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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to pull out from this nightmare camping trip?

389 replies

SparkleSoiree · 31/05/2016 15:56

So, camping is not, has never been and, now I can say, will never be my thing.

People love it, I get that. Kids and husbands I think mostly...I DONT GET IT.

We are booked to go camping with DH's cousin and his family in August. I'm more of a city break, lovely hotel person myself but DH and DD were really keen to go relive his scouting days and not wanting to be a party pooper I decided to throw myself in there too to show willing and that basically I can do anything I put my mind to. Turns out I'm more of a panderedto woman than superwoman!

We did a trial on the weekend in the garden with the new tent and kit DH bought. Seriously, it was like watching him unwrap his presents on christmas morning. His face was constantly smiling, sharing his joy with DD who loved it just as much. I offered some help occasionally but could not get into the spirit of it at all. He even put up little fairy lights around the rope thingies to add a little bit of glam for me Biscuit .

It was a disaster for me, I got the total of 1hr 5 mins kip between 11pm and 8am, was in a seriously bad mood in the morning and did not see the fun side of it at all. Seven nights I've booked myself in for and if I had to spend 7 consecutive nights with minimal sleep I'd be driving myself home by the end of day 2! I cannot function without my sleep, I get really grumpy and moody and a desire to be on my own. I certainly couldn't think about a day trip out after spending 10 mins trying to get up off a bloody airbed and that's before I've even thought about getting dressed!

I'm considering options, one of which is not going at all and allowing DH to spend the week with his family and DD. Upside is that I would get a week to myself as my other DD is away abroad at the same time.

Another is to check into a hotel close by and swing in by each morning with some lovely breakfast items for them all and spend the day with them. Upside is there will be a lovely bathroom in the hotel, just for me, a cosy bed, a bar under cover and I won't have to make my bed in the morning because some lovely person will do it for me. More my idea of relaxation.

Other option is to borrow our friend's caravan (she has offered it in my hour of need!) and add a caravan pitch to our booking. That way we have a tent and a caravan. I could cope with a caravan - I think.

Out of those I think I prefer the first one, so AIBU to pull out and spend a week on my own doing my own thing and forgetting I'm a 44yr old mum of 3, wife to 1 and taxi driver to all?

OP posts:
ample · 31/05/2016 17:05

you might love it
Please. No.
I think at 44, the OP knows herself pretty well. She will know the probability of that happening.

Titsywoo · 31/05/2016 17:05

Airbed is awful, camp bed nearly as bad. I have a 7.5cm self inflating mattress with a duvet for the bottom sheet, 2 pillows plus a duvet to cover me (sleeping bags are crap). I sleep like a baby. I'd never do more than 3 or 4 nights though and I go every year. I also go with a big group of friends plus kids which is much more fun.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 31/05/2016 17:08

Well it is good of your DH to endure the Caribbean with you, poor man's probably dreading that holiday Grin

myownprivateidaho · 31/05/2016 17:09

Mm I kind of think you should give it another try. I could be wrong but it doesn't sound like you've made a huge amount of effort. I think that making an effort to have a good time with the others would e the ideal.

memyselfandaye · 31/05/2016 17:09

Do whatever you want, hotel, caravin or stay home, I don't think you are being a princess at all.

The only way you would get me in a tent in a field would be if I found myself homeless.

I'm also a city break kind of person, I can't be doing with tents or beaches.

memyselfandaye · 31/05/2016 17:10

caravan not caravin

HeadDreamer · 31/05/2016 17:13

There's no way I would agree to camping. It's not princessy. It's something I won't do unless it's absolutely neccessary. I've camped once in school and that's enough for me.

I'd either just stay at home or be in a hotel nearby. Both options sound fine to me.

Kr1stina · 31/05/2016 17:14

Stay at home

I'm Hmm at the suggestion that not liking camping is being difficult and princessy.

Is it compulsory for mothers to like everything that their husband and kids like ? Are they allowed any preferences and opinions at all ?

Highsteaks · 31/05/2016 17:15

We did a trial on the weekend in the garden with the new tent and kit DH bought. Seriously, it was like watching him unwrap his presents on christmas morning. His face was constantly smiling, sharing his joy with DD who loved it just as much. I offered some help occasionally but could not get into the spirit of it at all. He even put up little fairy lights around the rope thingies to add a little bit of glam for me

Oh bless your DH and DD - this is just such a lovely image!

However, under the circumstances, and provided your DH doesn't mind, if i were you i would ab the chance for a week on my own with both hands!

BertrandRussell · 31/05/2016 17:15

Not liking camping is fine. Staying in a hotel next to the campsite is a bit princessy! Grin

musicposy · 31/05/2016 17:15

Camping in the back garden is entirely different - it's impossible to enjoy it when you know there's a cosy bed inside!

I'd go - I think it's a bit mean not to. However, as a seasoned camper I'd say you need

  • electric hookup with a small heater
  • a really warm sleeping bag and fleece PJs
  • a good fishing bed. They are sooo comfy. They take up serious space but are the only way DD1 will now agree to come camping with us.

You'll sleep much better as the week goes on, too, even on a crappy air bed. But number one tip, fishing bed. If you gave a Go Outdoors near you they always have some there to try.

WaspsandBeesSting · 31/05/2016 17:15

Well it is good of your DH to endure the Caribbean with you, poor man's probably dreading that holiday

Some people actually don't like it Wink

CPtart · 31/05/2016 17:16

I'm a 44 year old mum too, and enjoy 2-3 nights camping if the weather is verging on tropical decent.
I never sleep well the first night, but after that am usually ok. I do take duvet, hot water bottle etc etc. I remind myself that the kids love it and it's all part of making memories ( we camped when I was a child and had great times), and I long as I can get on a plane once a year for two weeks abroad am quite happy to muck in and go camping for the greater good once a year.
Someone on here once put that it helps if you're ever so slightly drunk the whole time..and tbh, that's probably true Grin

Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2016 17:17

I am a bit Hmm at the 'princessy' comments TBH.

UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 31/05/2016 17:18

Rule one of camping for me is: No More Than 3 Nights.

You never sleep well the first night, you do the second Grin Wink

You should give it a try, it is fun. for 3 nights or less in good weather

Sparklingbrook · 31/05/2016 17:19

Re the memories thing, DH used to go camping every year with his parents as a young child and all he can actually recall is his Mum and Dad putting the tent up in the rain while he sat in the car. Sad

P1nkP0ppy · 31/05/2016 17:19

Hate, loathe, detest camping, so you're not alone op.
DF's op took a complete single bed, bedding etc to try and convince her.... Offering to do that didn't work either 😨

DH goes with our dd, I happily stay at home, simples!

Spotsandstars · 31/05/2016 17:20

I think you should go and just suck it up. I'm not a keen camper but would definitely do it for dh and ds. You can do a nice hotel break another time to reward yourself. For me spending time as a family unit is more important and sometimes the sacrifice is worth it for the gift you give your family. Take lots of choc and wine and magazines that will help soften the blow!

MiffleTheIntrovert · 31/05/2016 17:20

I like the sound of your DH Grin

I love camping. DH hates camping. I think you should go for the first few nights, you could assist with the setting up camp and spend a few days so your dd has you there. Then you could come home and spend eight hours in a hot bath leave them to have some father/daughter time and have the house to yourself. Win win?

DH really really hates camping. He would still accompany me because he is kind, but I am more than happy for him to stay home - he could do with the rest and alone time, tbh. We don't go for a week though, only a couple of nights at a time. If I went for a week I'd like him to help share a bit of it with us. It's quite nice to get the DCs to myself too.

PS you need SIMS and electric hook up. Will definitely help you Wink

LunaLoveg00d · 31/05/2016 17:21

I'm hmm at the suggestion that not liking camping is being difficult and princessy.

me too.

I have camped in the past and hated it. A week camping is my idea of absolute hell.

MiffleTheIntrovert · 31/05/2016 17:22

I would rather camp than go to the Caribbean. But I am a bit weird. And don't like planes.

deste · 31/05/2016 17:22

I would either do the hotel or take the offer of the caravan, you could reasonably say that it's there for everyone in case it rains.

BertrandRussell · 31/05/2016 17:22

As I said- not liking camping is absolutely fine...........

AlpacaLypse · 31/05/2016 17:24

I've just bought two of these as my camping goodie for the year! Luscious... It was those or an inflatable tent.

shazzarooney999 · 31/05/2016 17:25

The first night camping isalways the worst, for me the first night i had no sleep at all, but after that i was fine.

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