Sunday Sleep Dilemma

Q: How do you camp with kids, so they get the sleep they need?

A: I have friends that love to camp, my husband loves to camp... so when I was finally coerced to go camping with family in tow, I was a bit nervous and skeptical about how sleeping would go.

My only camping experience with kids had been when my oldest daughter was 1 1/2 years old- we camped in a tent, under a tree (where a branch tapped on the tent all night), near a train, and next to some noisy neighbors. We slept horribly, and I vowed to never camp again with kids.

Well, as things go, I decided to try it again. This time I was much better prepared and thought out the whole sleeping arrangement much more carefully (amazing what a few years of parenting under your belt will do for you). I brought an infant travel bed for my baby (who was only two months old at the time), and my other two children were old enough to sleep in sleeping bags. I also brought a sound spa (with extra batteries). It went pretty well. They took a bit longer to calm down at bedtime due to the excitement of vacation... but slept well.

Since, I have camped many times... naps, bedtime have all gone fine. I highly recommend giving it a try if you too are being coerced by an avid camper in your life.

Camping tips:
-Use a sound spa (bring lots of extra batteries).
-Bring an appropriate bed for your child: pack n play, Phil & Teds Traveller, Kidco Tent, infant travel bed, sleeping bag (choose an appropriate warmth for your location...).
-You can get tents with room dividers- they can be helpful. Tent trailers and trailers/motor homes are also a nice indulgence.
-Dress your kids for the temperature- feel free to double up on pajamas, try a baby sleep bag.
-Keep to your sleep schedule as much as possible- bank on tired kids- got to love a day outside.
-Have your kids practice how you want them to go to sleep.