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There’s no magic age that signals she’s prepared to be away from home. Keep these things in mind when making the decision.
She may be ready if she's…
independent.
Can she tie her own shoes? Get showered and dressed without your assistance? Of course counselors are there to help, but if she hasn’t mastered these life skills just yet, you might want to hold off for another year.
already had a successful night away from home.
f she’s been to a handful of sleepovers or stayed with grandma for a week without any issues, that’s a good sign. If not, build up gradually. Start with a few consecutive nights away and go from there.
able to express herself clearly.
When she’s sick, tired or uncomfortable, can she communicate it to someone other than Mom or Dad? It helps if she’s not shy when it comes to problem solving and making new friends, too.
a younger sibling.
If you have a child who has gone or will be going away for the summer, the comfort of having an older brother or sister around can make the transition a lot smoother.
