Tent camping Mom and 3 kids

[disnutt]

Just wondered if any mothers have taken their kids by themselves? DH can't go when I want to go and I'm really wanting to try tent camping at WDW.

Kids will be 11, 7 and 4. Have done short camping trips in past. We would not be cooking just a cooler for b-fast.

Any hints/suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Just wondered if any mothers have taken their kids by themselves? DH can't go when I want to go and I'm really wanting to try tent camping at WDW.
Kids will be 11, 7 and 4. Have done short camping trips in past. We would not be cooking just a cooler for b-fast.
Any hints/suggestions would be appreciated.

We did this past December but my kids are a little older. Our biggest problem was many "I wish Dad was here to see/do this, too". About the short camping trips you took in the past; were they without the DH too? If not, maybe you can have a practice run of setting up the tent with the kids before you go. (Although they make tents so easy to set-up these days, it's easy for one person to do).

 

[disnutt]

We did this past December but my kids are a little older. Our biggest problem was many "I wish Dad was here to see/do this, too". About the short camping trips you took in the past; were they without the DH too? If not, maybe you can have a practice run of setting up the tent with the kids before you go. (Although they make tents so easy to set-up these days, it's easy for one person to do).

We've had to travel w/o DH before so while we would rather have him there we are used to the wishing he were there.

We've only camped w/ DH but we did sleep in our tent in the back yard w/o DH. I'm usually the one who puts up the tent while everyone else plays. My eldest child is pretty good about helping.

Was it creepy getting back to the tent at night? Wonder if little luggage locks on the access zippers would help so I could tell no one was lurking in my sleeping bag?

 

[Mickster]

We do go without DH, but with my parents, so my situation isn't quite the same. There is a lot of "wish dad was here to see this" or "Dad would let me", but I just take a lot of pictures and have them talk to him on the phone. It works pretty well. Just let them know before you go that they are going to have to help. A lot.

 

[clkelley]

Was it creepy getting back to the tent at night? Wonder if little luggage locks on the access zippers would help so I could tell no one was lurking in my sleeping bag?

I tried the little locks on my zipper pulls my first Ft. Wilderness trip and gave it up after two nights. It was just too much trouble.

I love tent camping at Ft. Wilderness, it's the best!!

Bring the chairs, and an extra shelter to relax under

 

[Janet Hill]

Not Fort Wilderness, but I use to tent camp a lot my daughter and her friend when they were 10-12. We had lots of fun. At the time I was divorced so no problem with the "gee I wish dad were here." And at the time this was the only type of vacation we could afford.

We always had a great time, no cooking, just lots of pb&j and fruit and whatever else we could keep in the cooler.

One great thing about camping, campers are generally friendly people who will help you out when in a bind.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Was it creepy getting back to the tent at night? Wonder if little luggage locks on the access zippers would help so I could tell no one was lurking in my sleeping bag?

We didn't do anything to our zippers to lock them or anything and I never felt uncomfortable about being there on my own with the kids. When we were there on the weekend our loop was completely full and it was fun to walk through it and see everyone's camping set-up and say hello. Then after everyone left on Sunday and the loop was almost empty, it was kind of fun to walk through it with no one there. It had a very peaceful feel to it. They sell tent/camping lights that have remote controls if you'd like to be able to get a light on inside your tent as you're approaching it (you can hang it up on an upper part of your tent so you can see into and around your tent before you go in).

When do you go?

 

[Whosemom]

I take my kids tent camping without dh, but never to fw (he'd cry). The first summer we did it they were 8, 5, and 3. We have a blast. Dear ol' dad makes things complicated, while I more go with the flow, so its a different kind of camping trip.

I always feel safe. And I wouldn't think twice about that at FW. When you look at all the "big money delberts" around, why would someone break into your tent? You can always make comments about "Daddy's sleeping" or "Daddy will be meeting us in the park and coming back tonight" if you think someone's paying too close attention. LOL. tell the kids ahead of time. "Nuh-uh Mom,you said he had to work" blows your cover.

 

[disnutt]

Dear ol' dad makes things complicated, while I more go with the flow, so its a different kind of camping trip.

QUOTE]

Sounds like my husband!

Thanks for all the information. I'm going to pick a day and get something scheduled! It sounds like so much fun.

 

[Tent Camping Dad]

Saw this topic and thought DW had two more kids without me!

 

[disnutt]

Saw this topic and thought DW had two more kids without me!

Oh, I would have titled it something different if I had known I would cause you such a scare!

 

[tkd lisa]

I'm a single mom, and I took my kids last spring.

One thing I'd strongly suggest is to practice setting up your tent at home, with only you and the kids. I had scout camped without my ex- and knew I could do the site setup alone. But if you've never done this, you might be surprised at how hard it can be.

You also don't say if all the kids are girls. If one of the younger ones is a boy, do you feel comfortable with them going to the comfort station by themselves (for toilet and showers?) My son was almost 13 when we did this, and he was fine by himself. I don't think I would have been comfortable with a 7 year old doing this alone.

 

[disnutt]

You also don't say if all the kids are girls. If one of the younger ones is a boy, do you feel comfortable with them going to the comfort station by themselves (for toilet and showers?) My son was almost 13 when we did this, and he was fine by himself. I don't think I would have been comfortable with a 7 year old doing this alone.

My oldest 2 are girls. My youngest is a boy he'll only be 4 so I think he's still OK to go into the ladies' room. I wouldn't feel right about letting him go alone at 7 either.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think you'll be fine! We've done days without dh,and had a blast! Your kids are old enough to help you set up and take down,and the hardest part is cooking,so you should be fine! I would think anyone bothering your tent shouldn't be too big a worry...

 

[annakris1973]

My oldest 2 are girls. My youngest is a boy he'll only be 4 so I think he's still OK to go into the ladies' room. I wouldn't feel right about letting him go alone at 7 either.

I still make my DS7 got to the restroom with me....and I won't apologize for being overprotective... Now, if he were 13....we might get some strange looks!!!!!

 

[hsmamato2]

I found this stuff online called Nikwax, supposedly I can spray my gear,and it'll be waterproof, like my tent bottom, anyone ever hear of it? it's not that expensive,at least it's cheaper than a whole new tent! the ones we were looking at were close o $300....on sale.....yikes

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

I was a single mother with three children for years on end and the only way I could afford to take the children to Disney was to tent camp at FW. We absolutely loved it! Very safe and secure! One thing you'll find at FW is that all of the other campers are very helpful. When someone saw that I was having a bit of a problem getting the tent up they came over to see if I needed some help. One thing I do suggest is make sure the kids each have a flashlight for at night when coming back from the parks late at night as well as to go to the comfort stations. My youngest is a boy and I also made him come into the women's comfort station with me. We didn't get any dirty looks from anyone so don't worry about that.

 

[juligrl]

Was it creepy getting back to the tent at night? Wonder if little luggage locks on the access zippers would help so I could tell no one was lurking in my sleeping bag?

I grew up going on weekend tent camping trips with my mom and sister. When my girls get a little bigger I hope they want to go tenting with me! We always take Christmas lights and put them on a timer - I'm the Christmas light queen of my neighborhood so of course I have timers. We never have to come back to a dark "creepy" campsite. Plus it looks kinda cool.

 

[annakris1973]

I'm glad you posted this thread! I am a mom with a DH who just doesn't do disney This year we have a timeshare for the majority of our trip, but wanted to stay another 2 nights. I mentioned tent camping at FW to my DS7, and he was jumping with excitement. But, now that I am thinking about being in the tent at night with the kids, I am getting the heebie-jeebies. Any encouragement is greatly appreciated!

 

[disnutt]

I grew up going on weekend tent camping trips with my mom and sister. When my girls get a little bigger I hope they want to go tenting with me! We always take Christmas lights and put them on a timer - I'm the Christmas light queen of my neighborhood so of course I have timers. We never have to come back to a dark "creepy" campsite. Plus it looks kinda cool.

Do you put the lights on the tent? That sounds like fun!

Annakris- I've still got some worries. However, it probably isn't much different than staying alone w/ the kids at a hotel (after I get the tent pitched, I mean!)

I think having the lights around the tent area would make me feel better. I always hate walking into a dark hotel room and running around to do my bathroom/closet boogie man check. I'll make sure to have my cell phone with me, too.