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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go camping on my own with a 2 year old.

31 replies

midnightisaplace · 13/03/2012 16:38

More am I mad than am I being unreasonable. For the last year I have been looking for a full time job (only working 1 day currently). The search has been soul destroying but I am lucky enough to have lined up a great job starting september. The security of knowing I will be in employment in September means that we can afford a holiday!!! Yippee!
My DH can only take a week off so I thought I would take by Ds who will be 2.10 on the ferry to France for three weeks. We bring the tent and DH could fly over to meet us for one of the weeks. I know that being alone with a toddler on a campsite may have its challenges, has anyone any experience of doing this before? My mum said I was being crazy and that it will end up being a very stressful nightmare.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 13/03/2012 16:40

Listen to your Mum...she speaks sense [grins]

Vaffanculo · 13/03/2012 16:41

What will you DO all night?

Clownsarescary · 13/03/2012 16:42

Sounds like torture to me.

TunipTheVegemal · 13/03/2012 16:43

Won't you get bored?
I don't see why you shouldn't do it, but 2 weeks alone with a toddler is a long time.

peugotgringo · 13/03/2012 16:44

Erm, I'd seriously consider NOT going to France. My DB, SIL and 2 kids went last year and it cost them an absolute fortune.
£5 for a loaf of bread in one place, and my SIL likes to hunt around for a bargain!!
They said it totally ruined their holiday as they couldn't afford the daily treats they had planned for the kids etc as it went on essentials. You have implied that money has been tight so I'd hate to think of you being stuck on your own with no money to do anything.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 13/03/2012 16:44

I took 3 DS's aged 20 months, 4 and 8 camping alone, and I was 1st trimester pregnant with DD. We had a nice time and I enjoyed the peace in the evenings when the DC's went to bed reading by the tent.

valiumredhead · 13/03/2012 16:49

Sounds utterly fab -do it! You can always come home if it doesn't work out or feels too long.

AThingInYourLife · 13/03/2012 16:49

For a weekend I might - but 2 weeks alone in a campsite abroad with a toddler?

No thanks.

Why not just go for a week when your DH can go too?

Clownsarescary · 13/03/2012 16:50

Oh and yes, food is really expensive in France.

grumblinalong · 13/03/2012 16:53

I went travelling on my own with a 1 year old and everyone said I was mad. In hindsight, I was a bit but we had a reasonably good time and I'll never forget whale watching in Canada with my DS asleep on my knee missing it all! It utterly depends on your child and yourself really - is he relaxed, easy going and happy with change?

VivaLeBeaver · 13/03/2012 16:53

I've done it but only for a week. I would go for 2 weeks total - one with your DH. Infact get DH to come in the car with you to help set up! I found after a week in a tent with a toddler I was missing home comforts and adult conversATtion.

Though other adults have always been friendly when its been me and dd camping and invited me over for wine, etc in the evening.

Then again I'm happy on my own with a book and some wine. And now I have an ipad and can camp and MN life is good!

maddening · 13/03/2012 16:55

why not camp in uk - easy to get home if you hate it - and see if any friends with dc fancy coming with you and dc - would be more fun all round - and there are some fab and beautiful campsites in the uk.

dh can come for the 2nd week with you in uk or you could all fly out for the 2nd week - and travelling would be less of a stress with 2 - especially with all the luggage for camping! Easier to drive with said luggage in the uk

Pandemoniaa · 13/03/2012 17:22

Well I'd do it. But then I was the woman who took 2 children to Budapest on a bus.

thefirstmrsrochester · 13/03/2012 17:40

There are plenty of uk camp sites which are totally geared up for young children. I've spent a fortune on a villa holiday in portugal and the dc x 3 were bored & whiny. I have spent buttons on a camping holiday in Fife where the dc x 3 met another family with dc x 3 as we were pitching up. It was 14 days of relative bliss.
I'd stay in uk. France is expensive also.

VivaLeBeaver · 13/03/2012 17:41

Budapest on a bus you say? I can't afford to fly anywhere anymore but bussing it to places like that sounds good - is it National Express?

porcamiseria · 13/03/2012 17:44

hobnobs, brave woman you are!

I would make an alternative suggeston, maybe UK, maybe a static caravan?

then you can drive and can have stuff like fridges/cooker etc!

www.ukcaravans4hire.com/

some lovely UK resorts (ie not Haven type affairs)

but do what you want to do

my issue would be cooking and evenings TBH

Birdsgottafly · 13/03/2012 17:53

If you are a seasoned camper and can put up the tent etc, then i don't see the problem.

I had no choice, my DH worked away from home and i was quite cabable of looking after my children unchaperoned Hmm.

Then i was LP and like many, went on holiday, on my own with the children.

There are some lovely places in the UK, though, that you could go to,if you want to try it out first.

Mama1980 · 13/03/2012 18:09

I took my ds travelling when he was a year we travelled all over Europe I also take him camping every year we love it , I enjoy his company and we always above a amazing time

igggi · 13/03/2012 18:56

It does rain in France too. Makes a big difference to how easily you'll put the time in!

randommoment · 13/03/2012 19:06

Well... I did 9 weeks touring round Western Europe with ddtwins when they were 4, with adult company for only three of those. The only thing I regret is that despite the diary and photos, they can't remember quite a lot of the stuff we did and saw.
Part of the budget was allocated to emergency accommodation in bad weather, which we did one night when we got to the Black Forest in a thunderstorm and I really couldn't face putting up the tent. I must admit the hot bath was lovely, but otherwise we were under canvas the whole time. People were really friendly and helpful - particularly the Dutch, but also the Germans, and even most of the French...

PrincessWellington · 13/03/2012 19:06

Ok - some things you may not have thought of (solutions are needed)

How are you going to put up the tent with a toddler running around? Is it the sort of tent you can put up alone. Buggy?
What are you going to do if you need the loo when ds is asleep? Bucket? Buggy?
Are you going to shower/shit with ds? My ds was terrified of the shower.
Campsites in France have big ants and flood easily ime

If ds was 7 I'd say go for it but having camped with three dcs I'd say wait until he is a little more independent or get a static with your own facilities .

Original poster
midnightisaplace · 13/03/2012 19:15

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I have taken the plunge and booked the ferry. I know that it certainly won't be the most sociable of holidays but I think it will do me and my DS good.
I am a massive francophile and speak the language so I am as comfortable there as I would be in the UK.

OP posts:
randommoment · 13/03/2012 19:17

Solutions for Princess W

  1. Practice with tent at home a couple of times. If necessary car-seat/buggy/travel cot as temporary Baby Prison.
  2. Lidded bucket. Gross but works.
  3. If he's terrified of shower, this does not have a solution. But I showered with both dds from when they were old enough to stand in there with me - ten months. (A long weekend camp in Cornwall, our first as a family)
  4. Don't camp in the very lush patch of grass at the bottom of the slope, or where there are antheaps.
  5. Have an emergency only credit card.
randommoment · 13/03/2012 19:18

Hurrah! Wish I was coming too!!!

happyhorse · 13/03/2012 19:23

I find after a day of being talked at incessently by DS I'm happy to have a bit of peace and solitude for the evening.

Get yourself over to the camping thread.