Petite campers how do you...

[Frog253]

..manage to erect a tent? DH is really keen to start camping, I am keen too with one reservation and that is putting the tent up in the first place.
I am short with a slight frame and very little upper body strength. We have three children and therefore we need at least a six berth tent. Added to that we would prefer a polycotton tent which is heavier than the equivalent polyester types. Some of the tents we have been looking at are lovely but their size puts me off.
DH is strong but the DCs are too little to help much. I appreciate that we need to practice in someone's garden before we go but really want to hear from other shorties who successfully pitch tents. Otherwise I can see tempers flaring and nights is the local Travelodge.

Just practice. I'm five foot dead, dh us six and we manage our six man tent just fine. Also did it with a five foot five female friend last year (in the rain). We were fine. They're not really that difficult. Just read the instructions carefully, and practice the first time when you are under no time pressure at all. The first time we did it took 2 and a half hours, now we can Di it in just over half an hour.

What about those pop-up tents that you can create a modular set-up with? (See Aitch's thread "I love my tents" or something like that that's active now.) They get great reviews and I can't think that height and strength would make a difference.

Otherwise, would you consider a bell tent, or do you prefer separate rooms?

I am tall but I put our 6 man Montana up on my own whilst dp looks after the kids, so there is no reason why your dh can't put the tent up alone once he has had a bit of practice.

Thanks for your suggestions, reason tells me that other families manage with two adults. I think was just a bit daunted after looking at one of our tent options erected rather than on the internet.