Dilemma : camping in the garden

[Cutantrim]

We live in a v quiet village at the end of a cul de sac, backing on to a huge impenetrable bramble patch. Our garden is secure. DS aged 10 is fast asleep in the tent pitched in the garden. He has electrics, and a fishing sleeping bag on a luxury camp bed, AND a memory foam topper. He is toasty. DD aged 7 was also going to sleep in there but despite also being cosy, was hassled by a moth and has come in and got in her own bed.

There is quite a lot of rivalry between DS1 and DS2 aged 8. As a treat, I’d said DS2 could sleep with me tonight. (DH is away) so DS2 is now asleep in my bed and DS1 is in the garden. If I don’t go to bed with DS2 he will complain bitterly. If I don’t go and get in the tent then DS1 might wake up and be scared because his sister isn’t there.

I am knackered and I’m on the sofa wondering what to do!

WWYD?

Is he likely to wake up? Will he not assume his sister went back in the house? Won’t he go back in the house if he gets scared? I’d just leave him.

I'd leave him out in the tent alone.

Wouldn't the two younger children be scared if they wake up and you aren't in the house?

Go to sleep in your bed and stop mithering. DS1 is expecting to be out in a tent and probably prefers it by himself.

I'd bring DS1 in and get everyone settled in the house. Maybe it's different where you live or your DS is mature for his age but I'd be really worried leaving a child outside alone at night.

I wouldn’t leave him out alone at night by himself. It would be incredibly rare for anything to happen but I just couldn’t do it. Quiet village or not.

Camping in the garden is one of the joys of childhood! DS1 is expecting to spend the night in the tent so leave him to it, sleep in your own bed.

I think it's really sad that so many children don't get even small freedoms like this these days. It's a tent in the garden - I assume he can get back into the house if he needs, and you can leave the downstairs light on.

I used to sleep on the sofa when Ds camped in the garden because out garden isn't secure,on your situation I would just go to bed.

Have you got a dog that you could pop in the tent to sleep with ds1?

I have absolutely lovely memories of sleeping in the garden with my best friend and the dog. We would spend hours trying to make a campfire and have the best midnight feasts!

Go to bed,ds1 will probably wake early with the light and join you so sleep while you can.
Camping in the garden is fun.

Well I nodded off on the sofa and woke at about 2:30 with DS1 saying he had heard a funny noise and needed a wee and then he got back in his own bed in the house so I went to my bed with DS2, and all is well.

I love garden camping too.