I thought of story last night when my little girl was using every delaying tactic in book about going to bed, and just refused to settle down. I caught myself thinking, “Oh no, I’ve got to go upstairs, miss end of television show I’m watching, and calm her down and settle her into bed” … but quickly replaced thought with something along lines of “I’m lucky that I "get to" spend 5 quiet minutes with this funny, amazing little girl, even if I am tired and could do with some rest!”

And I thought of story again just this morning when beeper on my tumble dryer annoyed me into emptying my clean washing! I turned some very negative, lazy thinking around by reminding myself that I was lucky to have a tumble dryer, clothes to put into it, and family to be washing them for! It was still a chore but somehow it didn’t seem such a bad one anymore.

My husband reminds himself of story when alarm clock goes off early in morning and he struggles out of bed and to train. He "gets to" go to work. Many people don’t. And I think of it when I am sitting, uninspired, in front of my computer, wishing that I didn’t have admin or website chores to do for Activity Village. The thought doesn’t last long. I may have admin and website chores to do, but I also "get to" provide activities and inspiration to parents, teachers and children around world every week. How lucky can I be?

If you decide to write to your child at camp, here are a few tips:

* If your children are young and this is their first time away from home, make sure to send several letters to let them know you're thinking about them and that you miss them.

* Have other family members write to your child also. Kids love to receive mail.

* If you have a child who would be embarrassed by letters from home, just send a care package with some of their favorite candy or other small items. One year I sent my daughter a pair of Sponge Bob boxer briefs, and they were hit of camp.

* Be creative with your packing. You can use a 2-liter pop bottle as a mailing container. Cut a slit in side to place items in it and then tape over slit. The kids will get a kick out of seeing what's in bottle.

* Depending on how long it takes mail to get to camp or how long your child will be gone, you may have to mail package day your child leaves, or even before they leave.

* If you know any of other kids at camp, like your child's closest friends, don't be afraid to send them a note or treat too. I often send thinking-of-you cards to some of my daughter's friends, and I know they love receiving mail from people other than their parents.

In this day and age, letter writing is becoming a dying art. If my daughter keeps letters I wrote her someday they will be a special keepsake for her, capturing an exciting time in her life.

We don't always take time to do little things for our kids or tell them how we feel about them. Writing to them at camp is a great way to keep in touch with them while also sending them a welcome treat.