So, this past weekend we managed to get out and go camping for Memorial Day. Our church group goes every year, and we went last year as well. I've come to a few conclusions, which I'll share, and hope that some of you veteran campers can help me find more ways to make it enjoyable with small children (without nixing it altogether until the kids are bigger).
The good:
-Warm, dry camper to sleep in, make meals in (since it was too windy to build a fire much of the time), play in and relax in
-Kids having a very good time, especially the birthday boy!
-Family time together- building memories
-Decent weather- only a few short rain storms
-Showers at the campground for needed refreshment
-Good meals/treats that we don't usually have at home, and the dishes situation worked well (paper plates, real cutlery, a few pots to wash)
-Ability to bring family bikes along, although didn't really have a chance to ride them
-Visiting time with friends and family that we don't always get
-My sweetie to make breakfast for us (as seen in below picture)
The not-so-good:
-Pregnant Mommy (yeah, that'd be me) who had to do more lifting/bending/climbing than usual (resulting in poor/very little sleep and much discomfort)
-Recently sick kids who Mommy worried about with the cold wind present much of the time
-A sharp cornered camper door that is just the level of a curious little girl's head (which did get whacked numerous times), as well as her fingers getting stepped on for playing on the stairs
-No enjoyable rest the whole weekend. I did bring a book along, in hopes of reading...it never left it's spot in the truck. I'd love to just drink a cup of tea while sitting by the fire reading. Umm, yeah, that'd be dreaming!
-Too cold/windy to enjoy a fire most of the time (we only had one on one evening for just a little while)
-No potty in camper and too public to pee in woods/grass, spent most of our time taking well-hydrated boys to the bathroom; never at the same time, of course!
My suggestions for better success next time:
-Camp with Grandpa & Grandma (or like folks who can share the work- meals, kid watching, etc.)
-Camp closer to home (we were very tired when we drove the lonnng 3 hours home, and both ended up sick the next day).
-Park near woods so the boys can pee there. (We have a 'bathroom' in our camper, without a toilet, but currently need that space for spare tire and such...rearranging somehow could make it work). I brought along the kiddy potty, but they refused to use it.
-Camp later in the summer when the weather is predictably warmer.
There were two trains of thought (and possibly more out there) as I discussed "camping with little kids" ideas. One was: it's worth the work as the kids love it and will cherish and remember the memories. The second was: it's not worth it. Camp in the backyard and the kids will enjoy it just as much, without tiring out Dad & Mom so much. Then go further away as they get bigger. I think I'm more on the second train of thought at this stage, but we'll see what the summer brings.
