’re not alone. Whether it’s your child’s first summer away or their fifth, this kind of separation can bring up big feelings. Here are some tips for managing the very real stress that can come with letting your kids “go” for the summer:
1. Name It to Tame It
It’s normal to feel anxious when your child is out of your care for weeks at a time. Whether you’re worried about their safety, their social experience, or just how you’ll manage at home without them, acknowledging those feelings (instead of pushing them away) is the first step to coping. Try saying to yourself: “I’m feeling anxious because I love my child, and letting go is hard. That doesn’t mean something bad will happen—it just means I care.”
2. Don’t Compare (Seriously, Don’t!)
Maybe your neighbor started packing for camp back in March with zero visible nerves, or your friend swears her daughter never once got homesick. That’s their reality. Just because someone else makes it look easy doesn’t mean it should feel easy for you. Every parent-child relationship is different, and your emotions are valid…even if they don’t match what others are showing.
3. Prep Your Child (It’ll Help You, Too)
One of the best ways to ease your own anxiety is to prepare your child ahead of time. When you’ve taken the time to talk through situations they may encounter and helped them practice how to handle things, it gives you peace of mind, too.
Cover things like:
What’s okay and what’s not. Talk about body boundaries, personal space, and what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable. Make sure they know they can talk to a trusted adult at camp.
How to advocate for themselves. Practice simple phrases they can use if they need help, don’t like something, or want to say no. (“Can I talk to my counselor?” or “I’d rather not do that.”)
Camp basics. Show them how to keep track of their stuff, what to do if they lose something, and how to write a letter home.
Empowering your child with tools and language makes them feel more confident—and helps you breathe a little easier knowing you’ve equipped them with what they need.
4. Focus on the Growth… Even If It’s Hard
One of the most powerful things about sleepaway camp is how much kids grow. They develop independence, resilience, and confidence. That growth often comes with some bumps—like tough bunkmates, homesickness, or learning to do laundry—but those challenges often lead to the most meaningful growth. Remind yourself: Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it’s bad.
5. Find Comfort in Your Routine
While your child adjusts to new routines at camp, it can help to stick to your own. Make plans with friends, cook your favorite dinner, or take that walk you usually don’t have time for. When you take care of yourself, you’re also modeling healthy coping for your child—even from afar.
6. Write Letters (Mindfully)
Camp letters are a time-honored tradition, but be mindful of the tone. It’s okay to say you miss them—but skip the heavy lines like “The house is so empty without you” or “I cry every time I walk past your room.” Keep letters upbeat and encouraging, and save the deeper emotions for your spouse, a friend, or your own therapist.
7. Create a Support Squad
You’re probably not the only one feeling this way. Whether it’s a group chat with other parents or just a check-in with friends whose kids are also away, it helps to connect with others who get it. Share tips, swap stories, or just laugh together about how weirdly quiet your house is now.
8. Trust What You’ve Built
At the end of the day, you’ve spent years instilling values, confidence, and strength in your child. Camp gives them a place to practice all of that. When you feel anxious, remind yourself: I’ve prepared them for this.
Letting go—even just for a few weeks—is not easy. But it’s also a powerful gift. As your child heads off with their duffel bags, remind yourself that this experience can be transformative for both of you.
And when the letters come home saying, “I need more socks,” or “Everyone else is allowed to have Snapchat,” take it as a sign that your child is learning, growing, and becoming their own person—exactly what you’ve raised them to do.
This summer, don’t forget to care for yourself, too. While your child is gaining independence, it’s a great time to check in on your own mental health. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, parenting stress, or just adjusting to the quiet, our team of compassionate therapists is here to support you. Reach out to explore working with someone on our team—because your well-being matters, too.
