As I dropped my seven (7) year old off this morning at “day camp”, it pained me to drive away. His eyes, when he said good-bye this morning, said everything I feel and have felt inside for the last 6 years. It nearly broke my heart. As the child of a single parent, he’s getting ripped off, and he knows it. He doesn’t get “summer” in the sense of hanging out, the lack of rigid routines, the entitlement of just relaxing for 90 whole days. Nope, I have to work, which means his routine is the same as it is for the nine months school is in session.
I remember when my parents sent us to camp for a summer, I hated it. I felt like my parents wanted to be rid of us for the summer. After I was grown I related this to my mother, who was dumbfounded and replied that she and my father were so excited that they had the ability to send us to camp one year!
Yes, times have changed, more and more children have to attend day care, after school care, before school care, all because we don’t seem to put the same values on what is important anymore. Marriage is certainly not what it used to be or have the same meaning it used to have. If it doesn’t work, you can get divorced. Everyone has to work these days whether it be for survival or for the extras everyone wants. It just seems wrong somehow…..
Don’t get me wrong, the summer camp he attends actually is quite inventive and has some awesome activities the kids are doing. I just recognized what he tries so hard to conceal behind those big brown eyes. He struggles as it is, as he is not the most socially adept of kids. He prefers being one on one with people or spending time alone. He’s not good yet with handling the older kids who enjoy making fun of the smaller kids.
I just keep reminding myself daily, that although I will never be able to provide him with everything he wants, I will make sure he gets everything he needs.
But really is that enough?
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