Daughter off to camp...

pulliptears

My daughter is 13 and a few months ago was watching something on TV when she saw a female pilot in the RAF being interviewed by an Air Cadet, something obviously pinged in her brain and suddenly she is one of the 'most promising young cadets' in her Unit, having progressed to First Class just a few weeks after joining. She loves it, she's a child that will stay in bed until late afternoon yet will happily be up and about for 7am on a Sunday to work with her unit.

Tomorrow they are off to annual camp for a week, she is incredibly excited whereas I'm a bag of nerves! She's been away with her Nan for a week but never like this. I'm worrying she's going to want to come home (yet my head is saying she will love it), I'm worrying she's going to miss us (my head tells me she wont have time to miss us).

Nothing worse than your littlest being all independent and growing up is there?

tanith

Let them go and they'll come back has always been my mantra... how wonderful thats she's found something worthwhile to get excited about... she'll have a wonderful time but I know what you mean its hard to let them go... send her on her way with a smile so she knows you approve and are happy for her..

jamespir

i woulnt worry i did duke of edinburgh at that age and loved camping

pulliptears

tanith wrote: »

Let them go and they'll come back has always been my mantra... how wonderful thats she's found something worthwhile to get excited about... she'll have a wonderful time but I know what you mean its hard to let them go... send her on her way with a smile so she knows you approve and are happy for her..

Dont know as it will be a big smile at 5.30am tomorrow, but yes I know what you mean. I think I'm in some parallel universe here because she's packed AND cleaned her room before she goes! This is all very strange, but rather nice in a way.

jamespir wrote: »

i woulnt worry i did duke of edinburgh at that age and loved camping

DofE is on her list of things she wants to do, she is very keen on the idea.

MX5huggy

pulliptears wrote: »

Dont know as it will be a big smile at 5.30am tomorrow, but yes I know what you mean. I think I'm in some parallel universe here because she's packed AND cleaned her room before she goes! This is all very strange, but rather nice in a way.

That's military discipline for, next she will be checking all the cup handles in the cupboard point right and the soles of your shoes are shiny.

Naide

My 14yr old son is a Sea Cadet and loves the camps! He doesn't even so much as turn around when I'm waving him off. I love the discipline which comes with Sea Cadets; his room is always tidy and I never have to get him out of bed for school or the like. His clothes are always put away and he offers to help to clean up. It's a miracle!

pulliptears

Naide wrote: »

My 14yr old son is a Sea Cadet and loves the camps! He doesn't even so much as turn around when I'm waving him off. I love the discipline which comes with Sea Cadets; his room is always tidy and I never have to get him out of bed for school or the like. His clothes are always put away and he offers to help to clean up. It's a miracle!

I'm excited now!! haha

DD was, until 3 months ago the most unmotivated dreamer in the world lol. Dont get me wrong she did well at school, but at home was in a world of her own. Her room was always a mess, she couldn't get up in a morning to save her life and she was actually quite a shy girl.

She's still quite shy and bookish, but she loves cadet nights and I'm slowly seeing her become more organised. She has ambitions to complete the DofE and rise through Cadet ranks as well.

All she's talked about all week is the possibility of them flying next week.

Mupette

I'm a mum of a 16 year old air cadet, he's been first class for a few months too, it certainly brings them back to their feet, he even washes and irons his own clothes.... just over a year ago i would of laughed if anyone would suggest that.

She will have a brilliant time, son said the food is nice..

pulliptears

Mupette wrote: »

I'm a mum of a 16 year old air cadet, he's been first class for a few months too, it certainly brings them back to their feet, he even washes and irons his own clothes.... just over a year ago i would of laughed if anyone would suggest that.

She will have a brilliant time, son said the food is nice..

See thats my other worry! Food! lol. She's a fussy devil at the best of times. That said, she went to a Cadet BBQ the other week and we caught her eating a burger! (She hates BBQ's!!)

Thanks though, I know of nobody thats been on one of these camps before so its all reassuring.

gonzo127

pulliptears wrote: »

See thats my other worry! Food! lol. She's a fussy devil at the best of times. That said, she went to a Cadet BBQ the other week and we caught her eating a burger! (She hates BBQ's!!)

Thanks though, I know of nobody thats been on one of these camps before so its all reassuring.

nothing like peer pressure to get them doing things they normally wouldnt

just be very happy she has found something that will actually get the best out of her and already sounds like its making a difference

neneromanova

I miss my Air Cadet Camping in the lake district. It was literally the best time in my life. Hiking, camping, being with people of different ages and making new friends. It was SUCH good fun I can honestly say, as a 13 year old, the last thing that came into my mind was being away from family. I did ring home once to check in and did cry, but then forgot all about it with my new friends.

Let her know that I'm jealous of her! Big Time. I hope my kids will want to do air cadets like I did.