My sons on a PGL holiday and wont stop crying!!

bootman

My 9 year old has gone away to PGL Boreatton for 4 nights. He went yesterday and was so excited. He has gone with a friend.

At 7pm I had a phone call from one of the staff with him in the room saying he was really upset and missing home. He had only been there 7 hours!!

She asked if I would speak to him. Well you can guess the conversation, wanting to come home, sobbing. What could I do or say to make it better really?? He said to me that they had told him he could come home in the morning!! I told him no, he was there till saturday.

He's a tough little lad really who finds it easy to make friends and never wants to be at home always wants to be playing out with friends when he is here. So I felt he would really enjoy structured activities.

I think she must have been hopeing I would say of course I will come and pick you up early.

They state in all their blurb that their staff are trained to deal with night time upset, first time away tears and all that.

I don't mind that they called to tell me but surely they should not have hinted that he could come home early or ring to tell me would I speak to him with him sat right there listening to the call.

Am I being a mean mum? I told them to be a bit tougher with him else he wont give up.

I called this morning to see if he was any better today. He has still cried this morning giving every reason possible to come home. But has gone off to do his activities.

She said she was concerned he would start upsetting the other children.

Surlely he is not the first child to do this?

I feel I can't leave the house in case I miss a call from them now. My husband and I had planned a night away tonight but I have cancelled it as it puts us even further away than the 2 hours we already are from him.

Do you think I am mean?

richardw

No, tell him to get on with it. They'll get him involved and you will soon be forgotton.

saveapenny

No your not mean
Cant you give them a mobile number and just play it by ear.
Like you said he wont be the first child that as suufered with homesickness they should deal with it and I am sure as soon as he gets into the activaties he will be fine.
You could call him and say to him see how it goes and mom will ring you each night and he should give it time to settle and if he still wants come hom,e tomorrow you will fetch him that way he wont feel like hes all alone
I really hope he settles and dont worry

wigginsmum

He's 9, not 5, so I'd say you're right to expect him to stay. I wouldn't ring him all the time either or it might make him worse. Once he starts getting involved with the activities, he'll forget about you. I'm sorry you've had to cancel your night away.

melancholly

and also remember that homesickness is always worse when mum or dad are on the other end of the phone! he won't be as bad as he was when he spoke to you for the rest of the time.

lyla

im surprised they rang you too. my ds went there in july for a week and he loved it. my dd went to a similar one a couple of years ago and her friend apparantly spent every night crying and keeping the whole dorm awake but they never let her ring home as it was one of their policies only to phone if there was a real emergency ! im sure he'll be fine once hes busy doing the activities and then he should be tired out so he should sleep well. i know you will be worrying till hes home though - i always do.

inkie

He will be fine - and when he comes home on Sat, will be asking if he can go again next year. Sounds like the staff are being a bit panicky over somehting and nothing!

chatta

Poor you, I remember when I was in senior school and went away I was homesick But now I look back and was glad I stuck it out. It's a compliment really means you have a nice home he misses It must be a dilemma for the carers, if they dont let you know he is upset you could complain and if they do let you know they are guilty of not dealing with the problem.

richardw

Have you re-booked the night away with your husband?

Rachie_B

i agree with wigginsmum though TBH

sorry you felt you had to cancel your plans

nearlyrich

It's tough being a parent, I think as part of growing up children need to spend time away from parents and you need some quality time as adults. If he was involved in planning the holiday and he wanted to go he should stick it out, I bet he will be having a good time doing all the activities whilst you are feeling bad about him missing you.