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I've lost my mind and I'm taking the twins camping...
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    Anyone have any advice or tips for taking 15 month olds camping?  I'm supposed to be leaving tomorrow morning after we have a doctor's appt for shots.  Ya, well planned...  We're asking for trouble right off the bat, except our boys usually are knocked out by shots and that should make the 3 hour drive uneventful.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm scared shitless.  Three days in the woods with people that like to put everything in their mouth.  :-/  OH and we can't forget our 5 month old puppy and big dog that are coming too!  We wouldn't want to get a moment of peace or anything. 
  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 3,137Member
    @TorturedbyTWINS it depends on where you are camping. Do you have all of your gear? I literally just blogged about this. See my post:

    http://becomingbillyhove.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-camp-with-babytoddler.html

    Bottles of water. They will think it's fun to drink out of them. And they may pour it all over themselves, but whatever. It's summer. It's camping.

    It's lots of fun. I'm at work right now on a big project, but you can call me if you want or message me or whatever. PM me if you want to contact me outside of SM and I'll send you my info.
    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • meandmy243meandmy243
    Posts: 6,620Member
    Do you have the portable fence! it will be a life saver.. it aldo a good time to pop out a new interactive toy but mostly keep them busy and they should be really tired by night fall.. also keep zippers up high or doors locked..
    mom of wild children
    going to the chapel 7/5/2014
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member

    @Shate98  Yes we have all of our gear and we are back country camping, so no "camp ground" or other campers to hear the wailing in our tent.  I enjoyed your blog, handy advice!

    @meandmy243 I don't know why but your zipper comment gave me a lightbulb ah ha!  Smart, very smart!  I think I will also grab some fencing for the lil wild monkeys, good call!

    I'm just a little concerned with activities during the day...  we will be walking dogs, that's a big deal right now.  Hell, WALKING is a big deal.  Daddy is gonna go fishing, we are gonna try to watch without busting heads on rocks by the lake or drowning.  My biggest concern is I can't keep an eye on both of them at the same time.  I'm thinking I might tie them together so at least chaos stays in the same general direction! 

    I also am scared of how they are gonna take to napping in the bright outdoors or going to bed in a tent.  I have a feeling that's not gonna go well.  Oh, and off roading on very mild roads with little heads and necks.  We still have them rear facing and our truck is incredible off road but I worry.  Guess when all else fails I'll just duct tape em to trees and take a nap.  hehehehe...

  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 3,137Member
    @TorturedbyTWINS I can tell you that naptime is THE WORST. Especially if it's hot. Sometimes I just give up and let him stay up and be a grouch until he literally falls over asleep. For bedtime I've given up and bedtime is "dark", not the usual bedtime. It's hard to convince someone to sleep in bright light. In hindsight, the summer solstice was not the best planning for camping with toddler. Nor is midsummer. :/ The good news is that the long car ride home is usually spent sleeping due to lack of sleep over the weekend. Even off nap schedule.
    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,388Member
    No advice
    just have tons of fun and bring the kennel!
    Don't forget to take lots of pictures!
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • meandmy243meandmy243
    Posts: 6,620Member
    Leashes? my lo had a monkey leash... kept him safe.. also maybe back pack carriers..
    mom of wild children
    going to the chapel 7/5/2014
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    Never done it with double trouble. But we used a baby sling and back pack with Sunshine, always keep in eye sight and arms reach. Water bottles with rocks in it are excellent toys, naps are hit or miss, rotate watch duty often or they will tire the crap out of you. If you make a fire it attracts kids like moths so be careful with that.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member

    Kennel, leashes, (for dogs and kids) baby carriers, camera packed!  It's freaking midnight and we still have crap to do.  I think the Kennel can double for kids too... hehe!  Thank you everyone for your help! 

    @Shate98  Your lists have already saved my ass!  Adding that to my iphone note pad for future camping trips! 

  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    @torturedbytwins let us know how it gos, because 12-14 months from now I'll be dealing with "them". So any pointers are appreciated
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • Lakegirl34
    Posts: 1,976Member
    Was checking in to see of you made it out of the woods?? Haha
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    DUMB IDEA.... DUMB....  I'm disappointed one of you didn't mention WTF are you thinking?  LOL...

    First we heard this noise in the middle of the night and it was LOUD, like if you've ever heard a peacock screech like a lady screaming... that loud.  We had no idea what it was and couldn't wait to research it when we got back.  This is what it was...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irk6acsIyyU   (Skip to the one minute mark on this video)

    Also, our boys haven't played outside much, so we didn't need toys because the wilderness is amazing.  Phoenix is insanely hot so they won't experience much of the great outdoors until October here.  15 month old kids who haven't worn shoes more than 3 times and have no clue how to walk on rough terrain are miserable.  A 6 month old puppy and an old dog who was neutered late in life and loves to mark things means a wondering old dog into the woods and an idiot pup along for the trip.  The pup also kept bumping into the unstable boys and that was chaos in itself.  Then it rained.  The rain wasn't the problem, the mud was.  Apparently cheerios and mud is a delicacy to my children.  OH and so is dog food.  Normally our dog bowls are outside, so the kids thought dog food was WAY better than anything I could offer them.  We took pictures instead of stopping them, I know, bad mom.  
    I also had this idea of all four of us snuggled up on the queen sized air mattress sleeping soundly.  Not happening.  First, my poor husband has read about co-sleeping disasters so one baby was snuggled with me in the middle and the other was in front of my DH on the edge of the mattress.  DH was between two kids and terrified that if he fell asleep he'd roll onto one and kill them.  He didn't sleep.  He finally made a little space on the floor next to the air mattress for "his" baby and got a little shut eye. A very little amount, because the fox started yelling in the woods.  Then the dogs barked.  

    We woke up at the crack of stupid because camping is really exciting to little people.  The tent was way to humid and hot to nap in, damn me for laughing at the idea of a tent fan.... totally needed one.  The hike down to the lake was about a mile of very steep scary terrain with a 20 pound baby strapped to each of our chests and back packs full of swimming gear, lunch, and towels.  Down wasn't so bad, it was the UP that killed me. Mental note... must work out more!  

    So, other then the nonstop falling, crying, dirt caked hands, snotty noses from still being partially sick, screaming because rain is loud in the tent, over tired, non-nap taking, screaming because the lake water is not bath water warm, wandering too far from our camp site and driving me crazy, it was the perfect camping trip.   Oh and did I mention they kept falling out of their mini-camping chairs?  

    At one point when they were taking a short lived nap DH decided to go back down the steep hill and get some fishing in.  He did manage to watch a bald eagle fish.  By the time he got back up the hill to help me with dinner I was ready to kill him.  

    We packed up in the rain on the final day.  All hopes of taking our blow up boat on the lake were lost.  We bought these adorable little sleeping bags for the boys that turn into tiny backpacks.  I thought, "How cute would it be if I grabbed the big bags and the boys carried their own little backpacks to the truck with me for daddy?"  Not cute.  The first kid toppled over and  thinking it was a fluke I harnessed the second one into his backpackbag.  Not a fluke.  The second kid was on his side wailing.  It was like watching two turtles flipped on their backs.  Apparently babies can't even manage the lightest of weight on their backs, despite hauling a gallon of water all over the campsite during the day for entertainment.  It was such a bad trip at some point you have to start laughing, and this was the point I was hysterical.  

    On the way back home it was kinda funny listening to DH try to imitate the crazy sound we heard in the woods at night and we agreed that this was the WORST camping trip we will ever have.  See, the boys will learn to walk over terrain in shoes sooner or later and I have learned what we needed to bring (lots more liquor) versus what we could have lived with out (less breathing things to take care of).  Next time camping will be better, and if it's not I'll be too drunk to know otherwise! 
  • momsaidnomomsaidno
    Posts: 1,801Member
    Omg one minute into video he screamed gah!! Scary fox

  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    @toyoungtofeelold   good point, I edited my insanely long camping post so I don't waste further minutes of anyone's lives between my long winded writing and videos!
  • momsaidnomomsaidno
    Posts: 1,801Member
    I feel bad for you guys!! Hopefully in another year it will be more fun!!

  • meandmy243meandmy243
    Posts: 6,620Member
    Sounds like a trip to remember!!! congrats on surviving and the good news is you made it through and can do it again..yes im insane!!! try a campground next time they are a little more family friendly...
    mom of wild children
    going to the chapel 7/5/2014
  • blkrosemommablkrosemomma
    Posts: 296Member
    At least its not something soon to be forgotten!!
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    @meandmy243 I was already suggesting that to my DH on the way home.  We just need to have more convenience until they are big enough to carry some weight and understand English!  Lol   DH is from Montana though and camping is not camping if you're in a campground apparently.  I think he's changing his mind rather quickly.  
  • [Deleted User]
    Posts: 2,528
    HOW FUN! If you can do this, you can do ANYTHING! No advice, but good luck!
    Get me a damn beer.
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    I wanted to tell you don't do it, but I had to see the outcome. Thank you for being a Guini pig
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,707Member
    DON'T GO!  What are you nuts?
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,867Member

    duck tape, insect repellant, leashes, and charge up an i pad for dora the explorer or spongebob or whatever they love that they will miss. what sadist talked you into this? will not be fun. wait until they are at least 5 before camping trips. but, if you insist, be sure to take benadryl liquid with you, in case of allergic reaction to god knows what. and a full first aid kit. totally not kidding about the duck tape. i have made an oxygen tent for puppies, and butterfly bandages out of it before, in a pinch. punctured tire? fix a flat, chewed up nasty gum, and duck tape slapped on top. got me to a safe place, and a decent service station.

    edit: leashes for the kids. otherwise, they will think their names are "no! hot!' and "no! bad!"

    i'm nekkid.
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,867Member
    i mean, a FULL first aid kit. with sutures and that sensitive skin tape. not the paper tape. the good stuff. i think it's tagaderm tape.
    i'm nekkid.
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    @undercoverbanana we have a crazy well equipped first aid kit complete with skin staplers.  We used them once on a dog, and they work!  I think 5 is a great age to start this insanity but since we have no money this is a cheap and easy way for us to get out of town and change the scenery.  You have tons of great advice and I think I'd love camping with you just to watch your ingenuity when shit goes wrong! Dh also has an entire crate of "vehicle recovery" supplies.  We have a winch on the truck but also have axes, shovels, hilift jacks, and this list goes on and on.  We are almost too well equipped.  There's hardly any room for us in the truck!  

    I think we should take up a different hobby, like napping, or reading quietly for long periods of time! :-D
  • undercoverbanana
    Posts: 7,867Member

    @torturedbytwins  trust me, it's much more entertaining to hear about it than actually be there..............but, you sound like a brave lady.............

    "leaves of three, don't put them on your butt, or your sibling's face..." maybe that's not how the rhyme goes....but good to remember. toddlers and camping are like playdoh is to carpets in a place that has a REALLY HIGH rental deposit...........but good luck. keep your phone charged. you might be the fluke, and it could be awesome.

    i'm nekkid.
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,785Member
    OMG I laughed the whole way through!! Congratulations! You made it out alive!! I'm taking my 3yo camping at a festival in late august. There's still time to back out!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • loveitloveit
    Posts: 1,738Member
    Omg sounds awful! I wouldn't have done that in a million years...its miserable enough just camping with my bf! (Never again)
  • GrainneGrainne
    Posts: 891Member
    I didn't post when you first posted because we had such a terrible time with our twins on the one and ONLY camping trip we tried when they were about 2.5 and at a campground. It was great during the day but night was a nightmare and we got no sleep. Kudos to you for going! My husband said afterward we would not attempt again until they were older lol
  • stinkersmommystinkersmommy
    Posts: 1,387Member
    We made a pact not to take Stinker til he was five and now i am sooo glad we did!!
    Glitter Words
    [Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Words*]
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,189Member
    Ya, our pact was to wait on Disneyland until they are 5.  Their grammie is OBSESSED with disney and goes with her friends about 3x a year.  The pressure for her to be there for their first Disneyland experience was so great I took them at 3 months and they sat in the stroller and slept the entire time. That way Grammie took them before they were 5 like she insisted and they won't remember a damn thing so it will still be exciting when I take them.  I also can't afford to take em 3x a year, so I want it to be a big deal, not just a regular event.  I only went once when I was a child.  I was 12 and I couldn't sleep the night before our trip.  

    As far as the camping thing goes, it's amazing what the kids have learned from it.  They actually WATCH where they are walking now.  They aren't tripping over their own toys and falling as much.  It's making life at home easier.  They also slept really well at night in the tent.  I'm hoping that once they get past putting everything in their mouth it will be better.  I just have to woman-up and better prepare for future camping trips.  They are bound to happen several more times before they're 5 in this family.  
  • deviltwinsmommadeviltwinsmomma
    Posts: 2,388Member
    MAD PROPS FOR SURVIVING. YALL THINK IM JOKING ABOUT THE KENNELS. But when y ou take hard headed twins camping sometimes its by any means possible if you want your twins to come back home with y'all
    I hope your twin b is your court reporter like my twin b
    She goes into detail on every move twin A makes. which I love it can determine when and how to punish Lol
    Your life will NEVER be dull with Twinkies on board. Good luck and try camping again when they are out of diapers and potty trained
    my mother used to sing me a song. It went like this: "Life is short, life is shit, and soon it will be over.
  • BeautifulDefianceBeautifulDefiance
    Posts: 755Member
    It gets better @torturedbyTWINS I took a 5 and 6 yo camping this weekend and it wasn't too bad. Next time more liquor less toys! :)
    I prefer not to think before speaking. I like being just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth.

    SMSM_s_5

  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 3,137Member
    @torturedbyTWINS it gets better even in a few months. Every time we take DS it gets a little easier. Maybe it's just me getting used to the mayhem. Two is twice the madness, but I promise it gets easier. This past time I didn't have to entertain him. He spent the entire trip singing "wheels on the bus" to the RVs or watching the helicopter carry water to put out the forest fire. Made life easier! (has anyone ever said that a forest fire made their life easier?)
    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,785Member
    Bumpity bump! Im going camping next weekend. Just me and B. I have a 2man tent and ive ordered an airbed (im glamping!) 
    Im trying really hard to pack light though. 
    Checklist anyone??
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • BeautifulDefianceBeautifulDefiance
    Posts: 755Member
    One set of jeans and long sleeve shirt. I bought dollar store ice packs and they came in very handy. Sunscreen. Color books and crayons. Pail and shovel. Bug spray. Lantern or extra flash lights. Have fun!
    I prefer not to think before speaking. I like being just as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth.

    SMSM_s_5

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