Anyone camped with their DCs as a sole parent?

[PosiePootlePerkins]

Not sure I've worded that very well, I'm not actually a sole parent but I have a DH who works away a lot of the time. We are just about to buy a campervan, brand new, 4 berth, fridge, hob, grill, heating, toilet. I am hoping to be brave enough to take my two DS away for weekends on my own when DH is working away. I was just wondering if anyone has done this, if they felt happy/confident doing it, and if there are any top tips. We live in Hampshire so can easily access the New Forest, or somewhere along the South Coast. My boys are almost 8 and 13 and are pretty sensible. I'd love to think I can do it, but am a bit apprehensive.

Yes done it. 3 of us in a very small tent at the Wilderness Festival one year.
Shell Island with the dog and a borrowed big tent (but there were other friends there albeit in their own tents). It nearly blew away during the night in a massive storm. Hanging onto it wearing a wet nightie, socks and wellies at 2:30am getting drenched and trying to re-peg it up was not the finest moment. Dcs (and dog) slept all through the drama.
Last year did the big adventure with Explore so were in a mini bus travelling and hiking with a guide and 3 other families. 3 single Mums and a couple. Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back down Route 66. Included sleeping bags outside in a Navaho indian reservation to be woken at dawn to see the sunset in Monument valley. Unforgettable experience.
Memories. That's what matters.

Yes. With a 6month baby, 5 and 7yr old. I took two small tents and kept everything really simple. Only went for 3 nights and went to a well established site. It was good. Really liberating.

Wow Fancy now that is impressive! Yes to memories. Definitely. Not being sad that DH isn't there, but being glad that we have something lovely to do the three of us

Raaaah also impressive! Gosh I didn't think I'd get so many amazing replies! Thank you wonderful MNers.

Yep done it, too! Went for 3weeks to France,... 2 kids (4 & 9) and the dog in a smallish tent.
Best holiday I have had - only thing is, campaign with small children can be exhausting.

I'd say, be organized and plan things, but don't be disappointed if it don't work out.

Yep! Drove from Yorkshire to Cornwall for a week's tent camping on our own. Kids were 17 and 7. We all loved it! I didn't think anything of it but almost everybody we came across said how brave I was! (Kept valuables like purse etc. locked in the car but other than that, didn't worry about security or safety.)

Yes, with a 2 year old. Drove a few hours from home somewhere I'd never been before, borrowed a tent and had no idea whether I could pitch it once there. Bought a little stove and couple chairs. It all went fine, DD adored it, stayed an extra night. We were blessed with mostly good weather. Bed times are most difficult. Whereas at home I have stuff to do, sharing a tent in a field with a toddler I struggled to entertain myself. Also electricity to charge stuff was minimal. Planning another trip this year.

I've done camping with just me and my DS (dh hates camping and works weekends).
Generally I love camping but I'd enjoy it a lot more with more grownups - makes me wonder whether a mums net campsite get-together might be a thing one sunny weekend?

Absolutely! I took mine in a tent on my own from when they were 2.5 and 4.5. Now they are 10 and 8 it's much easier! Good fun too, I throw all the rules out the window when we are camping, staying up late, eating rubbish etc etc. Great memories made every time. Go for it!

peukpokicuzo now that's an idea! Who knew there were so many of you who've just got on with it? I feel like a bit of a wuss for worrying now

I took both DCs to a very family friendly festival last summer - DH was meant to come but pulled out at the last minute citing work..... DCs were 5 and 3. It was awful, but that had more to do with the fact that we were sleeping in a boiling hot 2 man tent and DD refused to use the loos and I was worried she'd get a bladder infection and DS was allergic to the sleeping bags and no one slept at all and we decided to commute from home instead which was MUCH better. And had showers. But if you have the right kit I'm sure it would be great?! (We were woefully underprepared..... )

Yep. Several times a year since oldest DC was 2. Festivals and full holidays. I love it and love camping. Partner hates it so more fun without him! Things that make it less stressful: get a packing system-whatever works for you- so things are logical and easy to find; don't sweat about food, do easy stuff; keep the kids warm at night; don't stress about showering them; have whatever you need to relax (mine is a glass of wine, chocolate, head torch and a book once kids asleep); make sure you can put your tent up; and have the right tent for what you want to do (I have 3- a brilliant pop up for spontaneous trips, a back packing one and a five man with canopy for longer trips).

Yes with kids that age you'll be fine, don't even have to worry about supervising them in the shower etc and they're old enough to be helpful, wash up, make you tea etc.

I have 3 DCs and I find it easier camping alone with them than going with XH or with DP and his DCs. I get stressed when people don't do things right with camping, e.g. Dcs going in the tent before it's properly up, keeping mucky shoes on, dragging the sleeping bags outside to pick up bugs etc so I find I can keep it more controlled if it's just me and my DCs . Makes it sound like it's no fun, but we all have a great time, just with a nice clean tent to retire to!

Loads of times, tent camping.

Not really sure what the problems would be with an 8 year old and a 13 year old! Of course they can go to the shower / toilet on their own, and on a campsite with trees and hedges, in the night the boys will just wee behind the van / tent.

I do, too.

Or a bucket.

We like sites where you can have a fire. Sitting round a fire, whittling sticks on which to toast marshmallows, keeping the fire going, is evening entertainment in itself.

I did this for years as DH worked away. One DC (from the age of 2) and a dog . My tip would be to keep it simple, I never took too much stuff or a small tent and had the kettle on within 20 mins.

DD loved it and often asks if we can go on our own which is slightly trickier now DH doesn't work away!

I used to camp in Spain and France with mine, started when dd2 was 18 months old & dd1 was 7. DD 2 usually did the map reading - it never really mattered if she went wrong as both countries are littered with campsites.

DD was old enough to play with other DC and have fun, dd2 was happy swimming and paddling etc or playing on a beach.

Camping is great on your own with DC as it's far more sociable than other holidays

Did it for a couple of years running when the kids were a bit younger and had a lovely time. Went for 3 to 4 nights at a time. Got stuff like a cooked chicken, crusty bread and pasta salad from local supermarkets so I didn't have to cook.
The dc are almost teens now and not as easily pleased sadly.

I have! I went camping in a tent in Cornwall with DC when they were 10 and 8 and our dog who was 6 months old at the time. Looking back I think I must have been mad to consider it, but it was one of the best holidays we've had for not much money. Definitely do it!

I camp and glamp loads with my children (11 & 9) and have done for the last 4 years. It's great fun and easier the older they get. I food plan well so don't take excess stuff. They usually make new friends, and we often go to the same place which is very wild, full of woods, streams and rope swings. Both are now experts in fire lighting and whittling.

Yes, I took DD for 2 nights alone last year, aged 10 (DH swears that he has passed the age for sleeping on the ground). I hadn't camped for 17 years, until I went away with the Cubs the previous year. DD had done 3 camps with Cubs over 13 months before we went "solo", and we went to a site which we knew was quiet, had decent wash facilities and allowed us to light fires (Scout site in a quieter time!).

She loved it! Our cubs do almost no pitching of tents, but DD had a reasonable idea of what to do so held things, and knocked in pegs with the mallet etc.

She went off to get firewood more than me! Although I tended to carry the water barrel when full.

She really adored the freedom to wander around the site, climb trees, gather sticks to start the fire, paddle in the lake etc. We did a long hike with a swim on the middle day, played cards in the evenings, and 1 night she was "adopted" by a Venture Scout unit and taught how to make dreamcatchers (while I sat and drank tea with the leaders, as per usual Scout Camp tradition!).

The hard part is pitching and striking camp, so a 3 night trip would be better than 2, and I definitely wouldn't just go for 1 night with a tent (campervan would be different though!). Make sure your sleeping area is warm enough (insulate under the sleeping bags as well as having blankets for over the top in a tent), and enjoy the adventure! I agree about keeping food simple, and always bring a pack of cards, and maybe a favourite board game/book etc.

I am currently in the process of planning another outing, either 2 or 3 nights, for another week towards the end of this summer, with DD. DH works very hard and travels away a lot, and we will have a family holiday earlier in the summer, but this is a nice extra "girls adventure" for DD and I. (And maybe her Godmother).

(For ideas of how to camp, set up a campsite, what gear to bring, easy food ideas, outdoor skills etc, there are loads of great resources on the web - adventure stores, Scouts and Guides, and loads of YouTube videos as well!)

Oh yes - bring a first aid kit with lots of plasters, and let them have a small knife to whittle things - they WILL cut themselves at the start (hence first aid kit) but there are reasonable resources on how to use a knife on the Irish Scouts website, and even better ones on the UK Scouts website. Have a read of them well in advance at home, all of you, but let them enjoy it!

I camp several times a year with ds now 11. We always have just tents but usually ensure there is a shower on site. Ds is an only child with autism so I'm careful with planning of activities and keep a fairly close eye if he plays with other children on the sites. I take a lot of battery and solar operated lights and usually cook as he's fussy with food. I also take a tablet with a couple of movies on in case it rains or he gets overloaded and needs to zone out, mobile phone battery packs are my best friend for this as we never get ehu. With a camper van ehu is probably helpful and far easier to cook in it. We also have fairy lights up around the tent so if we need to go to the loo during the night we can find the tent again.

I also drove through France for 16 days camping each night which was a massive mission! It would have been awesome to have a camper instead. It's a bit scary doing these things on your own for the first time but you'll be fine after the first couple of times. The figuring out what to take is and what to leave can take a bit of trial and error.

I've been with my boys a few times.
We go with another mum and her kids. We have a great time , can put the tent up, kids are great helping to cook and they entertain themselves while we drink wine in the evening 🍷 Enjoy