VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 01:32:20 07/27/15 Mon
Author: Tanner
Subject: Re: Girl's Camping Trip
In reply to: Torrey 's message, "Girl's Camping Trip" on 17:05:30 07/24/15 Fri

A laid-back, casual, safe non-threatening campout in an area where there's virtually no chance of him running into anyone he knows sounds like just the ticket.

My five basic suggestions are as follows: (1) Lack of outside distractions, (2) All-female garb, (3) Girly activities only, (4) Personal Grooming Instructions, and (5) Be positive; encourage, but don't push.

In more detail:

(1) No Unnecessary Distractions
First, make it clear that the trip is to be unplugged - no smartphone, no MP3, no gaming devices. This precious opportunity is to be a time for family bonding and a rare chance for him to explore his femininity - not a chance to catch up on the latest ball scores or try to improve his highest score on some wickedly violent first-person-shooter video game, or rudely eschew crucial family time in favor of thousands of insipid texts with his even more insipid friends. Creative Tip: Device-less car rides can be torture for today's short-attention-span digitally-plugged-in social-media youth, so you and your sister be prepared to engage him in lots of good old-fashioned conversation along the way, punctuated by frequent amusing as well as tender heartfelt anecdotes of what it was like to grow up as a girl. Only bring along young female artists' (e.g. Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, etc) music for car travel. Do not play the radio as it's content can be too unpredictable.


(2) Girly Garb
Camping is casual and not dressy; nevertheless, don't pack him any strictly unisex garb. Make sure there's something identifiably feminine on every article of clothing he has, even if it's subtle. You can do this cheaply if need be - pink laces for his sneakers, craft-kit rhinestones to outline his pants pockets, delicate eyelet lace trim for his shirt collar. If it's in your budget, find some cute matching outfits in both yours and your sister's and his sizes. You'll be showing your strong solidarity and support with his exploration, and he'll see you two not only as a sweet doting female family members but also as a positive active mentors and role models. One low-cost option would be matching Girl Scout tees (found on the GS website) - not TOO girly but perfect for when you teach him the GS campfire songs and playful accompanying hand-and-body motions. Creative Tip: bring along some plain T-shirts and glitter and pretty pastel fabric paints, and have a T-shirt painting party, specifying a mandatory hearts-and-flowers theme. If he's too embarrassed to prominently sign his given name on the shirt, suggest a girls' name to use instead (unless he comes up with one himself), but insist that he sign it BIG.

(3) No Boyz (activities) Allowed
If he's been digitally plugged-in, the lack of electronic gadgetry may get him antsy, so plan plenty of activities to keep him occupied. Bring the latest issues of Brides, Girls Life, Discovery Girls, and American Girl Magazine, along with a Harlequin Romance or three (NO mags for sports or guns or gamers or electronics - you get the idea) Bring along good quality craft kits and teach him how to cross-stitch, or learn along with him if neither you nor your sister ever learned how (these were some of my favorite memories with my mom and aunt). Creative Tip: if there is a nearby patch of bare dirt, then grab a twig, carve out some impromptu hopscotch squares, and teach him how to play. Have fun!

(4) Teach Him Proper Grooming
First, you and your sister braid each other's hair, then offer to braid his too if it's long enough. Gradually try and get him comfortable with doing (or at least attempting) both yours and his (bring along plenty of headbands, hair ties, barrettes, bows, ribbons, scrunchies, etc). Ditto with nail polish on fingers and toes (bring girlish flip-flops, cute girls' rings, bracelets, girls' watch, toe rings, anklets). Present him with a very basic starter makeup kit (including a compact and mirror) as a surprise present, and teach him the basics. Full fancy opera-heavy make-up and fancy up-dos aren't practical for a summer non-air-conditioned environment, but simple braids and drying lacquer and a little face powder, lip gloss, and mascara are just fine. Creative Tip: Take a short hike and pick some brightly-colored wildflowers as accessories for yours and your sister's and his hair. Have fun!

(4) Encourage!!!!
No comment necessary.

(Note: If it's not practical to leave your husband and/or brother-in-law or nephews or son(s) at home, do not let them derail the weekend. Insist that they spend as much time as possible away from camp - be it fishing or hiking or canoeing or playing sports elsewhere so as to allow you, your sister, and your nephew some quality sisterhood bonding time. If the men return while he's braiding, cross-stitching, reading a girls mag/book as his nails dry, 'fixing his face', or practicing his adorable Girl Scout songs' dainty prancing steps and cute hand motions, don't embarrass your poor nephew by making an ugly scene - just ensure that the menfolk keep the good-natured ribbing to a bare minimum.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Post a message:
This forum requires an account to post.
[ Create Account ]
[ Login ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.