Ex taking kids camping

[Stuckinarut79]

My stbxh and his parents are taking DDs, 10 and 5 camping. Woken up and there’s snow in the garden. I’m usually of the opinion if they are with them I stay out of it, however much I disagree with the way they do things, but is this an occasion where I should say something? Or just let them get on with it?

They are going with a campervan for the grandparents to sleep in and room for one child, so they will be inside for cooking, eating etc, but they won’t have heating on overnight. One child (or both) will be in a tent with the ex. I know they will bring a million blankets and I’ve sent them over with warm onesies/fleeces/jumpers - despite the list they sent only wanting one jumper each and swimming costumes so they can go in the sea - they are in the new forest.

I’m looking for a bit of reassurance that I’m behaving unreasonable by fretting and I should stay out of it and it’ll be fine - though I’ve decided if they come back ill they can stay with them till they are better as I can’t take time off work to look after poorly kids. But I just wanted a reality check that possible I’m the only sane one and I’m being neglectful by not speaking up.

Sounds like it will be a fun adventure for them. Kids are much more hardy than us oldies!!

They'll be fine OP. Stop your fretting and enjoy the peace.

My dd has camped in snow, with the right equipment it's not a problem. Are they experienced campers?

I suspect this was booked long before the weather changed but if it's possible to change the booking they should go further west - it's been 10 degrees and sunny here

Short of actual hypothermia, what illness do you think they’re going to catch?

A million blankets plus the body heat of an adult in the tent will be just fine.

They will be fine. Don’t worry.

I'd fret and say my piece but probably wouldn't stop them going if they were insistent. You don't get a cold or flu from being out in the cold but it will be bloody unpleasant. No snow here, it's sunny but it's freezing. I've also been camping in April in 'normal' weather and it's not something I would repeat anytime.

They'll be fine.

I'm pretty near the New Forest. No snow here.
They've got warm clothes, leave them to it.

Thank you. I am enjoying the peace that’s why I don’t want to say anything - but then I had that niggeley voice saying your only not saying something because you don’t want confrontation.

What would happen if you expressed your concerns?

I’m personally of the attitude that there’s no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong equipment - so for me would depend on provision of appropriate gear.

Swimming in the sea with full wetsuit, boots and gloves with a capable adult who can risk assess? No problem for a short time. Swimsuit only? At this time of year? Nope.

Etc etc etc

Send them with extra hoodies and a blanket and they will be right. I don't know what you are concerned about im sure their family won't let them freeze.

It will be warm and snuggly with 3 in a tent.

If you don’t trust them to look after your dc why let them have them at all? If they are capable of meeting the children’s needs in a house they are capable of doing it in a tent.

what do you want to say?

Presumably your ex and his parents are sensible otherwise you wouldn’t have allowed it in the first place?

It’s natural to be worried, but I’d let them get on with it. Would you expect ex to contact you in the same circumstances?

I'm sure they will be fine ,there's a young lad that keeps appearing on the news whose spent the entire year sleeping in a tent in the back garden to raise money for charity.

If it's too cold and they don't sleep they will pack up and go home after a night or two.

They'll be fine!!

Thank you, it’s out of my mind I very clearly was in the right to not say anything and I’ll enjoy a week of a warm house and peace and quiet.

Yeah if its miserable they will pack up and come home.

The kids are sleeping with adults, they'll be fine. If they're too cold they'll whinge! Enjoy the peace!

I was in the Girl Guides and we went camping with frost on the tent - made men of us.

I know it's not "cool" to be part of the last century's oppression of womenhood but we really enjoyed it and had a right laugh, and learnt a bit at the same time, like how to get on with others and still good friends with girls I met in the GG.

I also occasionally wear the uniform, well JUST the top, but that's another story [grim}

You sound like such a lovely mum, wish someone had worried about me being cold as a child!

@Pyewackect if you were with the girl guides, it made women of you surely?

Have they got good sleeping bags?

They’ll be fine. It will have melted in a few hours and it’s going to warm up a bit. They will go and all squidge in the campervan if it gets really cold. Don’t worry. They’ll probably have a ball.

Sounds like my idea of hell. I'd be relishing in the thought of my ex coping with cold, moaning children but that's because I'm old and bitter.