Family camping

[pbmindpaintball]

I like family camping, but sometimes you just wanna go out with your friends and camp. Do you guys know what i mean.

[algoan]

I definitely felt the same way when our son was a very young toddler.  It seemed like camping was just too much work, ya know?  But now he's 5 and can actually contribute... or at least keep himself occupied while mom & dad take care of set-up/break-down.  We actually enjoy ourselves much more now then when he was 2 or 3.  And in the next couple of years, we plan to invite some of his friends along too.

[Jennifer]

I tell ya what, I go camping with a 11 month old and a 6 year old (both girls) and the older one is more work than the baby.  She always wanting to be on the go "Let's go swimming,fishing or bike riding" it's always GO,GO,GO.  The baby loves the outdoors, the only big problems we have had is trying to fish and getting her to sleep.  She used to being rocked to sleep and listening to her lullaby music, so we now take her for a walk  in her stroller, which so far has been working.  I  imagine it would be harder with only one child though, I at least have the one to entertain the other during set-up  and breakdown of camp.  But to me it's worth it to get away from the city and spend time together.

Jennifer

[betias]

I tend to agree with Jenifer.  Camping with the family is really a lot of fun especially when you have kids.  But sometimes they can be really energetic and persistent about the "go" factor.

When are we gonna go riding, biking, swimming, look for crocodiles, catch fish, play hide and seek, climb up to the peak, etc'

But is mostly fun to get away from the norms of modernization and reflect on nature and God.

[tasari]

Sometimes we think that are kids keep having energy, but when they sit/lay down, then they are quickly asleep.
Then you have some peace for yourself.

[Dave]

You are right, in the evening around the campfire is usually adult time.  The kids are wiped out and ready to go to bed.

[tasari]

but of course you need to go sleep at time, because kids are often excited and quickly awake and you aren't 

[XeroSolution]

I just recently came back from a trip with my Dad and his friend. Just the three of us guys, we all left the families at home and had some male bonding time. I really wanted the family there but sometimes you need a break yourself. Also my baby just turned 9 months and felt it was just a little soon and probably way too much work to bring him at that age.

By next season March/April I think the Wife and I will be a bit more comfortable bringing our Son along to start enjoying the great out doors. Glad to see some other thoughts on this as a parent.

[tasari]

I agree with you XeroSolution. If your child is a newborn or still very young, I think you will have more time to put in the "good" care of your baby then enjoying the camping itself.

[betias]

I agree, that baby is just too young for the roughness of camp life.  Plus, at that age babies do not always sleep quietly.  Best to let them grow some more.

[betias]

I know couples who get a baby sitter and go to camp.  A baby just does not fit in too well.

[tasari]

And of course if they are too young (under 1 year) then don't even remember it and you want to do it for your kids too

[betias]

May be that's true Tasari.  I always rembered my first camp trip to Cops, OH.  It was quite a mountaneous ride and I remember at one point it seems like the trees were coming towards us.  This is one of the wonders of Cops.  At a certain point on the mount, all the trees and even the houses appear to move towards you.

The song writer says it best: memories don't live like people do, they always stay with you, whether they be good or bad, these are the memories that you had.

[tasari]

And you are talking about which age ?

Luckely it was a good memory !

[betias]

I guess I must have been 4 at the time. But I always rember.