Camping with a toddler – What I learned.

• Preparation and research can be a lifesaver. I googled “camping with a toddler” and found a fantastic blog with an incredibly thorough list of what to bring. However, I found out we were going on Friday and the plan was to leave Saturday. I did the research and then scrambled to get what I thought were the essentials from the list.
• Try to keep your routines. Jack has a glass of milk every morning when he wakes up. He naps around noon. Has a snack when he wakes up, goes to bed with Ah-Ah, his stuffed monkey, and every night before bed he gets the three Bs (bath, book, bed.) If we lose these routines at home, chaos ensues. So, when everything was all whacky to begin with (sleeping in a tent, no showers for days, etc.) it was important to keep whatever routines were still possible.
• Get comfortable with filth. Jack’s feet were black, his hair was stiff with dirt, his clothes smelled like campfire and his diapers were filled with sand. Oh well. We were camping.
• Get a big tent. Our tent is for four people. Ryan, Lola and I slept on the ground. Jack, however, was living the good life because the pack’n’play fit inside the tent. Sure this may sound like cheating but have you ever shared sleeping space with a toddler? The only one who sleeps is the little person elbowing you in the face and kicking you in the bladder.
• I have my limits. While I enjoyed camping, four nights sleeping on the ground is my cutoff. If Ryan had suggested we stay one more night, I would have hopped on my bicycle and peddled all the way to the nearest hotel (FYI not so near.)
• The thing that surprised me most about camping with a toddler was that it was not that big of a deal. Before leaving I thought Ryan and I were brave, daring, maybe even crazy to bring a nearly two year old on a camping trip. Not at all the case. Although praise and accolades will still be accepted. Reluctantly, of course.

With love from Detroit,

Callie