All the nags I didn't nag

I practically bit my tongue off during this week of Boy Scout camping, trying hard NOT to tell Teddy what to do, wear, say.  I didn't want to embarrass him in front of his friends, and also wanted him to exercise some independence on this trip.  To get it off my chest, here's all the nagging I wanted to do but held in all week:

• You've eaten 11 pounds of sugar today...brush your teeth! (OK, I did say that to him one night, but I didn't say it the other 5!)
• Don't read--hang out with the other boys
• Wash your face, there's dirt on your nose, chin, cheek, ear, etc...
• Rinsing in water does not remove much dirt if you don't use soap
• Is that the same pair of pants you wore yesterday, the day before, 3 days ago, 4 days ago?
• I packed you enough socks and underwear for each day...how many have you actually used so far?
• If you are cold, wearing my black sweatshirt (I promise, I don't have cooties!) will keep you warmer than standing there shivering
• Tuck in your Class A uniform shirt
• Tie your shoes
• Listen to your counselors

I was thankful to realize there were surrogate parents all around us.  The Senior Patrol Leader enforced the mandatory shower day mid-week.  The camp staff checked hands before every meal, sending those with dirty hands to rewash and stand at the back of the line.  Older scouts reminded younger scouts to brush teeth, and not sleep in their uniforms, etc.  The scouts also checked in with each other to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be at class times.  While not the same level of care/nagging that a devoted mother like myself will provide, his basic needs were taken care of.  I might not have to stay the whole week next trip.  Thank goodness for that!

Tween to Teen

We've been doing a lot of camping this week.  Teddy and I just returned from a week in Monterey Big Sur's Pico Blanco Scout Reservation.  There is a very detailed wiki page here.  The reservation, originally donated by William Randolph Hearst to the Scouts, was saved from the 2008 wildfire in the area, thanks to dedicated firefighters, many of them Eagle Scouts.

As we sorted through camping gear for this trip, we realized we need to upgrade Teddy's gear and clothing.  The cartoon embellished flashlights and toothbrush were not going to be acceptable for this weeklong camp-out with "big boys" of 15-17.

Despite my concerns about Teddy being the youngest of the group at age 11, he did well joining in with the others.  The teasing boy whom I was most concerned about, actually turned out to the one I liked the most by the end of the trip.  Behind the teasing, sarcastic facade, he was actually quite considerate, if a little bossy.  The older boys watched out for the younger boys, and while there was some teasing and some hurt feelings, mostly the exchanges were good-natured.

Turn your head and ...

I never knew what that phrase "Turn your head and cough" meant until I was an old married lady and my husband explained it to me.  Seems to be a rite of passage as boys grow into men.  We didn't think about that as I scrambled to get Teddy's and my medical forms completed to go on the Scout sponsored camping trip this month.  After slogging through the HMO call center to get the necessary appointment, I took Teddy in to see the doctor.

He was anxious about whether or not shots would be involved--I honestly had no idea.  Then he was taken aback when the nurse gave him 2 paper sheets to drape around himself, and instructed him to take all his clothes off, except for his underwear.  A little self-conscious, he did as instructed, wrapping himself up like a mummy, then sat and waited for the doctor.

He had met her before, when we discovered he had pneumonia a few months ago.  She is nice, friendly, perky even.  Deep breaths for the chest exam, stick your tongue out, look in your ears, all old hat and no problem

Then she wanted to check out his boy parts.

"Whaaaaaattt???!!"  He laughed out loud, "NO way!"