For all parents out there getting ready for a camping vacation, here’s some summer reading from DCH Audi Oxnard that might come in handy.
A Father’s Tale
My wife really needed a vacation, notwithstanding the one she took to Florida less than a month before, by herself, without our five children. Yes, our five children, the ones I had to take care of during her absence. This time, though, she wanted a family vacation, one that included me and the five children. To save money and give the kids their first taste of one of life’s most classic family bonding experiences, we decided to go camping. We may or may not have been prepared for what that would really mean.
For those who don’t think parenting is hard enough, I encourage you to pack up the kids, enough comfortable clothes to withstand 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones, every possible toy that might occupy a toddler for up to three minutes, bikes, scooters, helmets, five pairs of shoes per kid, a first aid kit, 23 books, and enough ibuprofen to satisfy an ultramarathoner—and head to a campground near you. Oh, and don’t forget sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, a minivan full of blankets, and a tent.
But your sanity? You can leave that at home. There won’t be enough room in the van, anyway.
My children are all under the age of ten. If you decide to take your children under the age of 10 camping, allow yourself at least six days to pack the minivan. If you do not have a minivan or a comparable automobile, don’t go camping. The minivan is, in fact, the greatest development in family camping since the creation of the tent. It serves many purposes, the most important being a place to put your kids when they’re in time-out.
Here are some other essential items when camping with kids.
- A big tent. Only because sleeping in a minivan is uncomfortable and smelly. You could rent an RV for what it would cost to take the entire family to Maui. I’ll take the beach front condo, thank you.
- Portable crib(s). The portable crib, commonly called a pack-and-play, might be the greatest invention since the minivan. Your two babies (yes, I have two kids young enough for cribs) should not sleep on the ground, with or without a sleeping bag.
- Baby backpack. At home you can set the baby down on the carpet with only a slight risk that she’ll put something totally unacceptable in her mouth when you turn your head. While camping, the only place to set your baby down is on a pile of dirt. Put the baby in the back pack.
- An MP3 player loaded with soothing music. You’re communing with nature, sure, but rest assured that there will come a point during your kid-friendly camping trip that you’ll want to assume the fetal position and start sucking your thumb. Mellow tunes are the antidote you’ll need.
- A good pair of running shoes. Each parent will need an excuse to get away, and although you haven’t actually run for nine years, morning number two of the campout seems like a great time to trot a few dozen miles.
- Food. You foolishly prohibited the bringing of electronic devices. Your only option to keep the kids from driving you insane is food. Bring lots of it, the junkier the better.
- Baby powder. It works wonders when removing mud from your children’s legs.
I won’t bore you with the details of my most recent outing, but suffice it to say I used all the above items—multiple times.
In all seriousness, though, a family camping trip is a great way to bond, enjoy the outdoors, explore new activities, and travel together as a family without breaking the bank. Sure, it takes a lot of planning, not to mention packing, but I’m pretty sure you’ll agree it’s worth it in the end.
