As camp goes on, the kids get antsier and antsier. Just when I thought this was getting easier. The kids demand more of me. The first three weeks consisted of smooth sailings and redirection here and there, but these weeks can not be compared to weeks 4 and 5. My group of girls are starting to talk back and have decided not listening makes them look cool. Although I was their age once, I am reminded of how friend groups work amongst their age. See, there is a child that I adore that stirs the pot for the others. When she is absent two of my oldest girls listen to direction and have a blast dancing to YMCA on DANCE. When she is present DANCE is for babies and everything I say is wrong and everything they think is right. I am aware that children need to learn how to grow into themselves and that they do not need to change for anyone else. However, trying to teach them this has not been easy. When listening becomes uncool convincing otherwise is a learning experience for me. 

During music time, my girls were told by a counselor named Alex to sit every other chair. If looks could kill when this was said I’m not sure Alex would still be here. Once Alex left, I was greeted with sighs, upset sounds, and glaring eyes. When I asked them what was wrong they continuously complained about their seating arrangement. I told them that if another counselor told you to do this you need to listen. Continuing with, we give certain directions in order for all of you to pay attention to the musicians who volunteered their time to play music for you. Then I went into a soapbox talking about respect and how in class we recite the In’ Lak’ech poem. The poem has certain lines that say, “If I respect you.. I respect Myself and if I love you, I love myself.” I tried to connect this poem to them listening to directions and being respectful to the counselors and performers. However, —- soon after one of my older girls asked why they had to sit every other chair when the counselors get to stand next to each other. This statement was hurrahed by the other girls and I found myself trying to convince them that we were not the same age and not in the same position. 

At the end of each day, all the counselors sit in a circle to talk about our day. A seasoned counselor Alex knows all about the recent behavior of the girls and told me something I consider very valuable. She told me that the children seek consistency. She continued to say that they act the way they do because they are never told no and are not expected to carry out instructions. Our consistency was something they wanted to see and our discipline was showing them that we care. This reminded me of tough love. Caring for the kids and showing them love has to be more than smiles and a fun time. Showing them love is also expecting their best behavior, redirecting them, and holding them to standards they are capable of showing. Discipline is something that I have talked to them about in our classes. Now I am actively teaching and showing them what that looks like in a different context….

Which only means I have to repeat my directions, that they are not fond of, about 1 million times. 

See you next week!

Ladan