Summer is almost officially over. Labor day is just around the corner. Are you doing anything fun? As a single mother money is always tight but I still like to take little trips with Hailey. Everyone needs to get away and one final weekend trip to end the summer is always welcome.
When I first got divorced I was scared to go camping alone. I’m not sure what I was afraid of but I had to bite the bullet and do it, it was really the only thing I could afford to do.
Taking kids camping is always fun as well as a learning experience. We never went far, local campgrounds where I knew there would be lots of other people, including kids.
Don’t strive to have the perfect campout, just try to have as much fun as possible. Many times I couldn’t build a fire so I was grateful for peanut butter and jelly, we ate it around the clock on some trips. I do suggest you learn to build a fire though, it adds to the fun and the kids can make smores.
When I was married going camping was a major excursion, we had more equipment than most outdoor stores. Once I was divorced we had to work with the bare minimum. The first few trips we borrowed a tent and sleeping bags. Don’t worry about what you don’t have, as long as you can feed the kids they will be happy.
Take lots of nature walks. A fun idea is to let the kids collect leaves, pinecones, etc and use them to decorate the inside of an old shoe box with their memories.
Step outside of your comfort zone and take the kids camping. Sing songs, act silly, tell stories, most of all, be present. When you are camping you don’t have to worry if the laundry is done or the floor is vacuumed, you can just relax and hand out sandwiches.
Your kids will think it’s the best time ever.