To still want to go camping in the rain with 2 toddlers??

[giraffes2021]

Due to go camping tomorrow to Pooley bridge ulswater with family and 2 toddlers 3 and 1

Partner is not keen on going as the forecast looks pretty grim 😩 but I'm still keen to go? Is it just a recipe for disaster??

Well as long as you're ready for rain, why not?

The only bore can be having to pack up a wet tent.

The kids will love it, whatever the weather!

How bad is it?
We had a camping holiday with dreadful weather at similar ages. 3yo was fine. 1yo wasn't.

Possible to leave 1yo at home with DH?

@Aroundtheworldin80moves haha wish that was an option!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves quite bad just rain a lot hahaha
But then if we don't go and the weather isn't that bad I'll be fuming

I'm a bit weird as I really like camping in the rain, I enjoy the sound of rain on canvas plus the sensation of being holed up in the tent with a good book and wine and crisps and nowhere else to go. But I can see that having 2 toddlers in tow would probably make it less relaxing!

Are you really well kitted out for the rain, do they have waterproof suits and wellies and does your tent have a porch area to keep the inside dry and mud-free? Have you got means to cook somewhere relatively dry (or can you eat out regularly if it's raining)? Are there indoor activities available, I would have thought so in that area but unsure if everything is reopen after Covid and/or whether it'll all be booked up or hideously busy?

Finally how far away is it, close enough to come home if it all gets too much? Personally I think if the answer to all or most of my questions is yes I'd still go, do a combination of indoor stuff in the worst of the weather and then take turns with your DP/family tag teaming letting them run around the campsite in feral fashion in the mud/rain/puddles while the other relaxes the rest of the time, but see above, I love camping and will pretty much persist in any weather. I'd expect a large proportion of MN to be on your DP's side TBH!

We went camping in the rain last year.

Don't do it.

How big is the tent?

We went camping with a 2 & 4 yo for a fornight in north France. Bought an 8 man tent so they were well contained with plenty of space. First week was great. Second week it pissed down relentlessly. All the French and other neighbouring countries cleared off after 24 hours and the further flung nationalities stuck it out. The oversized zip made it far more comfortable (plus the temperatures were low 20s and comfortable)

Being cramped into a tent with no space to move away from wet things is far harder.

Sounds like my idea of hell.

What do I know though? I'm not a fan of camping at the best of times so I am with your DP here.

How long are you going for? Maybe reduce the length of time rather than not go at all?

I’d still go, we’ve camped in all weathers and you just have to make the best of it! Make sure you’re well prepared and you’ll be fine, if not then go home!
It may not be the relaxing holiday you need after the last year but it’ll be an adventure and the kids need a bit of adventure at the moment!

It's so hard when everything is soaked and you're stuck in a tent with one toddler, let alone two. We had one awful rainy day camping last year and it really was horrible. I know toddlers don't mind the rain but realistically there's only so long you can wander around in a puddlesuit for...

Could 1yr old stay with your partner and just you and 3 yr old go?
My partner hates camping. I’m not keen on it either, but can tolerate it. I generally go with the kids by myself, but mine are older, so I feel safer managing by myself. But I’m a fair weather camper so would t go on the rain. But if you’re set up with wet weather gear and you like that kind of thing, crack on!

You only have one toddler because three year olds aren't toddlers, but yes you're crazy. Camping is insufferable enough in good weather. I can't imagine trying to keep two young children entertained in a tent on a rainy day.

Have you checked the wind? It's currently saying gusts overnight tomorrow in that area of 35+mph with a windchill of -3c....

Is your tent up to that? Are your kids, DP and equipment to that?

@SoddingWeddings I was sorta hoping the weatherman would be wrong hahaha

Is it just rain though? I’m further south but we have a weather warning for rain and wind tomorrow , the rain is one thing but mixed with wind I wouldn’t chance it with kids

I agree - take the 3 yo and leave baby with DH. Get some bonding time with your eldest!

I was going to say you only have one toddler because 1 yo is a baby!

Sounds like hell on earth

I was going to say you only have one toddler because 1 yo is a baby! 

That's when they become toddlers.

How big is your tent? How long are you going for? There’s lots of gaps between the rain, and by the time they’ve waded in over their wellies to throw pebbles in to the edge of the lake, they’ll be wet anyway...

The one year old is fully mobile he's been walking for months so he's a runner now hahaha

You're brave, trying to keep a very mobile 1 year old contained in a tent. I take my metaphorical hat off to you.

Oh good lord that sounds like my idea of absolute hell. But we are all different, I'm sure a lot of you are considerably hardier than me.

Hahaha @HoldingTheDoor thanks! Wahhh just thinking we'd only be stuck at home in the rain right ?! I'm kidding myself here aren't I