Taking Lyss camping-YIKES!!! SOS

[Robynn]

I really need some help.
We are taking Lyss camping this summer, and I have never had to worry about a toddler around the camper before, and I am scared to DEATH!
She is trying to climb out of her crib and playpen, and she is so curious and into everything. Our RV is not exactly babyproof friendly.

How did some of you cope-Please no horror stories, God knows I have already imagined every type of accident already. What steps did you take to baby proof?? We are close to a pond, too, and I am totally a freak about drowning too.

My in-laws want to take her too, but I just don't think they will be diligent enough to watch her non-stop. My MIL beleives in leaving kids in the playpen or bed while she is cleaning, and since she's starting to climb out....

This is a seasonal site, not just one weekend, so I am willing to make any modifications necessary. Help please!

[Rach]

we took the pack and play and toys for outside. Actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought... We go camping and canoeing every summer. I found that we really wore the kids out, and it was exciting for them to be in a new place!

[emilyrosejewel]

Not there yet, but just thought I would say that it seems like it would be a great experience for Lyss. There are lots of good educational moments you can have. My suggestion would be just to take it in stride and I wouldn't worry about it so much. Just have a great time with your little one!

[Robynn]

ummmm....I forgot that not everyone here knows my life story oops!

I also have a 13yo son, 10yo son, 7 yo girl, and Lyss. Not to mention our puppy and my CFS. Oh, did I mention i have control issues??

Oh-the anxiety!!!!!!!!!

[justmeNmine]

I'll be curious to see the responses here because I plan on taking my 3 yo and infant camping this summer too- it sounds as though your older kids will be able to help keep tabs on the little one- my plan is to try to have my mom or friends to go with so that i am not outnumbered :)

[Robynn]

Well, for one night, it gave me an idea of what to expect, and some of the safety measures we will need to take, like the outlet covers, etc.

Ended up, we came home early. I needed to rest, and she wouldn't sleep, and there is nowhere I can put her down. At home, I put her in the crib, and she will happily play until tired, then nods off. Playpen has to stay outdoors, and I don't like that when I am sleeping, so we came home. DH is till out there with the other kids, and I'm kinda bummed.

[Rach]

Could you take along a tent and some of your tribe sleep out there? We had a moderate sized tent and it was plenty of room for the pack and play and a queen size aero bed. We have the tent that says '3 rooms', and the dimensions were perfect. The night sounds always lulled my kiddos to sleep. If you do that, make sure you take blanket sleepers as it does still get cold at night and they kick off covers.

[paulab]

We are going to attempt to tent camp this summer with an infant. Yes, we are crazy! Since we have not gone camping with a little one under 3 I started to do research last week.

Here are a few tips:
1. Bring clothing that layers well, so you can adjust for warmth, and a few extra outfits, "just in case."
2. If your child is potty-training, remember to pack the portable potty and lots of tissue/wipes. Otherwise, just bring all the usual diapering supplies.
3. If you will be eating at picnic areas or "no-frills" restaurants, bring along a portable high chair that clips onto a table edge, or a booster seat.
4. Bring sunscreen, a hat for your child to wear in the sun and some children's insect repellant.
5. Bring a toddler backpack or a stroller with sturdy wheels that can handle uneven trails, if you will be walking or hiking during the day.
6. If you want to bathe your child while you're camping, a large plastic storage container makes a great toddler tub. You can pack your food or picnic supplies in it, too.
7. Bring some sturdy toys that you will be able to wash when the trip is over.

Tips:
Bring lots of extra plastic bags. These can store dirty diapers, wet clothes and garbage.
Don't forget to bring lots of sing-along tapes for the trip to and from the camping area.
Bring BUBBLES for the trip. This can keep them happy for hours and they are generally not harmful to the environment.
Get a kid's flashlight, and show your toddler how to use it. It will probably be his favorite camping toy of all.

Warnings:
A camping trip isn't a good time to discover that your child is allergic to bites or stings. Consider investing in an allergy or bee-sting kit (ask your pharmacist), to include in your first aid kit.
Some children are sensitive to insect repellant ' have a trial run before you go on your trip, and if your child seems sensitive, find a natural alternative.

Here are a few sites that had many more tips.
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/camping2.html camping tips
http://www.camp-a-roo.com/kids.shtml camp-a-roo

[Phyll]

My sons went on their first camping trip when they were 7 months old and have been every year since then. We have a family reunion that we go to every year. We would sleep in tents. I made sure that I took plenty of toys for them -- cars, digging toys, plastic animals, etc. They slept in a playpen/portable crib. I would take a portable CD player and some CD's and had those playing in the tent when it was nap or bedtime. We do that at home too so it was a familiar thing for them plus kept them from hearing everything that everyone else was doing. We've taken the johnny jumpup and hooked it into a tree and put them in it. They had a blast. Part of it is not worrying about how dirty they get.

We would also take what I called a cage. It was a gate type thing that made a complete circle. The bigger the circle, the shorter the fence was height wise. It had no floor so my kids could feel like they were still experiencing everything but they were safe.

I always took lots of clothing, for all kinds of weather because we just never knew how hot it would be or how cold.

We made rules like no one took off with the baby or young child unless they let mom know. We kept it to mom knowing because if you have it be mom or dad then there can still be confusion. We made sure that if the little one was following someone, the someone would holler out to mom that the little one was with them and then wait for mom to respond before going any farther. Another rule was that even the older kids had to have a buddy for going places - even to the bathroom - or had to tell someone where they were going and wait for the response.

The place we go to now has a big grassy area in the middle of a circle of camp spots. We've brought a hose and toy sprinkler thing for the girls to play in instead of having to go to the pool all the time. The girls went camping the first time when they were 5 months old. They have missed a couple of years because of being sick and hubby going to school.

It has just always worked for us because there has never been an option of it not working. :)

[jamma]

Okay, this may sound terrible... but a friend of mine tied a rope around their daughter's middle, and then tied her to a tree. She was free to roam, and yet safe at the same time!

[Robynn]

Naw, Jam, that doesn't sound terrible, I used to leash the kids all the time! I had people come up to me and tell me what a horrible parent I was and I told them they were the horrible ones for thinking I should let my kid run free and get hit by a car! :shock:

The only thing is I would be afraid of Lyss strangling herslef with the rope, she thinks everything is a feather boa.

That gate thingy, I have been looking for someting like that. I remember they used to make something like that outta plastic, and I thought they called it a playard till thay changed the name of playpens. :roll:

I like the tent idea, and I think I will try that for nap time. But I ain't sleeping on the hard, cold, lumpy ground when my man is sleeping on a soft, warm bed in the camper. Sadly I cannot send him out there to sleep either-no where to plug in his snout. :P

[Timmys mom]

I had people come up to me and tell me what a horrible parent I was and I told them they were the horrible ones for thinking I should let my kid run free and get hit by a car! :shock:

[rotfl] I laughed so hard when I read this! LOL what a good comeback!

Anyway, I've never taken Timmy camping. But at least you have older kids too, they should be able to help alot. Maybe you could take turns holding the leash! :wink: