Camping with Kids
So I took the kids camping. A test run of just one night to work out what we actually need and how the kids cope with it. So based on what i learned last night, here are my tips for camping with high needs children.
#1 - DON'T DO IT!
Just don't that's all i can say.
But if you still want to give it a go...
#2 - Make sure the boys are WEARING their shoes when you pull out of the driveway. Don't assume they are in the car simply because they WERE in the car. See. The. Shoes.
#3 - be prepared to make the trip part of the holiday. Lie to them about how long it takes to get there and STOP the car the moment they get ratty. We stopped by a river and the kids got excited looking for tiny mud crabs. Breaking up the journey recharges the m.
#4 - if you didn't bring a billy to make coffee in the morning BUY ONE. If you forgot the one from home and don't want to buy a second, you think you can manage without that morning coffee for the sake of $20? 😂😂😂 no. You cant. Buy the damn billy.
#5 - if there happens to be a total fire ban in place on the day you arrive, buy takeaway in town. The little monsters, i mean angels, will not appreciate a cold dinner and they'll make sure everybody knows.
#6 - no matter how disorganised you are and how late you are running, near enough isn't good enough. Clean the car PROPERLY. Any junk you leave in the car now will get in your way later, especially if you are using the car as your camper. See below what didn't fit once we converted it to sleep in. And for goodness sake vacuum the floor. I know you are going to bury it under mattresses but trust me the old chip crumbs and half eaten nuggets will work their way to the top and your toddler (or autistic 8yo. FML.) will try to eat them. Because there's a fire ban and you gave them a cold dinner. Or because kids are gross.
#7 - mosquitoes do not fear aerogard or mozzie coils. See below for a small sample of what happens when you drown yourself in aerogard and sit next to a mozzie coil. Good luck with the citronella but remember no flame during a fire ban. Don't camp in January, period.
#8 - when you are all settling down for sleep and you see the biggest whitetail spider you've ever seen in your life, suck it up and kill it quietly. For the love of god don't let the kids know!
And most importantly:
#9 - Consider their attention spans. If they are short (the attention spans not the children) make it a short trip, move from place to place or at least take them away from the campsite EVERY DAY. The moment they start fighting, they are done. We got to our campsite at 6pm and left at 10am. Keep moving.
#10 - look for the gems. The moments. Hunting mud crabs, feeding the ducks, spotting wombats in the dark, learning to make toast and charcoal marshmallows. Making memories and learning life lessons. 💋