I will be the first to admit that a teenager at home can be very helpful. Each child in our home has a household chore to complete everyday and of course, the more difficult jobs are assigned to the teenagers. But, do you have any idea how peaceful your home can be when every teenager is away at camp?

Three of the teenagers left this morning for a glorious week of camp. The fourth teenager leaves on Friday for a 10-day mission’s trip with our church’s youth group. This will be his third mission’s trip with nearly the same group of people.

Of the four teenagers, only one doesn’t have special needs. He is however; going through puberty so in my opinion, that puts him in the special needs category too, at least for the time being.

Lane, our 14-year-old with ADHD, claimed to have seven days worth of clothing, a swimming suit, towels, personal hygiene items, and a sleeping bag all packed into a suitcase that I’ve used as a flight carryon bag. I tried to go through the packing list with him a couple of time, to his profound annoyance, so I finally gave up.

Lyn, our 13-year-old with FAS and ADD was going to throw an open-topped beach bag stuffed with her extras into the luggage semi for the six-hour trip north. The bus and semi would be making four more stops to pick up additional campers and luggage. I was able to convince her to carry the bag on the bus with her instead.

I didn’t tell her she was going to camp until last week. When she finds out that I’m leaving or she’s leaving, it brings out her worst behavior. A couple of months ago one of my readers suggested that Lyn has a problem with self-regulating making it very stressful for her to be away from me.

The almost 18-year-old is suffering from the “I’m almost an adult and can do what I want to do blues.” It really gives them a special and endearing quality.

While I enjoy talking to my teenagers, I’m hoping to get to bed early while they’re at camp. Their favorite conversation times seem to be after bedtime. The four little ones at home still have bedtimes and actually go to bed after their baths and snacks.


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