To not let my 2yo camp out..

[mrsrvc]

About to go away with inlaws and it has been suggested that ds camp out in the garden with his cousin (7yo). An adult would join them later, but until about 11 they would be left alone in a tent in the garden. Dh just told me to get a grip and loosen my grip, but I think the idea is ridiculous and potentially dangerous. Mumsnet jury, AIBU?

YANBU

I too have a NSC who is 2. DH ran past me at the supermarket this morning saying he'd left her in charge of his basket while he went to get a trolley. DS and I hot footed it over there to find her running away from the basket giggling manicly.

2yo are not trustworthy. They will think it's a good idea to sleep in the sandpit or try and climb a tree or just come to look for you, but not through the back door, they'll try and get through the front door via the road.

It is also far too much responsibility to give a 7yo

haven't read the thread but i do hope you said 'no', very firmly.

Thanks for the messages. We don't know about the size of the garden etc as it'll be a holiday house. Cousin is generally quite naughty as ds is in the throes of newly independent terrible twos. I just see it as a recipe for a nightmare. I also have a dd (5mo) who I'm still up with a fair bit, so no way i can go and supervise. Spoke to dh about if this more in car journey home and he said maybe if we were all in the garden having a BBQ ( like ds would settle at all...) and I the suggested that he would need to not get pissed if he was to look after them and he got all stroppy again.
Will stick to my guns. Ds is little more than a baby and as such will sleep in the house. Unless an adult (dh or his brother) stay with them.

Hurrah for you WorryWort, I totally second what you say. I have a Ds1 aged 5 and DS2 aged 2 and wouldn't dream of letting DS1 camp out without an adult let alone DS2. Let them grow up safely, at their own pace. Wouldn't agree to it in a million years.

Flipping heck. I must be on a different planet to you lot, I think it would be great fun and would be fine with it!

My view is obviously a 7 year old can't be expected to look after a 2 year old in the garden all night. It isn't accidents that would worry me, if the 2 year old wakes at 4am having a nightmare and wants mummy and daddy it is the 7 year old who has to deal with that and that isn't fair no matter how mature and sensible the 7 year old.

Also asked DH who is way more reckless than me with our 2 yo and takes her off wild camping in the woods and swimming in lakes and all sorts and he also said no way no how for roughly the same reason.

Hell, no. My 2 year old would flip for starters.

Plus, a 7 year old can't be expected to look after a 2 year old who will be unsure, tired, in unfamiliar surroundings etc.

But, like someone up thread said, I doubt it will actually come to pass. And if it starts to look likely, just put your foot down immediately. Hopefully your husband will not feel like arguing about it in front of family.

Good luck :)

When we've done similar when ours were that young it's been fun but not one of those times when you can just let them get on ith it. Weve had the BBQ, let them stay up very very late, put them into tent, sat near tent to stop silliness. Finally, when they have dropped off its not far off our own bed times ;)

I can see why it's be great for the 7 year old. Not sure why the other adults are so keen for your 2 year old has to be involved? The father of the 7 year old can camp out with him, their bed time situation will be very different from yours.

If your dp is desperate to give your toddler a camping experience, then that's fine, but it's HIS thing that evening not yours. do not give in on that.

If your dp would prefer a more relaxing evening, drinking beer and chatting, then he'll get a whole lot more of that done if the 2 year old can play in the tent, then put into bed as normal.

Ok I'm off to check that my 7 year old is fine in his tent :)

Penelope

I think the idea is that the children go to bed in the tent, then an adult joins later.

But the dad will be sleeping with them - just a bit later, the 7 year old won't be looking after the 2 year old. This just doesn't seem like a big deal to me - what am I missing?