Dc in pup tent next to family tent - what age?

[SixImpossible]

Dc want to sleep in a pup tent next to our big tent. They are 13, 11, 7. Dc1&3 want to sleep alone in the tent. Dc1 prefers to sleep alone. Dc2 prefers to share and is willing to share with dc1. Dc3 is willing to share with either sib, but neither are willing to share with him (he thrashes - which is one reason they want to sleep in the pup tent).

I feel really uneasy about letting dc2&3 sleep in the pup tent on a campsite. In our back garden, fine.

Am I being precious? Should I just let them take turns in the pup tent?

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

I would but then I am notoriously lax with regard to such things :o
It depends what your main concern is I suppose. If it's a child snatcher type person prowling by then I would say that's unlikely. If it's late night toilet trips, getting frightened in the night or potential arguments meaning not much sleep happens then that's a more rational concern and one that only you can manage as you know your DCs best.

[CampingClaire]

I don't think you're being precious!!
We let our DD's sleep in small tent beside ours...but they had to have the dog in beside them!! We probably let the eldest start when she was about 12 and then likewise the younger one last summer got to share with her friend with the same rules...the dog was in there too!!
Depends on the site too...the one we use mostly is very quiet and family focused. Read about a horrific scenario in France either last year or the one before where a man was targeting kids in pop up tents when they were sleeping!! They got him but only after he'd ruined quite few kids childhoods!!

[KittiesInsane]

Older ones get to take turns, littlest one has to wait till he's 11 like they had to (unless I'm misinterpreting your OP?).

[Hakluyt]

11? Really???

What on earth do you think is going to happen to them?

The answer is as soon as they want to. Make sure they have practised the zip of the pup from the inside, and to zip of the big tent from the outside. Make sure they have a torch with new batteries.

[Hakluyt]

"Read about a horrific scenario in France either last year or the one before where a man was targeting kids in pop up tents when they were sleeping!!"

Where did you read this?

[KittiesInsane]

Older ones get to take turns, littlest one has to wait till he's 11 like they had to (unless I'm misinterpreting your OP?).

[KittiesInsane]

Apols for double post!

[MysteriousCircusZebra]

This might be it hakluyt. (Apols for dm link)

here

[CampingClaire]

Hakluyt It was in French papers while we were there and a small mention of it/trial in our news too. Think two summers ago now in the Ardeche area.

[Hakluyt]

Horrible. But a one off- don't let it constrain your behaviour. Children need independence and freedom.

[Fourarmsv2]

I let DS1 sleep in one with a friend aged 10.

The only problem so far has been complaints from neighbours that they stayed up too long talking!

[Blu]

Ds has loved sleeping in his own tent since he was about 9 or 10. On his own, no dog, sometimes with a friend. Sometimes when we have camped in woods.

I haven't worried about this - after all you can hear every zip zzzzippp ing and you can hear talking....I would worry more if he were in the garden and I was in the house out of sight and sound.

2 of them, and the older one aged either 11 or 13 - no problem!

[Slubberdegullion]

Dc aged 8 and 9 slept in their own tent next to ours last year in France.

[SixImpossible]

OK, I will chill about this. sometimes I dont know what to be afraid of.

I will let dc1&2 sleep in the puptent, but dc3 will have to wait a few years (or learn not to sleep-thrash!).