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 Topic: Exhausting trip and mixed feelings
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02/9/2013 at 2:34pm
Location: None Entered
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Well we came home a day early. I was so exhausted. Even I am so not sure about camping now. Tent getting cleaned up as the site was dusty and full of seagulls lol. all I can say is we will either camp again next year or sell tent and just before camping season. Don't get me wrong I love the tent and the camping but. It's the camping with 4 kids I am not sure I can handle. Mainly due to appalling behaviour, constant demandd and not even having time to sit and enjoy the view. Not helped by mr W's heart clearly not being in it.
One Katie feeling gutted
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02/9/2013 at 2:51pm
Location: North Wiltshire
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Oh no, what a disappointment after you had high hopes for this trip.
You have to do what is right for you and your situation though. No good doing something that makes your holidays miserable.
Good luck with what ever route you decide to go down.
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02/9/2013 at 3:48pm
Location: Sunny Suffolk (West)
Outfit: inflatable dome Palamos6 frame tent
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Do your children behave better when you are on your own when out and about? I find camping just me and the girls less stressful than with hubby. Not sure if they behave better or I'm more relaxed even though hubby isn't a reluctant camper I prefer to do things my way.
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02/9/2013 at 4:10pm
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Poor you it can be exhausting and we've only got 2 ten year olds. Can you afford to stay in a static rather than camp? Having running water and no setting up and putting away makes life so much easier and you still get the camping experience if you stay on the right sort of site. I would keep your camping stuff as it does get easier as the little monsters get older or you could try camping with friends as the kids can play together while you can get time to socialise. Also with friends you can share cooking, etc.
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02/9/2013 at 4:43pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5
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Sorry to hear you had a bit of a stressful time.
My hubby doesn't do camping so I go without him!
My kids aren't that bothered these days and only come away with me occasionally so I just go on my own!
I find that FAR more relaxing as I only have to please myself!
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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum
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02/9/2013 at 4:53pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442
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Katie, may I ask where you went? I ask because the site can make a massive difference. ie did the kids have the chance to meet and play with other children? (Obviously I don't know how old yours are) If they are old enough to "play out" then they both enjoy themselves and tire themselves out too. Some sites are tucked away from roads and the kids seem to have a ball. I'm thinking Fforest Fields for example.
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02/9/2013 at 6:26pm
Location: Scotland.
Outfit: Conway Camargue Lots of Vangos. .
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You're all newbies, that's the problem. It take time to train kids in the ways of living on a campsite, same as it takes time for you and OH to learn the tips and tricks that make camping a bit easier.I had years of camping experience under my belt before we had kids but the every year brought a new learning curve as we camped with baby, toddler, baby and pre-schooler...etc etc.
Now they're 11 and 16 I can delegate practically any task to them so I can sit down and look at the view now, yeah! But that's only happened in the last three or four years. Camping with kids is not relaxing in the sit down sense! It is however a LOT of fun once you get into the groove, but I well remember the days when I would lose half a stone per fortnight on our camping trips, just chasing around after the kids.
Was the problem that your OH wasn't pulling his weight? Two options there, a "full and frank" domestic discussion as to his negative attitude or go on your own, with or without kids. As has been said it's actually easier to take the kids solo than drag a reluctant OH along, the kids only have one parental line to follow and you can suit yourself as to what you do. I had many happy trips when the kids were small and OH was working away so couldn't come with us, I'd take a pile of easy food, my knitting, go to a kid friendly campsite and just go with the flow.
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02/9/2013 at 7:08pm
Location: East Sussex
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Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 02/9/2013
You're all newbies, that's the problem. It take time to train kids in the ways of living on a campsite, same as it takes time for you and OH to learn the tips and tricks that make camping a bit easier.
Wise words, Val (as ever!).
I also wonder if new campers try to cram too much into their time away, to make sure the kids have fun.
One of my mates describes camping as "enforced relaxation". He reckons that because everything takes longer than it does at home, you have to slow down to camping pace. Once you get into that groove, it's much more relaxing.
You also have to let your standards slip a bit. You'll never look as smart or glam as you do at home, so get used to it! The world won't grind to a halt if the kids go to bed grubby now and again, either, or if you just swill your coffee mug out with water rather than give it a proper wash. A certain amount of mess and clutter is inevitable imo.
Give it another try, maybe just you and one or two of the older kids, for a couple of nights. You might find it much more fun without OH and his cloud of negativity.
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02/9/2013 at 7:57pm
Location: Cavan Ireland
Outfit: Kampa Filey 6 classic
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Katie - our first trip was not so good either - the whole fighting to put up the tent - how people are not murdered I have no idea ! BUT the main thing for us was the site - it was a very popular site and was recommended by everyone but its just wasnt for us.
A few weeks later we tried again and both of us loved it. The tent was up in no time - site was quiet and suited us perfect.
dont give up after the first time and try again - already we are both planning to go to France next year and are even going to visit a camping shop this weekend !!!!
I love it - hubby not as keen as me but I think he is coming round.
All our kids are very young so have no opinions on it yet .
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family of 6 and camping novices
July 2013 - River Valley - Co. Wicklow
August 2013 - Nore Valley - Co. Kilkenny
April 2014 - Silver Sands , Wicklow
June 2014 - Camping des 4 verts , Camping Haliotis
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02/9/2013 at 9:24pm
Location: Scotland.
Outfit: Conway Camargue Lots of Vangos. .
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Quote: Originally posted by fran1000 on 02/9/2013I also wonder if new campers try to cram too much into their time away, to make sure the kids have fun.
One of my mates describes camping as "enforced relaxation". He reckons that because everything takes longer than it does at home, you have to slow down to camping pace. Once you get into that groove, it's much more relaxing.
You also have to let your standards slip a bit. You'll never look as smart or glam as you do at home, so get used to it! The world won't grind to a halt if the kids go to bed grubby now and again, either, or if you just swill your coffee mug out with water rather than give it a proper wash. A certain amount of mess and clutter is inevitable imo.
I agree with this as well. Trying to do too much that is?
How often do you see new campers roll up with a humungous tent and every camping gadget under the sun, not realising just how much time it takes to set up said tent and all the extras. even if they've done it before it takes time and the more you take with you the more time it takes to set up.
And four hours later, with the kids incoherent with hunger.....
Then they think they have to have special campsite gourmet meals. And discover that everything takes x2 the time to prep up, and x3 the time to actually cook it. Then there's where to put the dirty dishes and how long it takes to get them done.
Coming up close to 11pm and "curfew"....
And then there's the kids. They won't be able to calm down and are still hyper while you're discovering that taking four kids to a shower block at once is...almost impossible. Then you get back and it's dark and you can't find anything in the tent, and they won't settle down because they can hear everything outside, and the OH has gone off for a grumpy walk. And then one of the kids needs a pee but won't use the porta-potti and so you have to trail back to the loo block...and you have to take them all, because they don't want to stay on their own and you're not sure it's safe.
And then when they finally go to sleep OH comes back saying he's found the local pub (quite obviously!) and you get a tad narked...
Dawn breaks, and the kids wake up. You've not slept a wink, your OH has snored right through it all.
And the kids want to run off and play in the stream. You want a cup of tea. One of the kids has wet the bed, despite the four trips to the loo in the night. You can't find the tea bags and the gas regulator has jammed. Oh is still dead to the world....
I can go on...you've only been on site for 18 hours, you've got four more days to go!
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02/9/2013 at 9:45pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 5m Bell Tent & Olpro Pop Tent.
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Oh Katie did I not want to read that. I really wanted to hear you had a great time. What can I say apart from I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do. Geoff
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02/9/2013 at 9:57pm
Location: Cavan Ireland
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Val - Brilliant - I love it x
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family of 6 and camping novices
July 2013 - River Valley - Co. Wicklow
August 2013 - Nore Valley - Co. Kilkenny
April 2014 - Silver Sands , Wicklow
June 2014 - Camping des 4 verts , Camping Haliotis
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02/9/2013 at 10:00pm
Location: Leeds
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Oh Mrs Wombat, don't lose heart.
It can take a while to get into the swing of it. You have to find the right tent (i'm still looking after 4, although pretty settled on this one), you have to find the right site for your needs, my next-door neighbour went to a Haven site, yet you wouldn't get me on Haven. You all have to 'learn' what camping is all about. But once you get into it, the kids have their 'jobs' and expectations. My daughter is an adult now so she takes it all in her stride. But she was a teen when I started again. In a too small tent, the year Boscastle flooded. We almost de-camped to the toilet block. The public transport was once every couple of hours, the nearest town was Dartmouth, £7.50 bus fare each. The following year I went, bigger tent, 'family' site, more going on, easy transport, close to a beach.
We all learn from our experiences. Why not try a long weekend camp next time? Or dare I say a Glamping site with tent already erected? It's tricky making sure everyone is satisfied and we shouldn't have too many expectations on ourselves. Camping can be trying, rain, wind, floods etc.
Don't throw the towel in yet, give it another go, maybe try a camp with some like-minded friends.
Above all else, keep smiling and planning next time
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47 and only just learned how to work a sleeping bag
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02/9/2013 at 11:43pm
Location: Oxford
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Sorry to hear that I too had high hopes for you lot on this trip too. It's a shame that your condition fatigues you and makes you more reliant on the rest of your family as you seem to have the perfect attitude for camping. As was said do you have friends who camp, maybe some shorter communal trips would educate the rest of your tribe to life under canvas. or also the glamping route, take the tent erecting and setting up camp out of the equation, get a big stick to beat the kids with and leave the old man at home. Sorted!!!
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03/9/2013 at 2:38pm
Location: Tidbury Green
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Val as always, you make good point(s) and even better sence 
Having said that, I loved your first post, but reading your later post I'm now concerned that we are actually married........... "gone off for a grumpy walk........."
Guilty as charged 
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03/9/2013 at 4:28pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Brilliant Val, you possibly summed up our first camping trip. Things can only get better Katie don't give up just yet it will become easier the more you do it.
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