...to refuse to go on holiday next year if it's camping again?

[WyrdByrd]

We've been camping every year for about the last 7 years gradually building up to a full week this year.

We don't have a huge holiday budget, so I try to put a cheery face on and have previously ended up enjoying most of it but this year I have just had enough.

Packing/pitching & the reverse is hard work & incredibly stressful as DH is pretty anal about how things are done. He's also over a foot taller than me so trying to erect an 8 man steel framed tent is quite a challenge & invariably causes rows.

Living in the pockets of DH & DD is something I really struggle with. I love them dearly but suffer with anxiety & need my own space to keep it under control. Without that, I get panic attacks which I try to keep under their radar which causes more stressful. I also have misophonia which is absolutely toe curling in a fecking tent!

I don't sleep well at the best of times, and an EMCS plus 3 further abdominal surgeries means I rarely get through the night without needing the loo. I can potter to the bathroom & back half asleep normally,but when a trip to the bathroom requires shoes, jacket, torch, negotiating a double zip tent flap & 200m trek each way that's not possible. At home if I suffer insomnia I'll make myself cosy on the couch & read/watch tv until I nod off - can't do that here as camping chairs aren't so cosy & light in bedroom would wake the others.

I hate only being able to have showers all week. The facilities here are great but it's just not the same...

Finally 'here' is where we've camped for the last three years. It's a great site & location has lovely beaches (which we've managed 3.5 days on out of 17 that we've spent here in total due to weather). We've exhausted the stuff to do otherwise & frankly I'm bored senseless of the place.

DH is not keen on doing anything other than camping because of cost & has already made noises about booking again for next year (he's done it before we've left the last two years, although I'm pretty sure he won't after yesterday's convo).

I get that money's tight but I would rather have a year off going away & do days out next year than 7 nights camping again. Quite happy to consider it the following year in a different location whilst praying our circs change & we don't have to, or do a shorter, more local trip alongside days out next year.

I can't help but feel I'm being UR & selfish. The only alternative that I've found for next year is a cottage which is very reasonable but all the things to do are art/literature/history based which would bore DH rigid.

I think mostly need to vent but if anyone has any solutions they'd be much appreciated.

It's only the last three years it's been our main holiday.

Prior to that we did 3-4 nights camping within an hour or so of home, and 4 nights at our nearest Butlins at Easter - apartment, meal plan, I even managed to escape to the spa on one occasion . But DD outgrew it & it suddenly got much more expensive so we've not done it lately.

DH feels that in a few years time DD will not want to come on holiday with us (she's nearly 11 now) and we'll have more options then, but it seems a long way away.

Why not camp. But in France? Hotter. Plus wine

It doesnt sound like a holiday for you Wyrd, more like an ordeal

YANBU

My DD is 12 and loves camping. I hate camping. She has joined the scouts and spends up to 4 long weekends a year out in the wilds with very little cost to me except piles of laundry. The scouts are always looking for Dads like your DH who want to help. (DD and her scouts are off on a European city break this week and I am massively jealous - they are even staying in apartments with a pool and it is much cheaper and more fun than if I dragged her on a family holiday).

We staycationed last year. The trick is to actually switch off from all the day to day stuff and treat your home like it is actually a holiday apartment and plan days out and meals just as if you were on holiday.

YADNBU! I don't know if it would fit your budget, but I reckon working out cheaper than YHA - the Field Studies Council do what they call Real Family Holidays. Its £20 pp / per night fully inclusive (massive fried breakfast, packed lunch provided, 3 course evening meal), and they're in lovely locations. Accommodation is pretty basic family rooms with bunks but does have en suite loo

Alternatively what about looking for a static caravan to rent somewhere nice? Maybe even better as you'd be able to get up in the night if you wanted, as well as loo/bathroom to hand.

Yanbu
I'm sure there are some alternatives that your DH should be at least willing to consider or failing that at least consider that staying at home might be the best holiday for you. Camping is not a holiday in my book it's more of an experience. Why waste your precious holiday time doing something that makes you miserable?

My DH also likes to go back to the same places for holiday. He just likes the fact that he knows what to expect and where everything is. He is always pleasantly surprised when we book somewhere new and always glad I've persuaded him to do something outside his comfort zone.

Camping is fun, but not relaxing. It's work, in my opinion. Food, washing up, all the prep, tent etc, its not exactly a five star all inclusive.

Next year we are having a month in the UK (live over seas) and maybe a weekend camping trip IF I can be bothered (puts foot down).

It would be worth looking at the continental Center Parcs villages for the May half term. It's off-season there so it's very cheap. We went to De Vossemeren this year, paying about £280 for a Premium chalet for 4 people, and used Tesco Clubcard vouchers for the Eurotunnel. It was absolutely fantastic and a real break for all of us. There are lots of activities for kids of your DC's age there.

Depends where you are in the UK but if you can bear to put the cost of a couple of the 'things to do' days toward extra petrol and book a ferry in Feb when it's dirt cheap you can probably get yourself across to northern France and slightly sunnier climes. Just wandering around a French market is a 'thing to do'- and shamefully admit that when ours were little we'd plan a trip to a hypermarche with the big fish counter to let the children watch the crab and lobster in the tank for the free entertainment while we stocked up on acheap bottle of vino cheese and crusty bagette for supper.

We've had hols all over Europe only because we camped and didn't do paid attractions. It was necessity for years but now it's the only way to go for us.

But if you're miserable go the premier inn/ Travelodge route and keep it short.

We rent a cottage for a week every summer, not at the beach admittedly, £300 per week is my maximum, we've had some fabulous holidays.

Could I ask how you find such a cheap cottage for the summer
please?

Given the medical issues you have outlined, YANBU.

On page 1, but that's no holiday for a mum.

Have you considered a house swap? May have been mentioned after.

You say DH does his share, so not a holiday for either of you. The clue is in the title, a Holiday should be something apart from what you normally do and that's not cooking etc.

Premier Inns have rooms for £29 per night(which sleeps up to 4 people per family room)at different dates through out the year.

If you look quite a while before you plan on going away and can afford to book in advance all the one's we've stayed in have been really nice.

why not try a sun holiday, £9-50 per person (based on four people so £38) just about in the more usual holiday weeks and you get fri to mon or mon to fri and you get a nice clean caravan

To those recommending Yha, yes they have improved massively and most have ensuite family rooms BUT they are no longer the 'cheap and cheerful' option they used to be. We stayed in Oban hostel last year for 3 nights and it cost £300 without any food for a family room. It was a lovely hostel and it's a great experience for kids, and we like being able to self-cater, but I was shocked at the cost. Premier Inn or Travelodge room would be a lot cheaper, but perhaps not as good locations.

I agree Ego, it's great having all the extra space and facilities (we did a massive load of holiday washing while we were there!). I think Oban is probably one of the most popular/expensive hostels in Scotland, and it was peak summer season.

Used to camp when DC very little. Im very much a fairweather camper, or purely at festivals at a push. It is tiring and hard to relax and anymore than 2 nights is just hard work.
Now I love a static caravan holiday. After a tent they're simply devine. I had an email from the daily fail (I know i know) their break free holiday are 15per person. I priced up a luxury caravan at greenacres Haven in Wales and a 3 day break was £75.
Worth a look..www.breakfree.co.uk

I WONDER THO, if the H likes the control of the situation over the reaities of it