Like many students home from college, I looked forward to spending quality time with my siblings for the summer. After spending the entire year away from home, I was excited to come home and have family dinners, movie nights, and vacations. However, this excitement was instantly diminished once I saw the family calendar. Just a few short weeks after getting home from college eight hours away, I found out that my younger brother and younger sister would be leaving for summer sleep-away camp—on the same day! My summer dreams of sister slumber parties and brother barbecuing were over.
For all my temporary only children out there, take some of the following advice and you'll be sure to have a not-so-miserable, sibling-less summer!
First of all, be sure to spend as much time as you can with your siblings before they leave. Cherish the time because it will be over before you know it. Take them on fun adventures to the pool, the mall, the movie theater and anything else they want to do. Give them your undivided attention so that when they're away, they'll remember how much fun they always have with you!
Next, help them pack! They are most likely going to need a lot of clothes, supplies and games if they are going to overnight camp. Run them on errands to relieve some of their stress. Make sure to tell them that their bags will get packed, even if they have to stay up late the night before to finish! Let them know that you are there for them for whatever they need. After all, you are their older sibling!
Finally, get them excited for their trips! Have them review everything they're looking forward to this summer. Make them list all of their friends that they are excited to see. Brag to them about how many letters you’re going to write to them. Subtly show them how sad you are that they are leaving and how much you’re going to miss them, but don’t make it obvious, otherwise they'll be sad!
When your siblings finally do get on the big bus for camp or trip, give them huge hugs! Tell them that you’re going to miss them, but that you hope they have an amazing time! Inform them that home will be so boring anyway, so they're not missing anything by being away. If they shed a few tears, be the great older sibling and allay any fears and comfort them. After all, what more could you want in a big sister or brother? Wave goodbye through the window and know that they are going to have a fabulous time!
Once they are gone, be sure to send them tons of letters and special packages to know that you are thinking of them. Ask them questions in the letter to show that you are interested. However, don’t expect too much back; they’re having too much fun to write in detail! In addition, religiously check the camp website (if they have one) to see if any photos of your smiling sibling are uploaded. I guarantee the excitement you will feel when seeing their familiar, beaming face is out of this world!
Although you will miss them greatly, don’t forget about your parents! The beauty of being a temporary only child is that you get all of the perks of being an only child for a few weeks, without actually being one for life. Relish in all of the attention and enjoy the time with your parents. After all, you have been away for quite a long time. I promise the time will fly by and you will be reunited with your siblings before you know it.
This time at home, away from them, will remind you how much you love having siblings! Younger siblings look up to us so much and we are gifted with the responsibility of helping them/watching them grow up. As for right now, enjoy the quietness of your house, because as us older siblings know, it won’t last long!
