Caravanning with 5 & 2yr old boys - how do you cope with the stress?

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I have a medium sized 5 berth caravan and used to use it more when we were at agricultural shows but mainly before DS2 came. I have to realistic here is the whole thing going to drive us mad now. Hubby is a big guy and isnt the most patient so I have to tread on egg shells (neither of us are laid back). 4 of us in this small area will it just send him spare? We have been on a short break and the weather was fab but I'm concerned whether to spend more money on it ie could do with a better awning, plastic chairs etc. I'm terrified of being stuck in a miserable box with it tipping down with two quite wild boys! I've priced up package holidays and they are coming out £3K plus and its not going to happen. Or should I reside to the fact that until the boys are older its safer to do weekends away B&B in comfort and warmth. Also we cant really do more than 5 days due to business committments. Any comments?

Go to your local camping/caravanning shop and look at the secondhand awnings. Ours has a big choice.

The thing with DH not being patient is something that he'll have to deal with. With your DC I think you'll have to set out some absolute rules. They can't act in a caravan like at home or something will get broken quite easily.

I would try it, but I love camping/caravanning.

wellies, waterproof trousers and good coats and the boys can be outside in all weathers.

you will need a good awning however for wet days.

good luck.

Boys 7 and 2. Awning essential. Good weather = essential.
We went both may bank holidays last eyar and had the fabbest time. went in august. pissed it down the whole time. we had booked for 2 weeks ( thtas a mistake, won't make the same mistake again, only booking for a week this august) and went home after a week. It was bloody awful. There are only so much swimming and softplay you can do, without going barmy.

But when its good its fab. They have a nice playground area, and they just play there, riding bikes, playing with the kids next door, water guns etc.

My dh loves it. But if your dh is not so keen, do yourself a favour and try very very hard to ease him in by booking for a few days, with a semi chance of decent weather.

what exactly are you worried about.

you both need to chill. What do you want out of a holiday? If your dh wants peace and quiet, then a touring caravan with 2 little kids in is deffo not for him! And lay ins, ha, well it just won't happen!I agree that rules are needed, ie. mylittle one likes to leg it up and down the strip in the middle of the van, so thats a no-no. If I'm cooking then dh must take the kids out for a walk or go to the park etc, its just to small for all 5 of us with cooker and hob on = dangerous. The awning is a must. We set ours up as our dining area/ play table/drawing etc. buy yourselves a oil filled rad or fan heater and it gets really cosy, make sure you have a decent ground sheet too that the kids can sit on and play. keep toys in a box in the awning. the more homely you make it, the more comfy you all will be. But, try to keep mealtimes simple, bedtime early (thats all of you) as in such a tight space its lights out for everyone! No holiday should have anyone feeling like they are walking on egg shells, so be honest with each other and talk about whether camping/caravanning is really for you.

You are so lucky to have a caravan. We go camping and love it but only in nice weather -you can go whatever the weather!
Why not look for sites like Haven where dh can disappear for a pint while the kids are at the kids club? You only need to do 3 nights at a time, so even though per night it will be dearer than a no frills site, it is do-able.

Yes, I'm in agreement that long weekends are the best - but theres a lot of work in preparation isnt there?

We have very stressful lives, run a medium farm plus have another large business hence the reason for the un-necessary extra stress as I was wondering if leaving the camping holidays for a few years until the boys are a little bigger - I'm terrified of going away and being miserable!!!

I like a touch of luxury too. We did stay in just a field last year but showering isnt fun in the caravan and my hair was revolting by the end (still had a fab time). I do like nice toilets etc and paying that bit extra doenst bother me.

We had a terrible experience when I was just pregnant with DS2, the caravan sank in the mud, I felt awful, my husband was sick and the caravan was caked in mud!

Prob stick with the old awning for now and test the water.

where are you ? we go here insidepark dorset. lovely showers. huge tesco down road for supplies of wine. i sit outside in the evening and drink a glass of rose, don't you know. no ruffing it here. we cook steak on our cadac, huge bbq. tis fab. no need to ruff it, if you don't want to, you know !!

We got our caravan when DD was 5 and DS was 2. They love it and are so laid back when we are away. It's so less stressful than going to a B&B or hotel where you worry about them making noise, mess etc. They just run around and love the freedom.
We do take scooters, bikes etc for them, but always have a box of 'indoor' toys too. Playmobil is fab as its tiny to pack. The children have their allocated storage so they know where everything of theirs is.
We are lucky as our caravan has an area which we say is the childrens and at nighttime when they have gone to bed, we shut that 'room' off so as to not disturb them .
Enjoy!!!