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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to go on a family camping trip with a 7 week old baby?

119 replies

peacefuleasyfeeling · 08/08/2013 23:14

DH has his heart set on going on a family camping trip the week after next. DD2 will be just 7 weeks old (DD1 has recently turned 3). He has in mind a very gorgeous site about an hour and a half from here, very remote with no facilities apart from a stand-pipe and a few portaloos. Normally we love this place and would go at the drop of a hat, but this time, I just feel like it's going to be such a lot of hard work! Neither DD sleeps through the night. DD2 is breasfed which makes it easier inthis context, I suppose, but the thought of shivery night-feeds and nappy changes by the light of a flickering headtorch, trying to keep everyone quiet so as not to disturb fellow campers, makes my heart heavy. At 5 weeks DD2 usually gets covered in poo or sick at some point every day (and night) and I'm pretty sure she still will two weeks from now. Added to that the certainty that DD1, in the absence of blackout blinds, will be rising with the sun... I just think it'll be hard work and I really don't want to upset other campers by having noisy kids on the site. What do you think?

OP posts:
susiedaisy · 08/08/2013 23:15

Yanbu there is no way I would of gone camping with a tiny baby,

mumofweeboys · 08/08/2013 23:16

Send dh with dd1. They will have a blast and get some father daughter time.

YouTheCat · 08/08/2013 23:16

Sounds like a nightmare tbh.

I'd wait until the kids are older and can participate in more camping activities.

Get your dh to set up the tent in the garden (if you have one) and camp out with your older dd. See how that goes. He might well change his mind.

LindyHemming · 08/08/2013 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sidge · 08/08/2013 23:17

I wouldn't go coming under any circumstances, let alone with a 7 week old!!

YADNBU

Patchouli · 08/08/2013 23:18

Even presuming the weather will be perfect, yanbu.

Sidge · 08/08/2013 23:18

Camping obviously, not coming.

Must preview when using phone!!

Doingakatereddy · 08/08/2013 23:18

Tell him to fuck right off. Sounds like the mother of all shit ideas!

BeesGoBuzzzzzz · 08/08/2013 23:19

YANBU, having a 7wo means basically you can do whatever is best for you. Just. Say. No.

Tweasels · 08/08/2013 23:19

I wouldn't fancy it and I love camping. Like you say, it's the night feeds. It's so bloody cold during the night. I bet if DH was the one doing the feeds he wouldn't be so keen.

I would suggest he takes DD1 away and you and DD2 can do a weekend of skin to skin and DVD box sets Smile

milkysmum · 08/08/2013 23:21

I used to love camping pre kids but now with two small children I'd rather pass for all the exact things you've mentioned- is a cheap caravan holiday an option as a compromise?

cardamomginger · 08/08/2013 23:22

FFS YANBU. Jeez.

Chopchopbusybusy · 08/08/2013 23:22

You have a 7wo baby. Your needs a d wants grump your DHs at this stage. Tell him not to be so bloody daft.

Chopchopbusybusy · 08/08/2013 23:23

That would be trump not grump!

quesadilla · 08/08/2013 23:23

I wouldn't do it either. Constant worry, no sleep, cold night feeding, generally a waste of time.

With a two year old maybe but with a tiny baby it will just be a pointless endurance test.

BrokenSunglasses · 08/08/2013 23:24

Is your DH actually from this planet?

This sounds like the stuff nightmares are made of to me!

Xihha · 08/08/2013 23:25

YANBU, I went on a family camping trip when DS was about 6 weeks old, it was hell, the weather was nice and I usually love camping where we went but it was stressful and horrible with a baby that young, and that was with my parents there to help me out.

oohaveabanana · 08/08/2013 23:26

I love camping. No way would I do it with a 7wo.

Agree that sending you dh with dd for a long weekend would be a potential solution.

KristinaM · 08/08/2013 23:26

What mum of wee boys said

Viviennemary · 08/08/2013 23:29

It sounds an absolute nightmare with such a young baby. I hate camping and I've only been once. Never again. He should do a trial run with the baby and three year old on his own for a couple of nights. I bet he wouldn't be so keen then.

MarjorieAntrobus · 08/08/2013 23:34

From my experience of camping holidays with DCs of that age, I'd say don't do it. It was tiring, much more so than being at home with a new baby. At least at home you have electricity, running water and mains drainage. Looking back, I have no idea why I agreed to it.

Can you go for the day, or can just your toddler and DH go, or can you stay in a nearby Travelodge or similar?

SilverSixpence · 08/08/2013 23:36

I went with dd aged 4 months and it was fine, I actually preferred changing her nappy to taking Ds to the toilet! But at 7 weeks she was a different baby, cried much more especially in evenings. So yanbu, and besides you don't have to justify not going with such a small baby!

NaturalBaby · 08/08/2013 23:38

YANBU, your DH needs a reality check.

My tactic would be to ask him several times an hour: how are we going to do this (change nappy, cook dinner, wash dishes, have bath, watch t.v, sleep) in a tent in the middle of nowhere?! Don't let him shrug it off and say 'it'll be fine' tell him it won't be fine, it will be a nightmare and you may well get in the car and go home leaving him to camp alone.

ProcessYellowC · 08/08/2013 23:42

YANBU, think it's a great idea to send DH with DD1!

MistyB · 08/08/2013 23:44

For a whole week?? Not on your nelly. Does DD2 travel well in the car? Perhaps you could plan an overnight where DH and DD1 stay overnight and you and DD2 drive back home once you have spent the day doing sitting around, roasting marshmallows and other such campy stuff and perhaps drive back the next day to pick them up but 6 hours in a car over two days doesn't sound like that much fun either so perhaps putting the tent up in the back garden might be better?