Get Family Activities Sent to You Weekly!

How Parents Can Deal with Young Children's Separation Anxiety: Advice from Camp Directors in Rockland County


When it comes to raising your kids, you want the best advice out there, which is why we turned to the experts.

Will this summer be your little one's first camp experience? His first time away from home and his family? Prepare for separation anxiety at camp by reading the advice we've compiled from some of Rockland County's experienced camp and summer program directors.


"How should parents deal with young children's separation anxiety?"

 

"Parents can review the schedule with their kids the week before and explain that camp is very much like school in that they don't know their teachers, who is in their class, and that everyone is starting at the same point."

-Todd Rothman, Director of Deerkill Day Camp in Suffern

 

"The important thing is to make sure when selecting a camp, that the camp places priority on this topic. Also, make sure to include your children in the camp selection process, go to the tours, and meet the directors. Knowing that kids might react with anxiety, parents should prepare kids and themselves for when and if that happens."

-Josh Male, Director of Gate Hill Camp in Stony Point

 

"Parents should encourage their children before camp starts by talking to them about all the fun they will have.  Also, if the camper has already seen the pool, the bunk, and where they will eat lunch, then there are no unrealistic expectations on the first day."

Greg Pinkham, Director, Champion Day Camp in New City

 

"The biggest issue I see is that the parents are more hesitant than the campers, so I recommend letting campers meet other campers before they go. When the parents get anxious, the kids see that."

-Monica Rosenbaum, Youth and Family Director, JCC Day Camps in West Nyack

 

"We advise parents to come visit with their children before camp starts to make them feel comfortable, and we also have an open house day for parents to meet the staff. The most important thing is to visit frequently and make sure the staff knows how to treat the child, whether it means distracting or coercing the child when parents leave."

-Gail Doroff, Director, Robin Hill Day Camps in Suffern

 

 

Also see advice on separation anxiety from camp directors in:

Manhattan

Brooklyn

Queens

Westchester County

Fairfield County, CT

Nassau County, Long Island

Suffolk County, Long Island


Want more content like this?


More Parenting Articles:

10 Checklists to Simplify the Lives of Rockland Parents

The responsibilities of a parent are endless, between planning for summer camp, preparing for school, choosing your family pediatrician, planning the ...


Latest News:

Parents Call on MTA to Remove Open-Stroller Ban on NYC Buses

New York City parents are advocating to change the open-stroller ban on NYC buses.


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.

Featured Listings:

Kreative Kids & Vicki's Dance Studio

Kreative Kids & Vicki's Dance Studio

New City, NY For over 29 years, Kreative Kids has provided a nurturing and fun-filled toddler/nursery program where classes are kept small for individualized atten...

Code Ninjas, New Jersey

Code Ninjas, New Jersey

At Code Ninjas locations in Ramsey, Midland Park, Norwood, and Saddle Brook, kids have a blast learning to code by building their very own video games...

Toyriffic2 Toy Store

Toyriffic2 Toy Store

Pomona, NY We are a unique, boutique toy store in Pomona, NY offering a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable educational t...

K & A House of Bounce Party Rentals

K & A House of Bounce Party Rentals

Hudson Valley’s premier party rental company, specializing in Jumping Castles, Bounce Houses, Inflatable & Water Slides, Interactive Rides, Dunk Tanks...