This is a timely thread. We were camping not 10 minutes from home last weekend to make it easier to attend a street fair in a neighboring town. We were only a few minutes from breaking camp with me outside disconnecting the water and about to disconnect power when I heard a blood curdling scream from my DW. As I rounded the front of the RV to go inside I was nearly run over by my 11 year old son. My wife was still cursing as she yelled that my 8 year old son had just had his front teeth knocked in! She was leaning him over the sink and he was spitting blood.
Well, I de-camped in record time and we headed home, thank goodness we were as close as we were. Turns out he just chipped a bit off of one front tooth and that will be fixed by our dentist tomorrow. The blood was from where the tooth went through his lip. What were they doing? Turns out the little one yelled "dibs" on the passenger seat to sit by Dad on the ride home. As he bolted to the front my older son . . . shall we say "helped him" with a shove. Went head first into the wooden drawers in the lower dash area. Though I haven't had time to look, my DW tells me there is a nice gouge in the wood. Our first time out in our new RV and we already have it personalized.
I'm still trying to figure out a way to finesse around my 11 year old's lifetime grounding so that we can go on our planned Memorial Day trip . . . and every trip after that.
countryside2007 wrote: I don't think they are in more danger of being hurt, but I do think ground rules are good. They need to follow the rules of the campgrounds. be considerate of other campers. If your going to be around water please take extra care.
Our one rule was if I can't see you and you can't see me you have gone to far, but then we never camped in campgrounds only dispersed camping which gave the kids a lot more freedom
Can I second the part about being careful around water.....a 2.5 year old just drowned not too far from my place this last weekend while camping (tent camping, as if that makes a difference). The parents were cooking breakfeast, the kid went into the tent, the mom goes to check on him a few minutes later and he is no where to be found. The rest of the campground pitched in to help find him, 50 yards down stream trapped against a log under water......don't let em out of arms reach if you are near water.
Depends!
Ds-10 has over 20 bumps and scrapes including a prize bruise on his arm from a golf club swung a little too close.
Ds-13 is suffering from an extreme case of poison-ivy, covering his arms, legs, face, and… um… other areas!
All this within calling distance from my front door.
They would be much safer glued to the t.v. like so many kids their age. As a kind hearted man told my son on his way to the ER for stitches one day: “scars build character!
Don’t get me wrong. Protect them, love ‘em, teach ‘em.
If they get scraped up, it’s because they a living life, not watching it go by…
M
“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.”
Let them run and have FUN. Our kids use the 2 way radios to keep in contact with us and they have to check back in with us at various apointed times during our stays. We often get to know the adults our children meet when staying at a campground.
Over all let them have FUN -
Well, our family has a saying, "It's not a vacation until someone goes to the hospital." And its almost never the kids, either It's usually me or DH. The worst thing we ever had with one of the kids was when Christian walked off the edge of a cliff and fell 15ft into a muddy ditch. Walked away with ears full of dirt. Last time he walked off the porch of one of those outdoor structures, fell about 5 ft and gave himself a concussion. Still not as bad has DH's skull fracture, nor the time DH fell into the firepit and gashed his leg open 15 stitches-worth.
I figure anything that can happen at home, can happen out there in the woods. If it's beyond my first aid kit and Advil or Benedryl, then we need a real doctor.
"Those who dwell...among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."--Rachel Carson, environmentalist, 1956
Well, alot depends on the ages as to how much freedom to allow. And will they get more bumps and bruises than at home???? Well that depends on what they do at home? Adventure is the name of the game. My daughter once ripped her fake fingernail off on the camper door ( she is 34) She also dislocated a hip jumping off a cliff into the river...(she is an overgrown kid) The little ones have had some serious skeeter bites, which is always a fight to protect them from.
We have a pretty involved first aid kit, but my theory has always been, if a kiss, an ice cube, or a band aid doesn't fix it...its time for the ER.
Make memories...hopefully fun ones.
Julie
Garry and Julie
2008 Jay Series 1207
Dodge Ram 1500
Looking to Make Memories
I think that depends on how much the kids are outside at home. We were camping three weeks ago. My nephew ended up in the ER to get the dirt and gravel cleaned out of his elbow and knee after falling off his bike. But that's the same kid that just recovered from a concussion from falling out of an apple tree, pink eye in both eyes (from school, I think), and had poison ivy. My sister-in-law said the doctor said, "Hello summer!)
Have a safe and fun summer, everyone.
My daughter (6) can get hurt sitting on the couch. My son can get bruises while sleeping.... We've never experienced any more injuries camping than at home.
I also have a motto, that you're not having fun unless you get hurt. When my kids get hurt at school, they tell me they've had a good day.
But, I think the key with them is to not let them get overtired. Just like you or I, they push it too far when having fun. Their bodies don't respond as fast and they get hurt. Thus, even though other kids keep going, I make mine stay at the campsite after dinner and take periodic breaks throughout the day.
As far as rules, I set limits, mostly around being able to see the campsite at all times. I'll let them ride bikes off together, but only short periods of time and I'm watching for them. I also have them both wear a whistle. If they get scared or one of them gets hurt, they're told to blow it like crazy. So far it's been silent.
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It's usually me or DH. The worst thing we ever had with one of the kids was when Christian walked off the edge of a cliff and fell 15ft into a muddy ditch. Walked away with ears full of dirt. Last time he walked off the porch of one of those outdoor structures, fell about 5 ft and gave himself a concussion. Still not as bad has DH's skull fracture, nor the time DH fell into the firepit and gashed his leg open 15 stitches-worth.
