Need advice: Getting the wife and kids to go camping

[raYGunn]

This is all really good advice. I appreciate you taking the time. The umm... monthly issue was something I would have forgotten to plan around. It's the little details that make all the difference.

[cruiserlarry]

As I posted on the blue forum:

My advice: Leave 'em home !!!

I've been married almost 25 years, and I love my wife and my sons dearly. And while my wife and I used to camp and hitchhike all over when we were younger, she is no longer interested in any thing less than 5 star accommodations. Frankly, anyone who has spent 25 years with me has earned that right.

My sons, while now away at college, and I, used to spent a lot of time together doing other activities we enjoyed, usually involving music or musical performance, hiking, or sports.

So, while I enjoy spending time with my family, my love of off-roading / camping is not mutual: and I feel no reason to force them into joining me in an activity in which they have no interest.

And they harbor no resentment when I go off on a trail run or weekend - they know it's something I enjoy. Plus, now that we are empty nesters, homecoming is all the more special !!!

[raYGunn]

That is true. I'm not going to force the issue but I do want to find out it they like going. There are certainly going to be more than one style trip I will go on. I want my girls to see the redwoods, the grand canyon, and lots of other places and if they only get to see it on a drive by to the next fancy hotel that's OK I guess.

[ki6kui]

Especially at the age your kids are, they want to be with daddy. They will also learn about being outdoors and will probably love it. Maybe when they are much older you can leave them home, but at this age they should go with you. Maybe your wife won't like tent-camping, but there are other ways to get out there.

Does your wife enjoy pictures of the city better than pictures of nature? It may be difficult to persuade her that the great outdoors is a better place to be. (Green Acres comes to mind.)

[unwiredadventures]

I want my girls to see the redwoods, the grand canyon, and lots of other places and if they only get to see it on a drive by to the next fancy hotel that's OK I guess.

When I take my kids on the 4x4 trips it's one of the few time I get to have lots of time with them. And they're growing up so quickly!

[traveltoad]

I want my girls to see the redwoods, the grand canyon, and lots of other places and if they only get to see it on a drive by to the next fancy hotel that's OK I guess.

When I take my kids on the 4x4 trips it's one of the few time I get to have lots of time with them. And they're growing up so quickly!

Stop feeding them.

[rfjtoy]

Thanks for the ideas. Are you all no longer doing the Ricky & Ronnie's Cruise-In Diner meets?

My wife is a non-camper, I get a spot at dohene and san clemente bch and let her come down for the day, campfire, BBQ ect. and then she can go home if she wishes. This lets her see how much fun it is and then she is less likly to deny my trips with the kids (now grown). Also find campgrounds that have showers and flush toilets, this makes the transition easier.

[flaminjo]

yup! even i agree that they are old enough! just take them once and let them do things there, dont be too opushy as our parents used to be...and very soon they will demanding another camping trip!

[BruisedFJ]

My wife won't go camping unless we can get a female friend of ours to go as well. I do have such a friend who happens to like camping. Her Dad used to take her when she was a kid - this seems to be the lynch-pin if ever a woman and camping coincide.

If your wife isn't friendly with other women who camp, try to introduce her to some of the women on the forum in non-camping situations. Then when a trip comes up, she'll know someone will be there that she's comfortable with. Women have to have someone who will listen when they can complain about us!

Don't look to me, however. My wife will NOT go off roading, so she won't attend any OAUSA events where I'll be off driving around without her. Oh well.

[cruiserlarry]

My wife won't go camping unless we can get a female friend of ours to go as well. I do have such a friend who happens to like camping. Her Dad used to take her when she was a kid - this seems to be the lynch-pin if ever a woman and camping coincide.

If your wife isn't friendly with other women who camp, try to introduce her to some of the women on the forum in non-camping situations. Then when a trip comes up, she'll know someone will be there that she's comfortable with. Women have to have someone who will listen when they can complain about us!

Don't look to me, however. My wife will NOT go off roading, so she won't attend any OAUSA events where I'll be off driving around without her. Oh well.

I have the same situation.

My wife thinks I'm slightly retarded for spending as much time on the forum as I do now, so I could never get her to "converse" with others in this medium...

And as much as I love my wife, I'd rather go alone than with someone who doesn't want to be there...