Am I right that my mom shouldn't be keeping this from my sister?

Your mother’s way she might disappointed, your way she will be – even if only temporarily.

Can you talk to your mom about your feelings? Maybe she’s trying to work something out so that you guys can go. I can’t imagine that if she was already absolutely certain that there won’t be enough money that she would continue to let your sister think she might be going. So, your sister has no idea that she might not go and you have no absolute certainty that you won’t go. But it could also be that parents can be very reluctant to burden their children with their own financial problems. Just stay cool. It might just work out.

If it came down to it, maybe you would be willing to sacrifice your week for your sister to be able to go? She sounds really excited about it, and with the level of concern you’ve expressed, you obviously care about her a lot and feel protective over her. If they can’t afford to send you both, maybe your parents could afford to just send her? It would be a very mature gesture on your part.

My guess is your mom dreads disappointing your little sister until she knows for absolutely sure you two won’t be able to go. I really like what @pofandmook wrote about you approaching your parents to offer to give up your camp trip if that would help them at least to send your little sister, you sound like a wonderful sibling!

There’s nothing at all wrong with your sister wanting to go—even ‘expecting’ to go. This is what drives people to do better. I’m sure that your mom and dad will do whatever they can to keep from disappointing her. Even if they do ultimately disappoint her in this—which is a very real possibility, maybe even a probability or near certainty as you seem to believe—what’s wrong with her having her dreams and expectations?

I hope you both get to go, but don’t you be the one to bust her bubble if it comes to that.

Your parents have to make tough choices about keeping you fed, healthy, housed and well clothed… camp is a luxury when everything else is covered.

Really, as harsh as this sounds, it’s also a good reality check to a young kid to know their parents aren’t invincible, made of money, or able to fulfill every whim and want. Reality sucks sometimes. Better to learn it early than get hit with it as an adult when the big “stuff” hits the fan.

Maybe your parents are trying to make it happen however they can on their limited resources.

Please understand that the problems they are facing are greater than the possibility of not being able to go to summer camp.

@Captain_Fantasy: well I’m sure the poster knows that, but a 9 year old has trouble understanding the big picture. And the poster is pretty young too… she’s just looking out for her sister… it seems like she knows the real deal.

I think it would be fair to tell your mom that she has put you in a difficult position, and that you’re not comfortable hiding this from your sister. See what she does with that, maybe?

Could you do some baby sitting to earn money as a contribution? You have two months until summer camp usually starts. It is tough, I know, and I am sure that your parents are doing their best. There is a nobility in giving up your week for your sister. Paying it forward is always a good thing.

I really have thought seriously about giving up my week so she can go. But since it’s a free-will donation camp, my parents don’t pay very much in the beginning, so the only thing that they’re worried about is gas money (My mom told me this). I’m not signed up yet for my week of camp, so maybe I could change to the camp my sister’s going to so the gas money is less. Thanks everybody for saying I’m such a great sister – obviously you don’t live with me.

Your mom is perhaps trying to figure out a way to make the money appear at the last minute, like from a grandparent, or selling something.

Perhaps you could help your mom out by telling her that if they can only afford to send one of you, it should be your little sister?