Tomorrow, while so many others are oohing and ahhhing over Kate’s dress, and wondering whether or not William will cover his bald patch (bad Jo), I will be fretting over my little girl.
You see, Miss E is off to her first Guide Camp, and blame it on the hormones or blame it just on being a Mum, I’m worrying.
She’ll be away from tomorrow till Monday, probably having the time of her life, but she’s only 10 and she’ll be away with a group of mostly fourteen-year-olds, and she’s my baby.
When I was out in town recently I saw one of her teachers who told me what a lovely little girl she is, and that she IS still ‘a little girl’ while so many other kids in her year are in such a hurry to grow up.
Being an August birthday it’s inevitable that she will seem younger than some of her friends, and I am so glad that my child is still happy to be a kid, but sometimes I worry that it means she will miss out on a bit of the ‘nurturing’ you know?
She’ll be one of the youngest kids there. She’ll definitely be one of the smallest kids there, and she’s fairly shy, so I suppose I’m kind of worried she’ll be overlooked, you know, not given the time/attention/support she needs.
I know, I know, if this was one of my friends talking I would reassure them that without a doubt, because she is the youngest, she will be watched over and cared for by everyone she is with, but this is my kid so I am allowed to wallow in worry for just a little while ok?
Tonight I am packing her holdall and creating a perfect bedding roll to which we will add her favourite Teddy which is on the ‘kit list’ as an essential item thank bob, and tomorrow, much like a certain Mrs Middleton, I will put on a big smile and wave my little girl off to a new adventure, but inside I will possibly be crying a little, as well as feeling immensely proud.
And if any of you want to know what the princess will be wearing on her big day it will be mostly blue, but that’s just my princess. I’m not really too fussed about the other one, though Miss M would quite like her to wear a mermaids tale.
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April 28th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
ah the good old days of camps and masks.
April 28th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Awwww Arjan, I bet you were such a cute little boy scout.
April 28th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
You would be amazed at how much those big brash 14 year olds actually dote on,and look after the littlies. The Guiders do recognise the younger girls as needing that extra bit of support and they will keep an eye on her. She will come back dirty, tired, teary but don’t doubt for one minute that she will have a ball. The girls only atmosphere mixed with the whole camping experience makes for the most special and wonderful time and creates experiences she will hold with her for a life time. So you are spot on, you really don’t need to worry, she will be fine …love from a Guider xxx
April 28th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Thank you so so much Kellogsville, that means the world. I will sleep a lot easier tonight.
April 28th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
My daughter is 9, and I love that she still wants to do all the “little girl” things. Sometimes, when she’s with older girls, I see her trying to be more grown up, but she always goes right back to acting her age. As she should.
April 29th, 2011 at 3:46 am
Definitely. It’s a scary age sometimes though isn’t it? You can see them floundering a little between the two and you don’t know whether to step in or stand back and let them be. I mostly do the second with lots of added cuddles.
April 29th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
I am an August baby too, and I was always short, and always looked young for my age (boy, I wish that last bit was still true—but I AM still short–Booooo!) So, I understand all you mentioned… but rest assured she will be fine, and SHE WILL have a great time. I went to camp for 7 whole days at a time starting at age 9, and the older kids always did look out for the younger ones in big group activities and the like. She will be having such a good time you can take comfort that she will have all sorts of tales to tell when she returns!
July 30th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Susan she had such a good time bless her. She had a go at everything, laughed a lot and cooked beans. Proud Mummy.
April 30th, 2011 at 7:27 am
My first camp was with your gran and the Brownies. It was absolutely brilliant, and Miss E will be having an amazing time too
July 7th, 2011 at 9:31 am
She did Rosie, she absolutely loved it. We did pretty well as Brownies going aay that young didn’t we? Although having my Gran there definitely helped.