[qs mom]

Q has been at summer camp since Sunday. I miss him so much I can't believe it.

He must be doing well. I haven't been called to come pick him up.

Tuesday was particularly hard, it was our Gotcha Day. I acually cried. We usually do something special on that day.

My dad is really missing him too. He keeps asking if I've heard from "squirt". Mom, not so much. She's kind of enjoying the quiet. Although she hasn't had to watch him in 3 weeks. I haven't worked in 4 weeks due to my surgery.

[lucyjoy]

Isn't it nice to get a chance to realize you do miss him when he is gone?

I hope he is having a great time and that he will be able to tell you all about it when he gets back!

Enjoy your time-he may be extra needy when he gets back!

[Lylac]

I know exactly what you mean! When we have to leave the kids, I miss them before we've even pulled out from the driveway of their grandparents.

I'm sorry your gottcha day was a sad one. But I'm like lucy, he'll have so much to tell you, and ya'll can do something extra special when he gets home.

[qs mom]

Well, I pick up my baby in the morning. How long until I want to ship him back again?

Do you think he'll start getting on my nerves immediately? On the 1 1/2 hour drive home? After we get home?

Oh, but I miss him so much. If he knows what's good for him, he better run up to me and give a big, tight hug and not want to let go!

Although, he may not, because he'll be afraid of hurting my belly. But the week with him gone has done wonders for my healing. Four more weeks off of work!

[athikers]

I'm glad you were able to get a "break" this week (is recovering from surgery REALLY a break) and I hope your boy is super excited to see his mama!

[qs mom]

Well, first of all, NO HUGS or KISSES or excitement. It was "oh, hi mom". Disappointing.

But, I don't know who this child is. He is so calm and has been all day. He had one tiny, short little burst of anger and that was because he didn't want to have a nap. But he fell asleep for an hourish. His counselor said that they had to wake him up this morning and that he gave them a hard time about it.

He is SO different that I'm kind of worried. I asked him if anyone hurt him or if anything happened at camp and he said no. I told him that it is ok to talk to me no matter what, even if someone tells him not to. But he says nothing happened.

We stopped for a bite to eat. He went to the bathroom and said he threw up. In 5 years, this is the 3rd time this has happened. He really was not himself in the restuarant for the most part. He finally was himself and goofed off a little, ate some fries and shared the most awesome chocolate mousse/peanut butter fudge pie ever with me.

Actually he is like a normal child today. No, dancing, no bouncing, no spinning, no meanies, no disrespect. Yes, please, no thank you, yes ma'am, no ma'am all day. I thought having a kid like this would be great. But he's creeping me out! It's just NOT my Q!!

Maybe he'll be back to 'normal' tomorrow.

[Kerbchek]

Has he gone back to normal yet? Maybe he missed you too, but just didn't really know it... and wasn't sure what to do with those feelings?? Hmmm...

[qs mom]

Sorry I didn't post sooner. I've been without access for a bit.

Anyway, he's still out of sorts. I think he was mad and feeling abondoned while at camp even though he had a good time. So, that anger has been coming out this week.

We had a birthday party yesterday. It was a baby's 1st birthday party. He was horrible. I took him and put him a time in with me for a bit and let him go play some more. About 15 minutes later, all the kids are complaining that he's throwing sand. So, I told him we were leaving. We said goodbye and left.

I was so mad. I really laid into him. Bad mom. I told him that is why no one asks us to come over to visit. Because they don't want him and his nastiness around.

[aMarylandfamily]

Our experience has been that the child who is so scared to go can't believe what a good time they are having when at camp and then start to feel guilty for feeling that way and then when it is over are sad, disappointed and seeing Mom & Dad (adopted and/or bio - it doesn't make any difference) brings back the reality of life and that in a way is heartbreaking to them after such an exciting time - yes, they may have been homesick but easily overcame that when you weren't there so - here you are - and they can't say yes, I had a good time and no, I didn't miss you (some but not much) and all those things so in turn become cranky and out of sorts and even misbehave some to cover the emotions they aren't sure what they are feeling - so it really has nothing to do with you or home - just part of life -

This is where structure of home has to be consistent and stable for what they know and with a few days (or even many sometimes) they return to the child you knew - although they have grown some inside and out!

Be patient, consistent and stick to life as he knows it as even the best of time doesn't mean they don't crave their security.

Hope this helps.