What Makes a Child a Wimp?
Is it personality traits inborn in you? Is it parental influence or "coddling", as I"ve heard it called? Is it life experience or lack of it? What makes a child a "wimp"??
I ask this not about my own children (although I do have concerns for Kendyll most days!), but about myself.
What made me such a wimp, a dork, a wussy baby, or any other term you choose to use (don't tell me what terms you decide on, by the way!), in my younger years especially? And, those who knew me then KNOW what I'm talking about!
The reason I bring up the topic of my embarrassing personality traits is the memories that many of us have been sharing about our dear childhood Christian camp, Iron Springs. It is officially closing shop, so many of us have been sharing flashbacks of our time there through blogs. Many of these girls I grew up knowing, went to college with, lived with at ACU, and now are still close friends with. Others I have lost contact with but have read about them through these blog interactions about ISCC.
But, what has been funniest to me is to remember those early days, not necessarily with fondness, but with this embarrassing humiliation of what a total wimpy kid I was! Although there are many stories I could share about my inability to "let loose and have fun", I'll just share the worst one of all. Now, remember most of these girls are now some of my very best friends, but that first year (fifth grade), I had my doubts about them. They were just so crazy! I mean, doing things "against the rules", staying up all night, having "no pants naptime", just to name a few. They made this little girl a little nervous. So, it was decided that one of the last nights would be all-night "Ghost Story Night"....it was apparently enjoyed by all....except me. I went and stayed in my PARENT'S CABIN so that I wouldn't be scared! (my dad was our youth minister and stayed in the director's cabin) Oh, it's embarrassing to even type...and this was 20 years ago!! The thought of doing many of the things other campers did (the huge tree swing, water wars, sneaking out of the cabin, etc. etc.) were unheard of to me and nothing I ever participated in.
I'm glad to say that I've changed in some ways and become a little more "fun"....but, really, not that much. I'm still a rules follower, still don't like anything dangerous, and would still rather sleep in the safety of my bed than be wild and rowdy late into the night.
So, what makes me such a wimp? So serious? So careful? So in need of predictability? And, how do I create a balance within my own child, who already exhibits these exact qualities of mine?! I don't want her to leave church camp the first year because she's too wimpy to handle it...but I'm telling you right now, I can see her doing it!
Anyway, a random post, and pretty much an open invitation for my good ole church camp friends to rag on me a little more. I love you Ang, Tam, Sara, Candice, & Rachel, (even though I took a few years to 'warm up') and I love our memories of our "formative years" together---who would have imagined the lifelong friendships we would develop back when we were lanky, awkward preteens. With some a little more awkward than others....
7 comments:
Candice and I decided you aren't in any of Joan's camp pictures on her blog because you were hanging out with your parents. Don't worry, it just means you won't be totally humiliated by the huge sunglasses like we are...I'm sure you had them, too. All the cool kids did. I bet I can find an embarrassing picture of you to make up for it... bachelorette party...ringing any bells??? If you haven't seen the camp pics go to www.travelwithjoan.blogspot.com
they are hilarious!!
In your defense that first year of camp, you had just moved to Ft. Worth and you knew nobody from your youth group. HOWEVER, that excuse can only be made for the first year of camp. I can't explain why you never did the swing or water wars. I mean I think we all got into that when we were about 14 and trying so desperately hard to act "mature" and water wars just got our "permy hair" messed up (actually we probably would have been blinded due to all of the hairspray we had in our hair). You've always been the safe one. Yes, maybe you do need to "let your hair down" a little bit but we'll keep you the way you are. But watch what you ask for. God has a way of hearing our words and comes to take us to a place WAY out of our comfort zones.
Favorite memory: "What would Jesus do?" (asked 150 million times)
Ok, I think that you should be proud of yourself for being cautious. It's much better than being a "wild child." I'm sure you'll only hope that Kendyl turns out to be the terrific woman you have. See, if you would've taken your pants off, who knows what that would've led to...:). Don't beat yourself up, we all have our problems. I mean, look at my hair in those pictures.
Ang, I do agree about the sunglasses..wow. I can't say that I had any of those, but does that really surprise you all that much? And, yes, I saw Joan's blog, which is what actually sparked my blog tonight. I don't even really remember WHO Joan was! Does that tell you anything?! And, I did notice my beautiful face was lacking from each picture, which is what made me start thinking...man, I really was with my mommy the whole time! :)
Sara, you're right about the tough move that summer. But, really, I'm afraid I would have been that way regardless, as sad as that is! And, yes, the water wars was never a fear thing...it was a hair thing. Again, nothing surprising, seeing that I had helmet hair the entire time in college.
Tam, I was cracking up out loud about the no pants comment. Who knows who I would have become had I participated!! ha ha. I do remember our long "Scott and Kevin" talks during camp--those were definitely my not-so-cautious years...
Love you girls.
Girl...I totally didn't know good 'ole Iron Springs was closing. I went there for a few years myself and have some fond (and not so fond) memories too (as a camper and later when I interned in college as a counselor). In fact, I have some funny Lacy Litton stories from there that make me smile every time I think about them!
All that to say, I love reading your blog because it makes me realize how similiar we are -- I am a wimp all the way (and usually proud of that). Kevin makes fun of me still all the time that I am overly cautious about things...Sam has inherited this trait from me I'm afraid!
All I can say is, "Wow, there IS hope for Kylie!" Girl, if she turns out as sweet, thoughtful, and together as you are, I will be delighted.
I would love to see some of these pictures that everyone keeps talking about. I don't know what causes "wimpyness", but I'm the exact same way. I think mine may be due to my cautious nature, but also partly because of my mom's cautious ways. I can think of at least 50 things that my mom said, "Don't do _____ or _____ will happen!" or "You better watch out, once I heard that someone did such and such and this (insert freak accident) happened. As a result, I find myself afraid of lots of things because of what might happen. I find myself saying these same type things to Mary Alice. I agree with everyone else, if my cautious Mary Alice turns out to be as thoughtful, kind, and concientious as you are, I'll be thrilled!
And Chelsea, if you have some funny camp pictures laying around your house, they should be shared with us, please?
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