I do have a certain amount of sympathy with the view that kids go where they're told, but my son started complaining about it long before last years holiday, and his strops really wore me down. He was unco-operative, surly and argued with me constantly. In a tent no argument was private so I found it really difficult thinking everyone must think I'm a horrible mum. I only have one go at a 'big' holiday like most people, and if shipping my son off to Grans leaving me and my other son to enjoy our holiday, then so be it.
I am still waiting for the day when I can get away without our two 'kids' my lad is 19 at uni and my daughter is 17 and hopefully at uni in sept this year. When I said that we could be looking at going out of school hols I was told that that would be no good as they wouldn't be able to come! when I asked if they really wanted to come I got told yes - we do camp every year but usually go abroad was thinking of Tuscany this year but was told that we were told by my son we were not going to florence without him. Asked if he would rather not go to ibiza etc with his mate he said no all they want to do is drink and I want to see the country and culture! Think I may have made a rod for my own back by choosing holidays where there is always loads to do!!
Wait untill they say they dont want to go, they are still a bit young to be let loose on their own, or if you choose a all singing/dancing site with entertainment, beach etc they will still want to go with you.
My son is 25 and married and pesters me all the time with when is our next caravan trip,
Kids loose interest because they dont want to do what you want to do so if you want them to go with you make it interesting for them.
Our kids are 17,11& 6 so big gaps in age, we did not get a van till my oldest was 15 so for the 1st 12 months it was still a novelty! After that she did not want to come so stayed at home with grandparents who live on same street supervising! We are now seasonal so the younger 2 still love it as they have made some great friends with kids who are also on the site seasonal. Hopefully we will still have a good few years yet before we get to the I don't want to come stage!
We are Lucky that at present we can stretch to having the best of both worlds of having the van an also a holiday abroad, however I would be gutted to have to get rid of the van as we called it our country retreat an truly love the time we spend there.
We did 50 nights last year an hope to do the same this year
Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 10/1/2014
...............I would have loved a pup tent but I don't think they had been invented then............
My sister and I had our first pup tent in 1964 - still have it now (Black's Good Companion with extended fly sheet)
My daughter decided she no longer wanted to caravan with us at around 15. It lasted about 2 years and now - at the age of 40 - she comes with us whenever her work allows.
Why dont you try caravaning in the one you have for a while to see how you get on, leave the children at the grandparents and see how it goes as you will regret downsizing as we have a small 'van as it is only 2 of us at the moment (kids soon hopefully :-) still only 26) I love the caravan holidays and I love my little caravan but long for a bigger one where I can leave a rear dinette as a bed (fixed bed vans are way out of my price range) rather than downsizing why not try buying a more luxury caravan like a fixed bed with living area which can be used as beds for the children if they do want to go with you or even grandchildren in a few years
Thanks for all your posts.
I think we will hold onto our van for as long as our car is able to pull it. When the expense of a car kicks in I think that will be a bigger factor of wether to get rid of the van or downsize the van. I just get so frustrated how expensive the road tax is for people that holiday in this country, often many times a year.