Caravan with a baby

[NouvelleMamanNouvelleVie]

Would you?
We have a toddler... and a six month old. Caravan is an old style one that someone has tarted up with some bunting and put on airbnb. No electric per se but a basic cooking system that I'm not sure how it works.
Baby is just starting solids but I still sterilise bottles.
What would you do?

No electric? No.

As much as (being 52 years old) I grew up with happy memories of caravan holidays with no electric or water supply, I wouldn't do what my mum and dad did all those years ago.

And that's because there's just no need for it.

Can you not Google 'private let caravans' in whatever area you want and book from there?

Gumtree, Facebook and a few other sites are good for this.

Would I what? I lived i one with a 6 month old. Are you talking about a holiday?

Why?

Realistically what would your children get out of the stay? It wouldn't be a holiday for you, unless you are eating out. If it's in a area were you are close to a beach etc then that's slightly different. I'd only do it if you wanted a change in scenery. I go camping, in locations that make it worth the basic living. Children this age don't need holidays and they aren't always fun.

Sounds great .
It’s up to you what you make of it .
X

No thank you!

The entertaining a toddler in a confined space that may not be easy to keep safe (access to cooker etc) would be my biggest worry.

There are plenty who do it and plenty who never would. It’s a personal preference I suppose and you’ll never know if you never try it! Unless it’s ridiculously cheap, perhaps look for one that has electricity as that will make a difference (most even ancient ones will have electricity available via hook up)

@GiveIrelandBackToTheIrish

Why?

Oh come on. People consider all manner of things on here. OP was looking for canvassed views on an unusual holiday option.

Living in primitive conditions with two small children is not a vacation. Stay home and visit the zoo or similar.

I wouldn't do this on my own let alone two very small children.

No electric? Errr NO then.
Our lovely caravan with fixed huge bed and 2 x bunk beds was used when I was bf'ing ds2. Happy days. But this? No!

Caravan? Yes
No electricity? No

I'd rather have no holiday than stay in a caravan with no electric. No holiday sounds easier and more convenient.

Madness. And we lived in a building site whilst renovating our house and sterilising bottles when DD was the same age.

We also own a caravan and getting out of bed to put the heater on in the mornings is awful, can't imagine actually having no heater!

I stayed in caravans with my 2 when they were babies (both approx 4 m old at the time of holidays). It was fine, but we had electricity. I wouldn't do it without!

Not my idea of fun....but each to their own....we have a touring van but it's fully electric microwave heating tv lovely shower room.....but old van no way !!!

I don’t understand the no electric bit, what are you doing for lights even in the evening?

Is it like an airstream type one rather than a static? If so, I’d say no on the lack of space alone.

No way there's is probably a wood burning stove or similar you'd have to keep the toddler away from and if the weather was shit just no.

Nothing against caravans, we've got a static, but electricity is an essential.

Caravans are fine but find one with proper facilities.

Caravan yes.
We camp (no electric) a lot and did when the DC were babies too. My conditions for doing this were:

Permanent puddle suit for toddler any time they step outside (baby too if they are crawling).
If you're still sterilising bottles use Milton fluid/tablets in a tub.
DP doing their share of the work.
Good weather/good waterproofs.
Eat out as much as your budget allows!

Holidays with small children are really hard work though and you usually come home more tired than when you went!

So basically camping for a couple of nights....are you used to camping? So you have battery lanterns/torches fir night time? Is there somewhere safe for baby and toddler to sleep? Do you need a break and is it cheap? (For no electric, in a wonderful location, with a shower block with a baby change and electric lights and hot water....then no more than £60 a night.)
Do you all have excellent waterproofs. Is there stuff to do around there?

No electric but a charged leisure battery for basic lighting? Or no electric period?
I have a touring caravan and have had since DD was small. I love it as does she. The cooker will be gas. The rings are great but caravan ovens never get up to temperature well so you can’t roast a Turkey or bake cake but they’ll do the basics.... slowly!
Everyday you empty waste water, refill the drinking water, empty the loo. The toddler can “help”. You need wellies and coats in case it’s chilly.

We do croissants for breakfast (warmed in the crap oven), a good lunch out and tinned soup, bread, cake and hot chocolate for tea to keep down the caravan cookery. We used to take play dough, paper and water colour paints, Lego and jigsaws. Now DD is older is board games and card games. We spend lots of time outside. A football is a great addition to the boot of the car.

If it was me I’d go, make sure you have lots of warm clothes and wet weather activities and take the basics of good with you so no supermarket trips needed!