Very discouraging trip

[BirdLand]

Good for you for hanging in there!

Don't give up - we've had many trips like that with our DS's (still do), but looking back, it certainly seems that the good have waaayyyy outnumbered the bad.  I am sure it will be same for you someday; sometimes it just seems like all the crappy times seem to follow in succession and it's hard for us parents to catch our breath (either from yelling at them, hyperventilating because you are trying not to break down in tears of frustration, or from trying to hold it in while you count to 10... ) 

[Gracy]

I felt the same way after our last camping trip on Memorial Day weekend.  We have 2 children, DS is 6 and DD is 3.  We were hoping that this year it would be easier than in the past.  DS sleeping was better (that was a big issue in the past; she would wake up around 5 times a night, screaming and very hard to calm down); no kids in diapers.  But my kids are in a arguing/fighting stage; my DH and I were setting up camp and it wasn't 2 minutes until  someone's finger got smashed with a rock, the screaming started and it was like being at home again!  It was similar for the rest of the weekend, with a few peaceful moments.  Packing up was really stressful; it was hot, humid, and kids were cranky.  I was very upset driving home, thinking that this was our last trip, I'm going to sell the camper...by the next morning, I cooled off and decided that they were not going to ruin my camping dreams and we shall commence with future camping trips.  We may have to alter some expectations, chill out a bit more, and hope it gets better so DH and I can enjoy it more.

WOW!  I can totally relate to this!  I think the only non-stressful set up and tear down we ever had was when DS was 18 months and DD was 8.  When we arrived the baby was sleeping so we quietly got out of the truck and he slept through the entire set up and then when we were ready to leave it happened to be right around nap time and we buckled him in the car seat and put the DVD on and by the time we were done and ready to leave he was sound a sleep!  NEVER HAVE WE BEEN THAT LUCKY AGAIN!  hahaha But yes, we have to hang in there and know that they will be grown and not wanting to camp with us at all before you know it ;)

[chunkycamper]

 hmmm- maybe a little chamomil tea(calming) or some warm milk with a little molasses to sweeten. milk has a little triptofan in it to naturally calm-turkey also has this-good for a snack or meal. we also adored our portable swing till both kids were about 2 1/2 years.  Good luck!

[httyuwma]

We had a difficult child until she was 2.  The only thing that worked for us was a battery operated swing.  It was like magic.  Put her in there, turn on the music and sing ABCs and that's all she wrote!

[Clarabelle]

We raised 8 kids.  You never know, but sometimes kids will change from one time to the next.  Don't be surprised if he does fine the next time.  Sometime they just need some time to get use to new experiences.  Good luck, and remember, this too shall pass. 

[sissa75]

We just came back from our next trip.  I can't even begin to express my joy at the complete 180 degrees difference this trip was from the last.  The baby loved it.  He went to sleep in his own bed every night without a peep.  He is a really light sleeper and did wake up and end up in our bed every night as we went to bed.  That was fine tho,  I just didn't want my night to end at 7:30 when the baby went to bed.  We also were directly next to a sight with a great family who had four kids.  We have a 1 yr old and an almost 4 year old boys.  They had 4 and 5 year old boys and the kids just had a ball together. We also ended up sharing a campfire with the other family every night, it really seemed a good time was had by all.  By the way the Rubbermaid tub bath is the best pre bed time routine!

Melissa

[TRMA18]

Hell after our first trip to the beach in the camper when DD#2, I came home and sold the camper. 4 years later we bought another one and had one ever since.

[Gman]

Good to hear things got better this time around. Camping can a fair bit of work, camping with kids generally makes everything MORE work. If it makes you feel better, rest assured you're not alone. You're part of a club of millions of parents out there camping with their kids. We've all had our challenges along the way. Hopefully at the end of the day, the good stuff will outweigh the bad and you'll keep at it. I think in most cases, as you've now seen, things will get better  .

[gtstricky]

It will get better!!!

 

My answer to situations like that involve a lot of  's.

[ilovecamping]

We didn't camp when the children were little but we started taking DGD when she was 2.  She did fine and still does but she has and still does sleep with someone.  She is 7 now and we are trading our TT for an HTT so we have 2 beds.  DH is tired of sleeping on the couch while DGD sleeps with me.  She is very excited and has already picked her bed.  She too has always had movies/TV to go to sleep with. 

[nmccarroll]

This too shall pass...

Any kind of disruption is difficult with young children, and especially with teething babies! I would definitely agree with the baby-wearing suggestions. We did as much as we could to keep the routine and surroundings as close to "normal" as possible.

Our kids are now easier to get to bed in the camper than they are at home. Last summer we had our best overseas trip yet because we rented a small motorhome rather than traveling by rail and air and staying in hotels and relatives' houses.

Someone called the police on us in a resort when DS was a baby. He was screaming in the night cutting teeth, and they decided that we were hurting him. Sound asleep by the time the officers arrived though. It was a real downer on our vacation. :(

Nikki