Top 10 Reasons Why I Wish I Was At Junior High Camp

Let me first preface this post with expressing my gratitude for all the hard working youth pastors who have sacrificed their time, energy and sleep to be with teenagers at summer camps. I happen to be married to an amazing youth pastor who graciously serves others and is following the call placed on his life to minister to youth. I have also spent summers in college working at camps and know what an amazing gift they are in shaping the lives of young people and their walk with the Lord. This is in no way meant to belittle the sacrifice that youth pastors make. Let me also say I love my daughter and would do anything for her. She is a miracle and I do not take a second I have with her for granted...but let's be honest all moms need a break.

My hubby has spent the last week at senior high camp and this week is currently at junior high camp. I know that he is tired and that junior highers are exhausting but I would gladly switch places.Why would I love to switch places with my youth pastor hubby and go to junior high camp?

10.) Sleeping through the night. Not being woken up in the middle of the night by a crying baby gagging and throwing up. Yup, this happened this week...nothing like a sick baby to top off the youth pastor-wife-single-parenthood week I am having.
9.) No laundry. Not dealing with the 4 loads of puke sheets and towels which resulted from the mid sleep puke alarm also known as my precious daughter would be a nice change or routine.
8.) Paint wars. Hubby called me last night just as they were about to run around and chase each other through paint. This may seem like an unlikely jealousy, but the thought of making giant messes which I do not have to clean up thrills this OCD mama's soul.
7.) Free time. There is no such thing as free time for moms. Maybe mamas of teenagers (who's kids are at said camp) but in the lives of toddler mamas free time involves the 30 seconds it takes for my soon to be 2 year old daughter to notice I have left the room and I'm in the bathroom and then barges in saying "mama" "potty", while she proceeds to disrobe and attempt to sit on her potty chair.
6.) Swimming. Now this I know involves hormone crazed teenagers...but swimming can be enjoyed when it doesn't involve my eyes and hands glued to my toddler. The precious and very curious toddler whom hasn't had swimming lessons yet because the YMCA lessons were filled months in advanced. Oh and to be able to take a relaxing dip in a pool and lay out in the sun.
5.) Worship and Chapel services twice a day. I would give anything to be able to stop everything I'm doing and have an allotted time to worship and to hear the Word. I know that this can happen here at home, but to have the intentional time set aside and hear a speaker encouraging me in my walk with Christ twice a day for 5 days??? Yes please!
4.) No bad hair days. At camp there are no worries of bad hair. Everyone knows it's camp and the bad hair day ponytail or messy bun becomes a fashion icon and is expected. This however is not acceptable when you are the one at home keeping the home fires burning...you see the reason I'm home and not with my amazing hubby and a few hundred junior highers is because I have a "real" job, and by "real" job I mean one in addition to being a mom. One that I have to get dressed somewhat presentably for and actually do my hair.
3.) Curious George vs. cabin girl talk. My dream week spent at junior high camp wouldn't involve a little girl talk with some boy crazy campers, not watching Curious George continuously. As a result of my sick baby we spent many hours on the couch watching episode after episode of the curious little monkey. Now any other time I would not plant my child in front of the TV, but her sick patheticness called for extra cuddle time and anything that makes her feel better. It just so happens that the thing that makes her feel better involves the man with the yellow hat and a little monkey's antics.
2.) Appreciation. I'm sure there is nothing that could make this mama appreciate the toddler stage I find myself in better than a week with adolescent teenagers. But right now the thought of a toddler melt down is exhausting. So many times we think the grass is greener on the other side and until we cross the fence we don't realize that the grass on the other side is just as stinky, loud, obnoxious, and cranky. Well, I guess those could by synonymous for toddler hood and junior high.
And the # 1 reason I wish I could go to Junior High Camp instead of stay home is...
1.) Three meals a day none of which I have to plan, shop for, cook or clean up.

Even though I am exhausted, lonely, and a little jealous of the fun times my husband is having this week, I am grateful for the higher calling my husband has. I know that the time he is spending at camp and the tears I am crying at home are not wasted. I pray that lives are changed as a result of his service and time at camp. I am choosing to live fully present in the moment.