One Parent Taking 5 Kids Camping?

I think the 10 and 8 year old could help with the littler ones. If I were you I would relish the quiet time and tell them to have a blast.

My mum used to take all of us on her own.

My bestie's dad used to take 10-12 of us camping once a month to give his wife and a friend or two a spa weekend together. The youngest was my brother (1) and her sister (3). It was an awesome thing.

In many ways, the more kids, the less work.

Yep, cause I trust my husband with my kids.

My husband could do this with no problem (we have 4 kids), even if the kids brought friends. Only you are in a position to know if yours could handle it.

I think it would be awesome! I take my two camping by myself all the time, and I have since they were small. Five kids is a lot, but if you are the dad of five kids chances are you know how to handle five kids, and of course the older kids would be a lot of help as well. I'm all for dads spending time with their kids without mom around.

Not at all. If he is woods wise, the kids will have a wonderful time.

If he is really smart (maybe even an Eagle Scout) he will be able to show the kids so many interesting things. They will have so much fun with dad. They will remember it for a long time.

The would probably even have MORE fun if Mom went along. Bring a surprise (like ingredients for S'mores) and you'll be a hit.

Five kids is no big deal. I had 8 kids and they weren't a problem either. Of course I had a little bit of an advantage. I was a scoutmaster and all six of my sons earned the Eagle Scout rank so they weren't novices in the woods.

I hope they have a wonderful time. Good luck to you and yours.

Heck no, especially if that meant I got a weekend alone!

Not if I thought the father was competent and the kids would mind him. my DD has been camping since before she could walk.

I wouldn't be opposed at all, I'd welcome the break ;)

I've taken my 3 kids (8, 6 at the time, and 2) camping by myself... all but the 3 year old should be relatively to strongly self sufficient.

Sounds like someone's getting a mini stay-cay coming up! Lucky!

If he feels up to it, and the kids are the sort to mind direction, I don't see why not.

Good luck to you and yours, F. B.

overnight? I would see it being a problem and a pain for him with the 3 and 5 year old especially if they range in sex's. The older ones can keep an eye on the littler ones, but I would think he was the man of the year if he can handle them all overnight in a tent. WOW! super dad

My husband and I do it all the time depending on our work schedules. Its nothing for one of us to take all 5 camping and fishing for a weekend.

let them go and have those memories and one on one time with him!

I wouldn't if they're his kids. (Meaning he's used to having 5 kids regularly)

As long as he's fine with the kids. Free weekend for you :)

I think it depends on the dad and the kids in particularly. My husband, no. He can hardly handle the two that we have and he'd be so uptight that they wouldn't have any fun! A dad that is used to taking care of 5 kids, it probably would be fine. Also depends on how well behaved the kids are. The older two can definetly help put the tent up and watch the smaller ones. Even the 6 and 5 yr old should be pretty capable of helping with small stuff. The biggest thing that I would worry about is fire safety! Once that fire is lit, dad cannot be distracted for a second with the little ones there. I would make sure to keep the meals simple. Like another poster said, it needs to be in a public type campground, not out in the deep dark woods just in case something did happen. My kids have been camping since they were 3months old. I remember when they were 3 and 5 and it wasn't that bad, so adding in 3 older kids should be just fine!

why? is he incompetent or something?
any man who can sire 5 kids should be able to do stuff with them.
khairete
S.

As long as it's in a campground or a populated area, that should be fine. Hard to believe the 3 year old likes camping, but if you say so, I believe you! However, they should not be out in the "wilderness" far from any resources if the oldest child is only 10. If anything happens (someone falls and breaks a leg), you need more than 1 adult to handle that. But a campground with other campers and a staff would be great. I'd be thrilled!

If you can fit 5 carseats in the vehicle, sure! And maybe boosters for the older 3 kids. The 10-year-old might 5-step if he is at least 4'9" and passes that test, maybe, maybe not. My husband would never take even 1 kid camping. I am impressed! My husband could not take any that were not his, or even his. So, I guess he isn't going camping, lol.

I'd be a little concerned about the 3 yo. A 3 yo can be a handful and needs constant supervision.

Yes and for one simple reason... FIVE children is a lot to manage under "typical" circumstances let alone in the middle of a camp ground. I'm just imagining him (or anyone) attempting to corral five children to do anything...

Could the 3 yr old stay home? That would actually make it a little more reasonable. At least the others could somewhat care for themselves if needed.