School residential trip

[mrspinksnow]

My dd (10) and her class are planning a school residential trip in June for 4 nights. My dd has never been to a sleepover before except for grandparents and has no desire to as she likes having people here and being at home. She says she wants to go on the trip as she'll enjoy the activities but is worried about being away for so long and sleeping somewhere else. I'd like her to give it a try but don't want her to be upset wwyd? Let her give it a shot or say she is too young? In my opinion 4 nights is too long for this age group but that is the only option for this trip!

Most schools do residentials at that age. Staff are used to keeping them busy and distracted if homesick. She Will be fine and with her friends.

If she wants to go I'd let her. Could she have a couple of nights away at grandparents beforehand?

Let her go. Positively encourage it.

4 nights with school friends in y5/6 is perfectly standard and not at all young. It sets up the ability to go abroad in y7 (eg DD's school did 2 nights in France) leading to more later on.

If she is a bit homesick she'll have friends around to jolly her along. Plus anyway they keep them really busy on these trips that she probably won't have time to get too homesick and will be so tired out she'll be out like a light.

I was concerned DD2 would struggle for her y5 trip. She had never had a night away without me (and was young for her age), so we did a 1 night stay at friends as prep. I was concerned she wouldn't want to get on the coach. But she did go, and had a good time, and it boosted her confidence no end.

Tell her it is a wonderful adventure and that she'll have a great time. And keep your own worries to yourself so she doesn't pick up on them.

Let her go and encourage her! At our school, they do residentials starting in year 4.

4 nights is a pretty standard residential as the PP suggested. It will be good for her to have some independence.

4 nights is definitely not out of the ordinary for that age group.

What puts her off sleepovers generally? Do her friends not have them for their birthdays etc?

My ds ten had never slept away from home at all. He loved the school trip!

Thanks all, yes I have been really positive about it all from the outset. I am telling her how much fun she will have and I know that she will be delighted with herself if she does it. She has stayed at grandparents houses without us but sometimes will get upset when doing that. Her friends haven't ever invited her to sleepover as I think she's made it known that she'd prefer to be at home!

I had the same worries but my dc was fine, both were fine and both came back exhausted and slept for the rest of the day and night so that was a bonus. The teachers know children will be scared and want to come home, so remind her that they will be able to support her plus they do so much in the day they are ready for sleep at night

Entirely depends on the child. For many many kids this is the perfect age. My DTs went last month (Y6) and honestly they all had a ball. Super organised farm trip which is legendary in the school. Feeding pigs, board games, baby lambs, country walks and hot chocolate.

My older DS at the same age- not so much. He has adhd and anxiety and it was quite clearly not going to work for him. We bigged it up, the teachers chatted over and over about it. But in the end it just was the wrong time for him.

I’d assume she’s going and prepare to pull out later on maybe.

It’s a rite of passage and a good confidence booster at that age OP.
My kids each went away during P7 (aged 10) for a week to the Isle of Arran with their primary school, and had a whale of a time, despite DD1 being autistic. I think it helped prepare them for the transfer to high school the following year.

Babdoc - I think it'd be better if she was in p7 but as she is at a small school they only run them every second year for p6 and7 and she is a p6. I know that it is good for them etc etc but I can't help feeling that it is young. She will go and try it but I wouldn't want her to stick it out if she is really upset, time will tell I guess