New to this aspect of camping ! I will hopefully be camping again this season, but as a single male parent, how do other parents keep the kids entertained and is there any groups to join...Cheers
look in the single/solo parent group and you willl find a lovely bunch of nutters. the kids all sort of get together and entertain themselves. usually a footballl or manhunt when dark gets them all joining in.
take a look at our halloween for nutters meeting we had 2 weeks ago.....
------------- scooby44
Jan Hope 1 nite
Feb Marsden 1 nite
Feb Glencoe 2 nites
March Edale 1 nite
April Edale 1 nite
April Edale 1 nite
May Riverside Nutters / DSG 4 nites
May Well i hole 1 nite
June Edale 1 nite
June Jersey
July GNBC Edale 2 nites
July Edale 1 nite
July Portugal
August Tribfest
I usually camp alone with my two - far less hassle than dragging OH along. In the past I have always looked for family orientated sites, usually with a play area on, or some sort of indication that there is somewhere for the kids to play. Kids are now old enough to disappear by themselves and play with other kids. Even my son who is a bit of a lone often finds another game freak on site.
I'm a single dad in Birmingham and was concerned with the whole thing about putting the tent up, watching them every minute whilst alone, loo trips, etc.
I've done it once with the extended family which was ok as there was always someone around to keep an eye on them, entertain them.
The other issue I had was the tent as when I'm alone I don't fancy putting up our montana lake alone so have just bought a quechua base family pop up family size tent and am going to try it for a weekend once the weather warms up a bit.
There is a northern group of single campers on here and I did plan on joining in with them at some point if time allows a bit later in the year. Or failing that maybe we could start a midlands group, although camping in the midlands usually means at least an hours drive away to find somewhere decent so maybe not that useful.
Either way, I wish you all the best, and may you and your kids have many great adventures together.
When mine were young, I took them to the loo with me, and had (indeed still have) the porta potti for at night. Have even used it during the day when the loos have been a hike away, or weather really bad.
From day one I have given mine jobs to do, like holding the pegs, helping peg, with me giving the pegs a "mummy sized" knock
Alice helped with the water, and Pip with the bins.
I had the rule that when we got on site, we may have had a snack, depending on how the journey had been, but before anything else we go the tent set up and the beds ready - then we would look around, Now they go off and play while have a cuppa and then do the rest in peace. Knowing that nothing got done until the tent was up and we had somewhere to sleep made them help. (Mean mummy I know.)
First time I went solo, it was either go solo or loose our holiday - no contest.
Depending on the age of the kids things like colouring books - I used to have a load of crayons etc just for cmaping. Family board games. This like DSs - ideal for when they can not go out (don't forget the Poundland headphones), stuff so that they can entertain themselves while you have a bit of a chill.
If you are unsure, go for a weekend, to a site within an hour from home, that way if you don't like it then you haven't got to face a massive journey.
Hi ,Thanks for that folks, Paul that sounds a good idea but as you say it's the travelling..my two are Emma 12, Liam 9..they enjoy camping we have been going as a family for a couple of seasons now got all the gear and a bit more as you do..but things have changed..I love camping and want to make the most of the time with the kids..and for them to enjoy it still too..cheers
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Topic: Single parent
