When Homesickness Strikes: What Should Parents Do?

Sometimes it's the very kids who can't simply wait to sign up for overnight or day camps, enrichment clinics, and summer activities that become the first to be afflicted with the dreaded homesickness. When homesickness strikes, parents feel guilty, and sometimes too-quickly give in to letting their kids come or stay at home--often denying their youngster a chance to adjust to a new experience. No two kids or bouts of homesickness are alike, and I've even had a child who had acute homesickness from morning vacation bible school one year. But fun and learning prevailed, and we both were stronger by the end of the week!