Guinevere Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 for taking a stuffed animal to overnight camp? A boy, if that matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 Kids (people in general) tease people for absolutely nothing. So maybe yes...maybe no. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 Is he wondering, or are you wondering? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 I'm wondering. He's still a pretty innocent and "young" guy, and I really don't want that ruined by a mean kid, you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 It's not even a thought in his mind. He has had zero experience with being teased in that way, so it doesn't even occur to him. I'm thankful for that, and want to protect him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 In these situations I tell my kid it's possible someone might tease you about this (because I want to be honest and prepare him), but that I think that would be stupid and he should bring the stuffed animal and ignore any mean comments. This has worked out well. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 It is certainly possible. It would never occur to mine that they would be teased either, but I think it is squarely within the realm of possibility. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 My now thirteen year old went to camp with his bunny at ten (and eleven and twelve) and didn't have problems. It seemed like at whole bunch of kids had stuffed critters with them. But this kid also wears a purple hat with dragon wings in public and doesn't get teased for that either. He just carries himself with an attitude that says confidence. I wish I knew how he does it. (I would borrow it for myself) That said, if your son is likely to be teased then kids can find something no matter how small. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 DS14 took a stuffed animal to camp a couple of weeks ago. He was at a camp full of other geeky teens though ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 At our camp a lot of kids (boys as well as girls) have stuffies. No one gets teased. But it's a small camp and staff works with kids if there is a problem. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 No,it falls in.the same category as being teased for your pillow case, pjs, or blanket. Just be aware that its like amy trip, it could be misplaced and not come home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That70'sLisa Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 I can't tell you how many kids this age (and 2-3 years older, according to our middle school youth pastor) have stuffed critters hidden in their sleeping bags...I don't think it's unusual to still use one and bring it along. I like the idea of giving him a heads up on possible teasing, some practice to handle it, but I would also reassure him he may not encounter any at all, and he is likely not the only one bringing a stuffed friend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 No,it falls in.the same category as being teased for your pillow case, pjs, or blanket. Just be aware that its like amy trip, it could be misplaced and not come home. :iagree: My biggest concern would be that it could easily be lost or stolen, so I wouldn't have him bring a favorite stuffed animal for those reasons. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 (edited) Unfortunately, kids can be very cruel to each other and adults don't always know about everything. As a former bullied child, the first thought that popped into my head was how your son would feel if the other kids took his beloved stuffie from him and tortured/destroyed it in front of him. That is what I would think if it were my own 9 1/2 year old who also has never slept without his stuffies. I would be as tactful as possible but no, I would not allow him to take Marigold or Duncan or Sunflower to sleep away camp. That would be one of the conditions of my signing him up and I would make him promise and be sure that he could keep that promise before I ever wrote that check. Take whatever you want from this post: reasonable advice for your own situation or proof that bullied children do not just "get over it" if you think I'm weird or too controlling with ds 9 1/2. Edited July 2, 2017 by Guest 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Thanks, IEF. I talked with ds fairly bluntly when he brought his "friends" down to pack them. I just told him I thought they might get dirty or lost, and would wait for him in the van. So, they are coming to drop him off, and will pick him up at the end of camp. He was okay with that, and I feel better because he's at least safe on that score. I don't think he's easy to pick on, but his stuffed animals have been his thing since he was tiny, and I think it would really cut him to be teased in that way. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Thanks, IEF. I talked with ds fairly bluntly when he brought his "friends" down to pack them. I just told him I thought they might get dirty or lost, and would wait for him in the van. So, they are coming to drop him off, and will pick him up at the end of camp. He was okay with that, and I feel better because he's at least safe on that score. I don't think he's easy to pick on, but his stuffed animals have been his thing since he was tiny, and I think it would really cut him to be teased in that way. I think you made the right decision. It would have been terrible if anything happened to his "friends," but it would have been even worse if the other kids had made fun of him, because it would be so sad for him to lose that sweetness and that innocence and maybe even decide that he didn't want his "friends" any more as a result. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingmom Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 When I was a scout leader (yes, boy scouts. This was before Scouts Canada was co-ed, but leaders could be co-ed), I had "stuffed friend" on the camp packing list. No issues. My son took a stuffy (a small stuffed yoshi) with him to most scout camps. I think he started out as the only one. I am not sure, but I think my kids are not the only ones now. (That said, now almost 1/2 the scouts in their troop are girls.... that is new. Not sure if other boys are bringing stuffies). I do think my son got an eye roll or two about it over the years, but that is about it. Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 I know of 16yos who brought stuffies to camp. Not the absolute favorite, but a close second favorite. It wasn't a big deal, and I believe stuffier stayed in the suitcase. I'm sure some stuffies will be headed off to college... but this will be the "quirky" second string of stuffies, like the Gila monster and the softest camel EVER OHMYGAWSH I wish she'd leave it here for me to snuggle ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara.I Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 When I was a scout leader (yes, boy scouts. This was before Scouts Canada was co-ed, but leaders could be co-ed), I had "stuffed friend" on the camp packing list. No issues. My son took a stuffy (a small stuffed yoshi) with him to most scout camps. I think he started out as the only one. I am not sure, but I think my kids are not the only ones now. (That said, now almost 1/2 the scouts in their troop are girls.... that is new. Not sure if other boys are bringing stuffies). I do think my son got an eye roll or two about it over the years, but that is about it. Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk In our Cub pack stuffies definitely come along--boys bring them. Not sure if the girls did. Haven't seen troop level yet, but I kind of suspect my son will still be bringing his. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kentuckymom Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 My son is 12, and until just the last couple of scout campouts he has brought a large stuffed dog as his pillow. He also brought him to 2 different summer camps. Since he'll start backpacking soon he decided he should get used to a smaller pillow and made himself a tiny pillow at coop sewing class that he now takes along. No one made fun of him once. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 In these situations I tell my kid it's possible someone might tease you about this (because I want to be honest and prepare him), but that I think that would be stupid and he should bring the stuffed animal and ignore any mean comments. This has worked out well. brilliant!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 When my kids were that age, we tossed stuffies in the bottom of sleeping bags. Then if there was a jerk in the group, it could just get blamed on the kid sister who left it in the bag. The animal stayed protected at the bottom and it was a good way for the kiddo to feel like it was near if they really needed it, but far enough away that they could be confident without it. I agree about not sending a non-replaceable item if possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grover Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Mr 10 took his friend to camp recently I did suggest he might be teased. He shrugged and said, "I'm sure they can think of better things to tease me about". He's a pretty self sufficient guy though. I did ask him to take a second favourite, and not his "been his friend his whole life" friend. I think about half of the kids I saw (9 - 13 year olds) were carrying stuffed friends when we arrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 My 10yo brings stuffies out in public all the time. But our public is primarily homeschoolers, lol. And there's apparently a real distinction between "stuffed animals" and "plushes" that supposedly make a difference even though that makes no sense to me. Glad the OP found a solution that worked! I'd probably have done the same. If it wasn't taken well, I'd go the "Well, some kids might be jerks" route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 My 10 year old took a PACIFIER to summer camp and wasn't teased. I was shocked, frankly. So I guess it depends on the camp. She said someone asked her about it and she matter of factly said, "Because I like it and it helps me sleep better!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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