I think I've made a thread about this before, but I am now in a situation where my 9 year old child is having lengthy and loud episodes nearly EVERY night.

We are OK coping with it at home since we know it doesn't harm him, our neighbours have been educated and he will grow out of it since it's a developmental stage (his brothers both no longer have them).

HOWEVER

In 2 weeks, he will go on school camp for the first time. It's 2 nights away from home, approx 2 hours drive away, and although he will be in a cabin with 2 of his 3 best friends, his teacher (who he loves because she always gives him a hug) will NOT be going and the other 3 teachers he doesn't know so well. His teacher told me simply to not send him, but he really really wants to go.

A typical night terror episode lasts about 10-15 minutes, involves ear-piercing shrieking, screaming, drooling, trembling, running and shouting things like "I'M SCARED!!!!! DON'T!!!!! I'M GOING TO DIE!!!!" etc (like he is also having a very vivid nightmare at the same time). They are very alarming!!!

Have any other org parents had a situation like this? What did you do?

I have the opportunity to address the other parents of children attending the camp, this evening. I'm thinking to explain the situation and asking their opinions. It could work out that educating the other kids in a matter of fact way so they know what to expect and know it's no big deal, and selecting one teacher that will be his support person (that hugs him until he wakes up).

On the other hand, my child is already a target for bullies and this will give his peers yet ANOTHER reason to think he is weird. I'm very worried.

my son had problems with those a few years ago, but hasn't had them since. they used to scare me. i think you have the right idea by talking to the teacher, the kids is the tricky part, i would hate for him to get bullied over this. i hope the other kids will be kind to him instead of using this against him.

kimrachell said:

my son had problems with those a few years ago, but hasn't had them since. they used to scare me. i think you have the right idea by talking to the teacher, the kids is the tricky part, i would hate for him to get bullied over this. i hope the other kids will be kind to him instead of using this against him.

I know!!! he already has trouble fitting in because he is "quirky"

I've been taking him to a psychologist because his teacher asked for an assessment (Aspergers was likely) and she said it may be MORE harmful to him to deny him the opportunity to go and have a great time with his friends and be just like everyone else

ZombieKitten said:

kimrachell said:

my son had problems with those a few years ago, but hasn't had them since. they used to scare me. i think you have the right idea by talking to the teacher, the kids is the tricky part, i would hate for him to get bullied over this. i hope the other kids will be kind to him instead of using this against him.

I know!!! he already has trouble fitting in because he is "quirky"

I've been taking him to a psychologist because his teacher asked for an assessment (Aspergers was likely) and she said it may be MORE harmful to him to deny him the opportunity to go and have a great time with his friends and be just like everyone else

yeah, i think it would be nice if he could go, maybe it will be good for him, and a lot of fun.

Honestly, I wouldn't send him.

JustErin said:

Honestly, I wouldn't send him.

Really? How would you explain that to him?

ZombieKitten said:

JustErin said:

Honestly, I wouldn't send him.

Really? How would you explain that to him?

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

JustErin said:

ZombieKitten said:

Really? How would you explain that to him?

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

He wants to go to this one in particular because his whole class from school is going and those are the kids he knows, in particular his 3 best friends, I know my kids would not be interested in going to something where he knows nobody.

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

ZombieKitten said:

JustErin said:

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

He wants to go to this one in particular because his whole class from school is going and those are the kids he knows, in particular his 3 best friends, I know my kids would not be interested in going to something where he knows nobody.

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

That's what I would do.

ZombieKitten said:

JustErin said:

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

He wants to go to this one in particular because his whole class from school is going and those are the kids he knows, in particular his 3 best friends, I know my kids would not be interested in going to something where he knows nobody.

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

that's a great thing to do, i would do that.

brings the cost of the whole camp experience to $400

will think on it some more

To be honest I dont know anything about them... Is he fully aware of what he is doing? Is this like a sleep walker?

If he isnt aware of what he is doing, then I wouldnt send him... If he is aware and is only reacting that way because he had a bad dream then maybe sending him would help him stop that because his friends arent going to comfort him and he wont wanna be embarrased in front of them..

Tough call tho ZK, you want him to experience the joys of youth, but if in the end if it hurts him then that will be heartbreaking

I also think as cruel as kids are that if you and hubby go and stay in a motel and have him stay there at nite with you those kids will taunt him for being a mama's boy because he "cant" sleep without his mommy or daddy..

Poor guy

I agree with Erin ~ give him a safe and fun option that keeps him in his own bed !

JustErin said:

ZombieKitten said:

Really? How would you explain that to him?

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

ZombieKitten said:

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

This is a great option too !

Machaela said:

ZombieKitten said:

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

This is a great option too !

we looked into getting a campsite - $20 for an unpowered site for the night - jeez things are so ridiculously expensive! $100 for petrol there and back

The master is going to call the principal and ask about coming along to the camp as a helper.

I went to the camp meeting last night and totally got the feeling I'm on my own with this one.

ZombieKitten said:

Machaela said:

This is a great option too !

we looked into getting a campsite - $20 for an unpowered site for the night - jeez things are so ridiculously expensive! $100 for petrol there and back

The master is going to call the principal and ask about coming along to the camp as a helper.

I went to the camp meeting last night and totally got the feeling I'm on my own with this one.

kimrachell said:

ZombieKitten said:

we looked into getting a campsite - $20 for an unpowered site for the night - jeez things are so ridiculously expensive! $100 for petrol there and back

The master is going to call the principal and ask about coming along to the camp as a helper.

I went to the camp meeting last night and totally got the feeling I'm on my own with this one.

however!!!!

My husband called the principal, and he told us the vice principal is going to the camp and will meet with us and he is going to take this on board!

The principal said he's been on many camps and at this age lots of kids scream and sleepwalk and stuff and he's had plenty of experience in these things. Suddenly I feel quite confident about it!

ZombieKitten said:

kimrachell said:

however!!!!

My husband called the principal, and he told us the vice principal is going to the camp and will meet with us and he is going to take this on board!

The principal said he's been on many camps and at this age lots of kids scream and sleepwalk and stuff and he's had plenty of experience in these things. Suddenly I feel quite confident about it!

that's good news!

ZombieKitten said:

JustErin said:

Of course I don't know your son, but if it was Miles, I would explain that his night terrors might make it hard for the teachers and other kids to deal with. It's not his fault, just that he would probably be more comfortable sleeping at home.

I would try to find some day camps he could attend instead.

He wants to go to this one in particular because his whole class from school is going and those are the kids he knows, in particular his 3 best friends, I know my kids would not be interested in going to something where he knows nobody.

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

This sounds like the best idea to me. Best possible compromise.

Then if he really wants an overnight trip with his friends, make sure it's for only one night & see how it goes!

NDRU said:

ZombieKitten said:

He wants to go to this one in particular because his whole class from school is going and those are the kids he knows, in particular his 3 best friends, I know my kids would not be interested in going to something where he knows nobody.

The other thing I am looking into is one of us going up separately (he still goes on the bus), getting a motel room and picking him up at bedtime, so he can have fun with his friends all day and still have mum or dad at night. I'm willing to do it.

This sounds like the best idea to me. Best possible compromise.

Then if he really wants an overnight trip with his friends, make sure it's for only one night & see how it goes!

I liked the idea too except that makes the 2 night trip cost about $400, not including any lost income by me or the master in taking those days off work.

ZombieKitten said:

NDRU said:

This sounds like the best idea to me. Best possible compromise.

Then if he really wants an overnight trip with his friends, make sure it's for only one night & see how it goes!

I liked the idea too except that makes the 2 night trip cost about $400, not including any lost income by me or the master in taking those days off work.

but if you can afford it, then it's worth the money to not have your kid go through unnecessary additional trauma

ZombieKitten said:

My husband called the principal, and he told us the vice principal is going to the camp and will meet with us and he is going to take this on board!

The principal said he's been on many camps and at this age lots of kids scream and sleepwalk and stuff and he's had plenty of experience in these things. Suddenly I feel quite confident about it!

Sounds good. Then you can worry less about it.