Not quite 2 years old camping?

[PEANUT1]

My husband is dying to go camping with our kids..not necessarilly to disney but somewhere. I think our youngest is too young. She is 22 months.

Am I being paranoid? Any opinions appreciated.

Andrea

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Never too young to learn how to set up camp, chop fire wood,,learn to run from bears. rotfl2: just kidding)
Seriously, just keep a good eye on the young'n,,everything will be fine.
And it really isn't too young to start learn'n bout camping.
We didn't start camping as a family til my son was in his teen years,,wish we'd started sooner.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Never too young to learn how to set up camp, chop fire wood,,learn to run from bears. rotfl2: just kidding)
Seriously, just keep a good eye on the young'n,,everything will be fine.
And it really isn't too young to start learn'n bout camping.
We didn't start camping as a family til my son was in his teen years,,wish we'd started sooner.

I would also like to add that fishing is a great fun to teach your children and makes for great family time.

 

[Us3]

I have 3 girls and two of them are preschoolers. Our youngest is 2 1/2. We've been taking them camping since they were a few months old.

I do however understand your hesitation because 22 months is sometimes a very "challenging" age. So I say it all depends on your dd and how she handles situations of being away from her bed, if she is able to fall asleep in unfamiliar places etc etc. It may take a few trips to condition her to understand what it's all about...but once you get past that...I bet she'll be begging you to go camping!!!

Camping, fishing, boating...its some of the best memories I have as a kid. As much as my girls seem to like it now...I think it will be the same for them.

 

[YodaGirl]

I have 3 girls and two of them are preschoolers. Our youngest is 2 1/2. We've been taking them camping since they were a few months old.

I do however understand your hesitation because 22 months is sometimes a very "challenging" age. So I say it all depends on your dd and how she handles situations of being away from her bed, if she is able to fall asleep in unfamiliar places etc etc. It may take a few trips to condition her to understand what it's all about...but once you get past that...I bet she'll be begging you to go camping!!!

Camping, fishing, boating...its some of the best memories I have as a kid. As much as my girls seem to like it now...I think it will be the same for them.

Very good advice.

Personally, my DD is 19 mos old, and as much as we'd love to take her, we're just too hesitant right now. BUT we're only hesitant because she can be a light sleeper (not a good set-up with someone else possibly moving around in the same room/tent as she is), plus I'm nervous with her around campfires.

She'll be 2 1/2 when we take her to Ft. Wilderness, which with the exception of some sleeping in the camper in the driveway to get her used to it, will be the first time that she'll have been camping.

I'm right there with ya on being hesitant. Your DD is a few months older, and children vary so much that she may do just fine. Just trust your gut. Mommy-intuition is usually right.

 

[Us3]

Andrea, I probably share this picture too much on this board...but it shows the joy kids experience doing this kind of thing! This is our youngest dd (she was 27 months here) at Disney's FW fishing and catching a "BIG fish" (as she fondly says).

 

[PEANUT1]

Thanks for the replies. My husband doesn't like to put things off for tomorrow because he says you never know what the future holds. I feel like we have plenty of years to do these fun things with our girls. We do plenty with them now. Disney 2x a year, sesame place is around the corner, the beach etc.

My youngest is a handful. Very adventurous, no fear, stubborn, and independent. These are also the reasons I lover her so. I just worry about her wandering off....I know I would be watching her like crazy but still.

Maybe I will try an overnight camping trip later this summer and if that goes well, we'll try something longer in the fall.

I knew my fellow mommies would understand....my husband totally doesn't see the dilemma.

Sonya, I love those fishing pics. My husband has taken our oldest fishing....and they had a ball.

 

[Us3]

My youngest is a handful. Very adventurous, no fear, stubborn, and independent. These are also the reasons I lover her so. I just worry about her wandering off....I know I would be watching her like crazy but still.

hehe...sounds just like a 22 month old! Best of luck to you! The good news is that they are usually sooo tired at night they fall right to sleep...but then again, so does mommy and daddy!

 

[Escape Artist]

I think it depends on what "kind" of camping you want to do. In a big trailer or RV with a full hookup at WDW? No problem. Camping in a tent in the woods where you're going to cook the meals over a fire? For me, no way.

We've camped with our kids at all stages, but I really tried to avoid tent camping in the woods during the "crawling but not walking" and "early potty training" stages. If you're busy with food and cooking, you're going to need someone else to keep an eye on the kids, especially if they're adventurous and you're new at it.

Camping at FW makes camping pretty easy. There is food readily available to buy (including a restaurant open three meals per day), all sites have electric and water, it's not so dirty/dangerous and if you spend your days in the parks, the kids will be too tired at the campsite to do much beyond sleep. It's not at all like camping in the woods somewhere.

Little kids *love* camping, and you probably will, too. Have fun!!!!

Sue in Texas
...never camped until I was over 35...

 

[AuburnJen92]

Why don't you try camping in the front or back yard first and see how they like it and then go from there?

That is how we got our toddler hooked...he is now 4

 

[frdkngcbra]

My wifes sister and husband came camping with us and brought there 14 month daughter with. She had no problems at all and we were tent camping. She had to stay in the tent most of the time though as we all became targets for wisconsin mosquitos. Never go camping in wisconsin the week after record floods and rains. Normal wisconsin mosquitos were bad enough but I think these were on steroids after all that rain

 

[ntsammy5]

I sometimes act like a 2 yo and I LOVE camping

 

[5stljayhawks]

Hi Peanut1 and welcome to the wonderful world of camping,

I am not sure how to guide you on this matter… I guess my biggest question is why the hang-up?

Research the local conservation department or maybe ones in the adjacent states, they can provide a wealth of information, also there is company called REI… I would highly recommend finding out if there is a local store and paying it a visit. With a little research (reading boards like rv.net) , and talking with others you will find your comfort level will rise. BTW- camping in the fall with the changing of the leaves is pretty neat, as well as the spring, when the turkeys are gobbling, AKA mating season….

Ultimately, I see this as an opportunity in front of you to unplug, relax (that is relative to how you camp) and spend quality time with your kids and husband…. Bring a camera, start a scrap book, and do a little planning/kid game research ahead of time and you will find the time you get to spend with your kids in nature are some the best…

As parents we have a responsibility to introducing our kids to nature, and showing them what is out there beyond the TV set and the internet… BTW go to walmart pick up a bunch of glow sticks….. at night, let the kids wear them as necklaces it’s a great way to keep track of the them…. One kid has one color and other kid has another color…


I have three kids 5.5 2.5 and .5. All went camping before there were 4 month old. Port-a-cribs are great.

Enjoy and if you would like to chat off line let me know.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I sometimes act like a 2 yo and I LOVE camping

sometimes?

 

[clkelley]

I guess my question to you, is taking her "out" period a challenge, or does she do well in public situations.

Unfortunately, camping is work, (especially tent camping), and sometimes dealing with a toddler is "work", and combining the two can be a challenge.

Let me qualify my statements by saying my two boys were LOTS of "work" as toddlers and I wasn't a really good baby momma. Now once they turned about 7, that's when I started having fun with mine. (Then it ends again about 14)

 

[gon2wdw55]

I remember our first camping trip we were moving out west in a covered wagon and wife had son did ok campfires and sigalongs every night made it all the way had a great time really go for it they are never to young and you will have great memories good luck

 

[Momof626x3]

My two youngest were 26 mos and 10 mos in this photo...first time camping with the youngest one. We went for walks, they played in the dirt (ate some), explored the campsite. It was a lot of work...but it was also a lot of fun! We stayed in a TT though...I don't think I would have done it in a tent! Like the PP said, porta cribs are great...and I always ran a fan for white noise to help the baby sleep.

 

[g8trmom1]

We started camping while I was pregnant with our third. We started taking him when he was 8 weeks old!! Middle of the night feedings, bottles, sterilizer, baby swing, pack n play, we had it all!! He's now 20 months, and we've gone camping quite a bit. Now he's at the age where he's toddling around and very curious, but I keep him close by or either in his stroller or in his "baby cage" outside under our big Gator tent. I just don't want to let him to walk around and meet up with critters or into the roadway where the cars, RV's etc are driving (sometimes faster than they should). He's fine with it so far, and my older two absolutely LOVE camping! We've created memories to last a lifetime!

 

[ntsammy5]

I keep him close by or either in his stroller or in his "baby cage" outside under our big Gator tent. I just don't want to let him to walk around and meet up with critters

Can he come out and play with the otters?

 

[Teresa Pitman]

My son and his wife are tent camping this weekend with their three children who are six, three and thirteen months. I've been going up for day visits. The baby normally nurses to sleep and sleeps with his mom and dad, so that part has been pretty easy. Really, the kids are so tired that they go to sleep very easily and sleep through everything. It's the adults who get woken up by noisy people at neighbouring campsites.

The baby has been walking for a couple of weeks but is not very good at walking on the uneven ground around the camp, so he falls down quite a bit!

Teresa