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I have 2 under 2, and I will take them camping this summer. I might do alone; Or I might do it with my partner. Either way, this mama blogger is camping with babies (and a toddler) and might survive, or she might not.

My Backyard Camping Experiment

If you follow along on Instagram, chances are you know I’ve been backyard camping with my crew this week. We spent two nights in the tent in our backyard. This is my strategy of getting the kids used to the tent. One of my biggest anxieties of camping with kids is EVERYONE, mom included, having a never-ending meltdown of epic proportions in a campsite. Public humiliation is my biggest fear for taking my kids camping (because I when talk camping with babies, I mean hunkering down at a public campsite I can drive into).

 

Guess what we are going to do tonight? Try sleeping in the tent ⛺️ ? ⛺️ Backyard camping at out place tonight to see if it’s something I wanna try in the wild ? #backyardcamping #getoutside #outsidefamilies .. . . #vitamnn #childhoodunplugged #experimenting #backyardfun #summercamping #raisingawildchild #greatoutdoors #momof2 #momlife #momblog #camping #backyardfun

A post shared by Bailey B (@simplymombailey) on Jun 6, 2017 at 7:42pm PDT

Backyard camping is an interesting adventure. I set up the tent with the fond memories of camping in my own back yard as a young girl. However, when you are the adult in charge with an energetic and rambunctious toddler, and a 3 month old, it’s less than exciting.

The toddler was less than impressed with sleeping in a tent. Just like he is at home. It was not a surprise. My strategy for tent sleeping is to let him stay up until he crashes. I let him roll around in the tent until he crashed at around 8:30pm (normal bedtime is 7pm). This proved to be an okay strategy since it’s not dark in a tent to encourage the normal.

Falling to sleep was the least painful experience, as he then continued to wake multiple times during the night in screams and tears. At times, he stole the blankets and I was cold or on the ground because he’s also a mattress hog..

Little Man woke up to his regular schedule, 6 am; however, the restless night before created a

cranky, tired, miserable, sobbing TODDLER. He was often inconsolable and irrational. I was grateful, we were at home, and I could just turn on a movie, pop some popcorn and leave him to be miserable.

Camping with Babies Night 2

Bravely, I endured the torture again. There was equal displeasure from all parties in the hot tent, and finally Little Miss crashed with Dad inside the house, and my toddler admitted defeat in the pile of blankets (naked). I stealthily put his clothes back on, and stayed up way too late. Little Miss slept all night in her dockatot next to me, and Little Man was a cuddle monster.

There were fewer wake ups the second night, but many more cuddles. He woke up in a much better mood, and maintained a better attitude thru the day. I didn’t feel like trying a third night. Plus the windstorm blew over my tent.

It was kind of miserable, but it was kind of awesome. I think when I hit up a real campsite it will be even better. There will be more challenges beside sleep (like how do I go to the bathroom… with kids in tow), but sleep is my biggest stressor).

 

 

5 Reasons I’m taking the Babies Camping

1. Fresh Air is just good for you.
   • Have you ever met a child whose played outside all day? Usually they are exhausted, happy, and ready to crash. Sometimes, you get an ounce of cranky toddler, but it’s worth it.
2. I need to unplug and disconnect to rejuvenate Me.
   • Honest – I spend way too much time on my phone/computer and on social media. I need to disconnect, and while I try different strategies at home, it’s not always working out for me. We’re going camping, so I’m forced to put the phone away, pull out my real camera, and just enjoy what my life and family has to offer. Oh, and lets not forget the rejuvenating powers the forest, the lake and the trail has to offer.
3. Start a Family Tradition.
   • My mother didn’t really take us camping; it’s just not her thing and that’s okay. My father would take us camping every summer and I have such fond memories of our canvas tent, fishing, and muddy feet around the campfire. I want to establish the same family tradition, memories and experiences that built who I am as a person with my children. They might just be babies and toddlers, but camping with babies is how to begin the tradition and excitement.
4. Establish a positive relationship with Nature.
   • Its well established that time spent in nature positively influences a child’s relationship with the world around him. The more experiences a child has with the forest and the natural landscape, the more likely they are to become stewards of the environment and see the value in maintaining the integrity of our Earth. This value is extremely important to me and my family in ensuring we have the Earth for future generations. It was the topic of my Undergraduate Report for my Bachelors of Art in Environmental Studies. I’ll link a few of my favorite studies and books below.
     • • Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv is a GREAT PLACE to start.
       • I’ve also linked in a few other books I thoroughly enjoyed during my undergrad degree.

5. I need to get out of the house.
   • I’m one of these people who cabin fevers really easily. Being home, alone, in my house without friends and family to interact with really drags on me. It makes me cranky, miserable and just not a great mom.
   • Camping with babies is how I will rock at motherhood because the laundry can wait and you don’t need to mop the floors if you aren’t home.

Are you planning on going camping with your family this summer? Let me know in a comment below.

In the meanwhile, I’ll be planning an epic trip of camping with babies. It is too bad I have too many good ideas, because I’m not sure whether to go to Stuart Lake (Fort St. James), Tumbler Ridge, or plan an epic roadtrip into the Okanagon (that might be too adventurous). I would love to check out the falls in 100 Mile House again…