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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

kids 4, 2 and 8 mnths DP says too young for camping WDYT???

25 replies

6inchnipples · 01/06/2009 23:03

i fancied giving it a go, thought it'd be fun. He has camped in past way more than me and i thought he'd be pleased at my suggestion, but instead he said... 'camping with little kids will be a fuckin nightmare, holiday cottage defo'.... somewhat disappointed, i thought it'd be fun. Maybe it was because i suggested outer hebrides as destination, he reckons it'd be too cold.

Please advise as camping virgin (except odd night within 30 miles of home and no kids)

OP posts:

TracyK · 01/06/2009 23:06

too young

Original poster

6inchnipples · 01/06/2009 23:16

feckin nightmare???

OP posts:

rachels103 · 01/06/2009 23:24

4 and 2 I'd definitely say go for it, but 8 months...can't really say as I haven't done it. Depends how placid a child and how laid back a parent I suppose.

Dysgu · 01/06/2009 23:34

We have camped with DD1 several times since she was about 10 months (but we often co-sleep at home so just bundle her in with us in the tent)

We are laid back - which is quite necessary.

We have had freezing cold and torrential rain but coped okay.

This weekend we are taking DD2 camping for the first time (she is 5 months old) as practice for a week away in the tent in August. (yes, DD1 is coming too and very excited about sleeping bags!)

Not sure I would say GO FOR IT if DP does not fancy it - can imagine it would be easy to bug each other and spoil the holiday if you are not pulling together - especially in the cold north.

Overmydeadbody · 01/06/2009 23:36

I'd say it's not too young, how the kids behave and react to the camping will dpened largely on the parent's behaviour and how chilled out or stressed the parents are.

The 8 month old will be fine unless it's a real cryer with poor sleeping habits, but if you are having a good time and stress free and relaxed, baby will pick up on this and also enjoy it.

My parents took all of us kids wild camping all the time (so no showers or loos or taps with water etc.) even when my younger siblings where babies.

If my mum and dad coped with four little girls and a baby boy wild camping on the red sea coast for ten days, then you can do it with three kids.

MAybe not the outer hebrides though

lockets · 01/06/2009 23:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Biglips · 01/06/2009 23:44

i agree with overmydeadbody as if it doesnt work out according to plan then at least you know youve both tried and will do it when the kids are older. OR it may work. take loads of kids toys with you though!

PinkyMinxy · 01/06/2009 23:48

We camped with babies, it's very straightforward and the others two will love it. In fact DD1 was that age the summer before last and it was great. Our DCs have the same age gap as yours, and we are camping this year!

But as others have said you need to both be on board and quite relaxed about it.

Personally we have found camping more relaxing with young children than pristine hotels and holiday cottages.

PinkyMinxy · 01/06/2009 23:51

sorry that should say

Personally we have found camping with young children more relaxing than taking them to pristine hotels and holiday cottages.

WE don't take holiday cottages camping!

Littlepurpleprincess · 02/06/2009 07:22

DS has been going camping every summer since he was less than a year old.

Go somewhere closs to home, the kids don't understand distance so we go 20 minutes up the road and they think we're in Australia! That way if it rains, or the kids don't like it, you can turn around and go home.

Last year my little brother was sick so my step mum took him home, cleaned him up and came back again within an hour and a half!

theyoungvisiter · 02/06/2009 07:29

we went recently with 3 yo and 4 month old. Was really fun but quite hard work - just things like the loos not being near the tent, so everytime you wanted to go to the loo you had to make sure the other parent was there to supervise and/or take all the kids and baby with you.

I think it would depend on the site though - we went to a fairly wild one with an unfenced river running through it, and stayed in a basic tent on a foam mattress that was quite painful to breast feed on!

Canvas Holiday style camping with proper beds etc would probably be easier all round.

flamingobingo · 02/06/2009 07:31

Yes do it. Our friends went last week with a 4yo, a 2yo and a 7 week old.

theyoungvisiter · 02/06/2009 07:32

agree about going close to home - or close to a relative if you want a change of scene for you. For the kids, camping itself will be more than exotic enough.

We camped close to inlaws and it helped to know that there was a get out plan if the weather was horrendous! We also scurried up the road one night for a hot bath for all the family

misschatterbox · 02/06/2009 07:36

I would do it. We went camping when dd1 was 2yrs old and dd2 was 3 months. BF in the night was a bit awkward, but it was great fun and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, when we have our next baby.

Peachy · 02/06/2009 10:15

DS4 started camping at 5 weeks, albeit local to home and with relatives accompanying us.

Go for it- easier now than with a running toddler IMO

We do co sleep, it helps a lot

Original poster

6inchnipples · 02/06/2009 11:03

Mmm well mixed response!

We do co sleep so not a problem having 8mnth old in bed (well no more a problem than usual!!)And b/f so no probs for makin feeds etc

Toilet thing does worry me, both wee ones more than happy to pee on grass in emergency but can see it being a hassle at times.

What about cooking etc do most camp sites have some facilities like a microwave, kettle etc or am i kidding myself!

We live up north anyway so reasonably hardy to cold weather, cold house etc.

Was planning on going a few hours away tho.

WHat are proper beds for camping youngvisiter, i'm a camping novice and have only used roll mats or blow up beds in past.

OP posts:

Biglips · 02/06/2009 11:15

take a child's travel potty with you for the emergencies.

Original poster

6inchnipples · 02/06/2009 11:17

yeah was thinkin a potty would be good. altho have just read a list for things to take camping and i think i'll need an extra car/van.

OP posts:

Biglips · 02/06/2009 11:17

this is an excellent website to use and also heres the list for to see what u need to take wiv u..its actually spot on

Biglips · 02/06/2009 11:18

what type of car do u have? as weve got a peoples carrier and could do with a box on top.

Original poster

6inchnipples · 02/06/2009 11:24

Thanks biglips

OP posts:

Gorionine · 02/06/2009 11:28

6inchnipples I have not read al the thread, just wantd to share my experience. We went camping with 3 DCs, youngest one was not even 2 monts old. It was fantastic. I have to tell you though that it was just 2 hours away from home so we could have come back easily if things had not been working well.

Original poster

6inchnipples · 02/06/2009 13:07

We have a ford galaxy, usually roomy enough for us and all our gear.

Gorionine can i ask where you camped and what were the highlights?? Also were there any midges. Bit worried about being eaten alive!!

OP posts:

Peachy · 02/06/2009 15:54

E mail different campsites to see what facillities they have- if you can travel outside school hols you have a few options.We just got back from one in wales with a kettle, fridge and family bathrooms, anbd there are some with baby baths evenbut mine are probably all a bit southernly for you. The ones with bits of luxury added are about though, and the one we went to when ds4 was 5 weeks was one we knew had decent baby facillities and where we knew people- dh's mate did the evening stuff for example.

babies do get cold in the evenings even in summer so somewhere quiet but indoor in the evening can be handy

Gorionine · 02/06/2009 17:38

we went on Anglesey . There were no midges, just fogg! (only early in the morning though)! We enjoyed visiting Beaumarais castle and just playing on the beach really, we might not have had much more to do if we had stayed longer.

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