I am needing advice because my little sister is telling me that she doesn’t want to take her waterproof jacket on the camping trip but I have tried to explain that it may be necessary because it can get cold at night plus it may rain during the time away.
Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it!
Thats what I have told her but she’s adamant she’s not taking it.
If she refuses all you can do is say “I told you so” when she comes back soaking wet. Sometimes experience is the only way some people learn! How old is she??
Then she’ll be cold and wet.
She is 8.
I am so tempted to put it in my backpack because I am fairly sure that the leaders would be angry if she got soaked.
Yes twoinandone but the leaders will be annoyed at her for getting soaked so I am trying very hard to persuade her to bring it with her.
If she is 8 then you have to put the jacket in her bag. She is too small not to have it and is unable to make that decision for herself. Could you alternatively give it to another participant or leader who could “hold”it for her until she needs it?
I will be there too BronxBaby so I will just keep a hold of it in my backpack and then she will realise that, if its needed then it will be fastened and hood up.
Neither the wet and cold nor the leader’s annoyance are likely to be life threatening so this is a good opportunity for her to learn the consequences of her choices.
@Bridget92 your sister is still a little kid who needs help so taking the jacket is the big sisterly thing to do to watch out for her. Thank you for being so kind!
Is there an official packing list where it say a rain jacket is needed? If so, there is the answer. The list says so. If not, I’d address it in front/with the leader while your sister is there so she can hear it from the horse’s mouth. Either way takes the sibling dynamics out of it.
Yes, it’s on the list: OP in http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22187725#Comment_22187725
@BronxBaby its OK, I take good care of my little sister :), as I said earlier, I will even be fastening the jacket and putting the hood up or put a hat on her head ;).
And…where are your parents? Are they helping this kid pack?
No, its just me that is a volunteer :).
You are a college student…right? You are volunteering to go on this camping trip with your sister.
Is your mom or dad helping your sister with the details of packing? If not…ask them to.
Sounds like the scout/troop leader should weigh in here on this issue not us. She is the one who has authority and has to deal with the consequences of a cold, wet Brownie.
Or your parents. “Pack the jacket or stay home. You choose.” End of discussion. The jacket isn’t optional. Don’t get into a debate with an 8 year old.
If any rain is predicted, have your parents or a troop leader tell her she needs to take her rain jacket.
Easy. Just pack it.
my youngest daughter is very strong willed, and we went through tons of issues like this.
my thoughts:
- it is never wrong to be kind
- it was very helpful/gratifying to me when someone told me that strong willed children are often very smart. They know what they want, and why, and they stick to it. Just hearing that was really gratifying.
- choose your battles wisely