We've been camping for a fortnight in Devon or Cornwall every year for the past 8 or 9 summers. Imagine our surprise (and slight horror) when our boys announced this year that "we don't want to go camping this year, we would rather do something different"!!! Is that it, camping done???
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My eldest is 16 and doesn't want to go camping for our main holiday. The younger one still wants to go.
This year we aren't going to France anyway, only grabbing weekends away. We have given eldest the job of researching weekend sites which has grabbed her interest. She will be off to Uni in 2018 and then she can make her own plans. Until then she does what we decide.
I'm looking forward to when it is just me and the wife downsizing the big tent, being able to camp and go sightseeing, visit museums and not having teen strops to deal with.
My children got to that age as well. They did their own thing for a few years. I'm back to camping (on my own ) now which i thoroughly enjoy. The funny thing is my daughter and her husband bought a tent a few years back and have since upgraded and are happy camping. My son would enjoy it still but his wife 'doesn't do camping'. He has camped with the lads though.
It probably is until they are old enough to go on their own holidays. Then you & o/h can start camping again. So don't flog your gear, you can use it again in a few yrs time.
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Quote: Originally posted by sleepyol on 10/2/2016We've been camping for a fortnight in Devon or Cornwall every year for the past 8 or 9 summers. Imagine our surprise (and slight horror) when our boys announced this year that "we don't want to go camping this year, we would rather do something different"!!! Is that it, camping done???
I'm tempted to say they should be doing what you, the parents, decide. At least until they are old enough to be left behind/do their own thing. (I do concede, however, that I'm old school, when it comes to parenting!)
Once that time comes, I'd say you will find you've never had it so good! Adult only/Child-free camping is the bee's knee's!!
As to the here and now, like I say, if you still want to carry on camping, I'd be telling them they have no choice for now. However, if you are the sort of modern parent that likes their children to be involved and have an input (And no... I certainly am not saying that's wrong... just different, to how I did it!), then I guess all you can do is just that... Sit and discuss the preferences and options, and take it from there.
Either way, I most definitely agree with Opensauce... Do not get rid of that camping gear! Your best times are ahead of you!!
Quote: Originally posted by sleepyol on 10/2/2016
We've been camping for a fortnight in Devon or Cornwall every year for the past 8 or 9 summers. Imagine our surprise (and slight horror) when our boys announced this year that "we don't want to go camping this year, we would rather do something different"!!! Is that it, camping done???
I've just been through this. I'm a widow and my lads are 18 and 19 now. At about 15/16 they started to make their thoughts known about going camping - which was they didn't want to go.
At first I was able to tempt them in to 'one last holiday' by going to a site that offered wifi and lots to do.
Next year I was doing well to have them join me at all! They were still too young to leave unattended. Not that I didn't trust them...but I don't trust the idiots they call friends.
I bribed them into coming on holidays with me by hiring a holiday cottage. It was small, so instead of having a camping holiday in a tent, we had a camping holiday in a brick tent.
The following year one of them had started an apprenticeship (electrician) and so was actually working away for the first time and staying in a B&B with a group. The other lad and I went on a camping holiday in a tent, but it had to be a wifi site.
This year I don't really know what'll happen. The apprentice electrican one is likely to be away working away again, the other one is now in University and I've no problems leaving him home on his own now as he's living independently term time anyway.
I think it will just be me and the dog. We'll go camping for the main fortnights break in July. For the first time I can go to a quiet, out of the way campsite that I prefer, rather than look for one with wifi.
I must admit that we are old school parents also and the children had to come away with us until we felt that they were old and responsible enough to be left at home. We did however, choose places together ensureing that there was enough entertainment for them.
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A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Is this the end?
