Don't know if it was a comment on my post, but if it was, I think it was little mis-understood.
Don't get me wrong, I love to see kids enjoying themselves in the fresh air, and would certainly never even consider bringing a TV with us. My comment was on a single incident, that marred what was supposed to be an enjoyable weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I'm sure 99.9% of children on campsites all over the country are impeccably behaved. I am simply commenting that there are parents around who simply allow their children to reek havoc without consideration to anybody else in their vicinity. 10pm was too late in my opinion to be still running around shrieking at the top of their voices
Totally agree with you - we try to get ours to bed anytime from 7.30pm onwards but it's not easy with these light nights and when they can see other kids still up and playing. But they are definitely in bed by 9pm at the latest and quiet play is the order from about 8pm.
We went to a caravan site in North Wales the last bank holiday weekend and were absolutely appalled at the way people with children behaved. We have two boys 2 & 5 and watch them all the time and play with them. At this caravan site we were about the only parents to do so. The majority were sitting inside their caravans on a beautiful sunny day watching TV and drinking while their kids of any age from 2 upwards roamed unsupervised outside. We felt really sorry for the kids - hubby was playing footie with our 2 and we were surrounded by other kids wanting to join in like they'd never seen a parent play with their children before. We saw a 2 year old little girl who was pushing a toy pushchair and was playing with some older children. She then wandered off down one of the roads of the site and I watched the other kids who basically forgot about her. About 15 minutes later she was returned by a concerned father of 2 teenage girls who was asking everyone if they knew whose child she was. He said he had found her a few roads away crying for her mummy. Another woman walked past us on her mobile phone, the conversation went "Hi, it's me - just come out of the pub - are the little ones with you? No, well we'll walk up to the play area and see if they're there" Presumably they were as we heard no more but hubby and I were open mouthed by the end of our stay.
Needless to say we won't be going there again - so maybe I got the replies meant for parents like that.
We haven't got our 'van yet (Sunday!!!!!), but you will not find us sitting inside watching tele. We'll be out and about with our 5 year old. And we can't always say it's always the caravanners that don't mix and appear anti children, because we've had tenters that have been like that and the caravanners have been really friendly. As always, we are a mix of types of people. Although I have noticed the use of windbreaks has increased, and not I suspect as a means of preventing draughts, but more like a fence around the territory! Whilst the people there might be very friendly and approachable, I've always felt like the message is "this is our space - keep out"!
On the whole I love the camping/caravanning lifestyle you describe babydaisy1972 and maybe one time we might find ourselves neighbours, sitting outside our caravans watching our children play in an idyllic setting!
With regards ball games, as a mum of a 5 year old I do feel a twinge of regret when I see that sign, because it means we can't kick a ball about between us, but I do understand the reasons why and I definitely wouldn't want a ball hitting our van/car. Therefore, there has to be a compromise and that means an area where you have to go to in order to play. We would be very naive if we thought all people should be children friendly, they're not, and so having a designated area to play means those who are not child friendly can avoid it and those who are pro children can congregate. It's the only way. I don't believe it is a sad reflection on the current social situation, as a child 30+ years ago we had just the same when caravanning.....not being allowed to play noisily/play with balls, etc.
Who knows babydaisy1972, your next visit to the C&CC site may well be completely the opposite and you'll hate it - I hope not, but try not to avoid us caravanners completely as we're not all bad!
Had to smile when I read your last post as we had a very similar experience at a Haven site near Filey. The kids next door sort of adopted us and our kids and made real pests of themselves which was hardly suprising since their fathers (no mothers in the party) spent all their time lying on the beds watching TV and drinking extra strong lager - and yes I did see them with my own eyes. This started at breakfast and continued until they came home from the club at 11.30pm. Why do some people have kids if they enjoy the "single" lifestyle so much?
This summer will be our first in a caravan - we had a Trailer tent before, so I'm hoping that we won't come up against any snobbishness as my kids are the same age as yours and we sound like we have similar view on what holidays should be all about!
Carrie
------------- Wouldn't it be great if schools and hospitals had all the money they needed and the Army had to hold jumble sales to buy guns!
You beat me to the next post! Since we all have five year olds - maybe we should arrange out own little rally and take turns in looking after them (my two year old is better at football than me - but I'm improving!)
Carrie
------------- Wouldn't it be great if schools and hospitals had all the money they needed and the Army had to hold jumble sales to buy guns!
There were two tennis racquets and a couple of ball left in the locker of our van when they dropped it off. Can't wait to give them a go. Wimbledon is coming up after all!
------------- Wouldn't it be great if schools and hospitals had all the money they needed and the Army had to hold jumble sales to buy guns!
Babydaisy........I think perhaps ball games near vans was mentioned a lot as you specifically brought it up in your original post. I do think your expectation of both parents being able to stay near a sleeping toddler , and have an older child involved in group games within sight is a little unrealistic.
We use CC sites whenever possible as we know that the family sites will have play areas and often designated ball game areas, so there will be no balls flying around the vans. We are not old grumps, our children are grown up (37 & 22), but we have a 15 month old grandson who we hope to take caravanning in the future. But incessant noise and screaming can get a bit trying as Helen said. Children do seem to make more noise these days! IF OH and no 1 GS wanted to play football in the future, I would expect them to find the play area.
Meantime we are enjoying our peace and quiet and tend to take our holidays when sites are not so busy. And though we sit out, and take the TV along, we NEVER have the TV outside or watch it during the day. OH likes the news at breakfast, then we are off out all day, usually BBQ in the evening and only watch the late news and a few of our favourite programmes.
We have never come across these people who sit in their vans all day watching TV, mainly the sites are deserted from about 11 till 4 at least. But if people do want to do that then it is up to them. It certainly is not my idea of a holiday!
Nor have we found other couples to be unfriendly, we have often socialised with our neighbours on a site. Some people are however a little shy so may prefer not to mix too much, that's just how life is. We are all different and need to get along together.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Family camping....
