Summercamp

"Mooooom, where's my swimming trunks"
"Mooooom, can you buy me some new slippers"
"Mooooom, where are my pants"
"Mooooom, do we have sunblock"

Joyce was visiting me yesterday, always a good time to be away from the kids a bit. Not so with summercamp right around the corner. For the umpteenth time Chris was on the phone, nervous as hell, trying to make sure everything was packed for the summercamp. Today he leaves for three whole days of fun in the sun. For the first time ever he seems to be looking forward to it.

Chris was always the little boy the other kids love to hate. He's been bullied for most his life, by both his father and the kids at school and it's left him with low self-esteem. He's covering his fears by a big mouth and trying to bully others around, in particular his mom, but it's not hard to see the little boy struggling underneath that.

Three days of summercamp in a special ed class, I don't envy the teacher. Chris is in a class with about 12 other girls and boys who have special needs. Some have ADHD like himself, but there's autism and behavioral issues as well. For the first time though, Chris seems to fit in.

I hope he has fun at Summercamp, he's sure looking forward to it, even through his nerves. Joyce went home late last night to be there for him, see him off, make sure he's got enough pants :-)