Received July 1st:

“Dear Mom,

Camp is fun.

Love,

Justin”

That’s it? You sent your son to sleepaway camp for the 1st time, didn’t hear anything for the first week and then get this? I’m calling camp, you tell your husband. No, you aren’t, he replies. The “yes, I am” “no, you aren’t” banter continues through dinner. You back down.

Letters from overnight camp can be tricky to interpret. One like the above usually means your child is having a great time, is being forced to write home and is too busy to be bothered by writing to mom or dad.

Received July 8th:

“Dear Mom,

Today was so fun. We went on an overnight and got caught in a thunder storm. Everything was soaked when we got back to camp. I cut my foot, and the other kids thought the blood was so cool.

Love,

Justin”

OK, you think, I’m definitely calling the camp. Calm down, warns your husband. They would have called us if he was badly hurt. Once again he is right. You will hear from the camp if anything serious has happened to your child. Also remember, you are receiving letters several days to a week after the news has happened.

Received July 15th:

“Dear Mom,

Did you know that salad tastes really good? Can we have it when I get home?

Love,

Justin”

You smile and decide there is no reason to call camp.  That’s it, mutters your husband, I am calling the camp. Three weeks, three “Dear Mom” letters and not one mention of the word, “dad”! You smile again.