To consider camping on my own for a week with a young toddler

[MisSalLaneous]

In summer, of course!

Well, dh not too keen on using annual leave for longer camping in UK, but is happy to go for a weekend or two.

After our first attempt at camping last year (Blackberry Wood, so small site), I can't wait for summer to return and am currently looking at booking places.

I'm a SAHM, so don't have to be at home. So, except for both ds and myself missing dh, are there many downsides to going camping on a Saturday, with dh helping setting up the tent etc, him returning home for work for the week, and then joining us again next weekend?

Ds will be 2.5 at the time and is very active and adaptable. We travel relatively often, so the change of scenery won't upset him at all.

AIBU? Should I stick to weekend camping instead? It won't be the end of the world, of course, but I'm tempted by the chance to have a longer holiday and I love nature.

I think you would have to plan it well do you have an actihity planned everyday
and get up when ds gets up and go to bed when he does, although might be hard in summer if it's very light
unless other adults don't mind you joining in with them in the evenings
you might feel a bit odd sitting outside your tent drinking wine alone when next door a group of adults are all being socialable
although I guess they'd ask you to join them?

Camping is very sociable though, isn't it? I'm sure other people would come and invite OP for a drink in the evening, especially if she's on her own. Kids tend to go to sleep later than usual when camping anyway so don't think it would be lonely. Might also be a good oppportunity to catch up on a few books too.

I camp alone with DS - is fine. First went when he was 3 and was lovely. Can't wait for the weather to improve so we can dig the tent out again.

nighbynight, true, but compared to some of my single friends, I'm a bit of a whimp and relies on dh a lot (e.g. pitching tent etc), so I just wondered how others that usually do holidays together found single trips.

Didn't think of the planned activities per day - thought we'll just do "whatever" whenever. What kind of thing would you plan then? I guess I could have a rough plan and then adjust it to circumstances once there, e.g. walks, cycling etc. We've done some adventure travelling with ds before, so I'll take his backpack with - easy to carry him in in case he gets tired on a walk.

I love reading, so will take a couple of books and some writing material - might do all those letters I always plan but never finish too. It would be nice to chat to others, but not the end of the world if not.

I'm really excited about this now.

I've always taken mine on my own at least since youngest was 3 started with a tent now got a caravan but they help with the awning and everything and have done since little, hubby usually joins us once all the stress of setting up hard work is done.

when i went camping with my toddler i found that all he wanted to do was run in and out of the toilets, so this was one parents full time job whilst the other put the tent up and cooked the food etc,
it was a total nightmare and we are hardened roughin it campers!

commandeer your husband or a friend with kids otherwise it could just be bloody exhausting.

I'm lucky in that dh will come with first weekend, pitch tent and help set up everything, then go back to London on Sunday night. So except for lighting fire, cooking and showering etc, I don't have to do anything big. He'll be back on Friday night, so again I'll be fine with ds whilst everything gets packed up on Sunday.

I'll take easy food (e.g. chilli con carne and chicken curry cans and rice packets to do quickly in a pan etc) as well, so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult practically. I guess worst case I can restrict his movement by putting him on my back when I have to do something.

We don't do loads of planned things - we go for little walks, play ball on the campsite, read stories & explore. When DS goes to sleep, I get out the brochures and maps and stuff and think about what we'll do the next day, based on the weather and how things are going. Good luck & have fun

YANBU for going camping, YABU though for even beginning to imagine that it requires approval from us/your husband.

skihorse, oh no, that's just the way I (incorrectly) made it look, if so. No, whilst I obviously take dh's opinions into account, as does he with mine, I'm not a child, so don't need his permission or approval. My OP was meant to ask opinions from other parents that has either done it themselves, have more experience of camping, or just more experience of toddlers!

SuperBunny, that sound good, that's what I roughly envisaged. We often spend the day in the park just playing with leaves, so he's not very high maintenance.

we took a little trike wiith us which was brilliant.

lots of cars moving about on campsites so nothing like a park really

Trike good idea, thanks Kalo. I see some sites don't allow bikes, but fine on most. Re park - oh no, I know, I meant he'd be happy to go for a walk in the woods or whatever at this stage - small things (like leaves in the park) still keep him occupied for ages. Appreciate the warning re cars though.

I'm still waiting to hear back from Welsummer, but will chase tomorrow if no word.

If they don't have availability, does anyone have any further suggestions? Wowo website off at the moment, and Blackberry Wood full. I like something small where you can have a fire. I'm looking at list on UK Campsites too, but any personal recommendations would be appreciated.

thehappycampers.com

Thank you very much, Kalo. (I've changed address to .co.uk - it's a review site, right?)

Ooh, cool site, thanks!

MisSal, we also went to Woodland Farm, nr Canterbury which was lovely (but we were the only ones with kids there at the time) You can have fires - small field, about 5-6 pitches, nice clean loos/shower.

Some others I'm thinking of trying but haven't been to yet are Manor Court Farm, Hidden Spring Vineyard & Forge Wood. All allow fires, that's a must for us - and all in Kent or Sussex.

no its a site with a load of campsites, then you can request campsites with fires. i will look for right address

oh yes you're right thats it. good isn't it

Brilliant, thanks Doozle. With Kent and Sussex being so close, I'm trying to see if we can do a weekend here and there in summer too. Will look into your suggestions in more detail now. A quick scan of the reviews for Woodland Farm looks good, and with ds being only tiny still, I don't think he'll make too much noise, so should be fine.

Kalo, I've now decided your site is evil - I'm looking at the "Wild Camping" bit and getting all excited, lol. Obviously won't go that far. I think.

You're welcome . Am sure Welsummer will have something too, we rang them up in the summer and managed to get something the following weekend so not as bad as Blackberry Wood where you have to book about 3 years in advance these days (!)

Oh that's good to hear. I didn't want to push it today, but will call tomorrow afternoon if I haven't heard back from them.

do it. I'm not brave enough, but will be visiting the parentals when they go camping in the summer, and taking DS (then 2.7) with me for a couple of nights.

PureAsTheCold - he'd love it! We went camping for the first time with DS when he was around 17 mnths, and he loved it! Compared to weekend trips to towns / cities, this was just so relaxing for all of us. This is the main reason why I now love camping and prefer sites with little or no facilities - it forces us to slow down and just "be".

yeah, agreed! Went camping 3 times a year from 5yo, so more than comfortable with camping. bit aprehensive about my 70yo parents taking a toddler away with them and 2 mad collies though... he's quick as hell (like every 2yo boy) and I'm convinced they'll lose him!

(hence us going with them and keeping watch)

Your parents sound quite adventurous!