Holding a Sibling Back and Changing Schools for 01/28/2017

Dear Family Coach: My 8-year-old daughter wants to go to sleep-away camp. My 10-year-old son has no interest. However, he doesn't want us to let our daughter go because he says it will be embarrassing for him if she goes and he doesn't. We are considering keeping her home this summer to appease him. Is this the correct decision? — Parents With a Balancing Act

Dear Parents: Nope. Holding your daughter back for the sake of your son's feelings is not the right call. It is perfectly understandable that your son doesn't want to deal with the potential questions from family members and friends as to why he isn't at camp. Sure, it may be embarrassing for him. But denying his sister an opportunity isn't the answer. Keeping her home doesn't address the underlying issue. It simply mollifies the symptom.

Updated: Sat Jan 28, 2017