Hello hello! My son's six, I'm taking him to a mostly inclusive water park camping trip this summer. it's just him and me (single parent and only child). And it's only for one night bc of money. I'm doing cabin not tent bc, Ummmm no, by the time I figure that damn thing out I'll be ready to go, lol. Anyway, my family vacations was always with two parents and me and my brother. I'm just hoping since he's still little he'll find it fun just us, without friends or anything. I've thought about bringing his two little friends, they're close like cousins, but good Gawd, three is a handful for me and he tends to act out at times when they're with us.
.he said he's looking forward to it yknow but I'm not a kid,playmate etc. I wonder if this kinda thing will be fun with just mom. Does that make sense? This isn't a pity party, I've come to grips with what our family is, just thinking aloud how this will be from his little perspective. When he goes to his dad's...they're friends, he's even said that, so I'm hoping he still has fun just us two.
What do you think? Any better or different ideas? Last year we did the same type thing but different place. Idk, just looking for ideas for a budget of $200 for mommy/6 yr old son trip!
Sorry for length I tend to do that! Lol
Awww mama R that made me tear up a little. How sweet. Very encouraging responses, exactly what I needed, thank you. It's not easy raising a boy to young man when you're not one, lol, so your support/encouragement is appreciated!!!
You will have an AWESOME time!!
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of going with one parent and no siblings (large family) overnight somewhere. And a water park??? he will LOVE it.
Have fun!!!
I think it sounds like a great idea! We always tried to have one on one time with each of our kids when they were younger and now my 13 yo son will tell me every few weeks "I need some Mom time" and we'll go do something, sometimes as simple as running errands together. None of his friends do this with their moms, I attribute it to the time we spent one on one when he was younger. We're actually going to Canada this summer to watch the Women's World Cup together, just the two of us. Your son will have a blast with just you, relax and enjoy yourself.
I agree with the others - go and treasure this time together. My son is now an amazing 15 year old. He wants to spend time with his friends, but also wants family time too, which I think is wonderful. It goes so fast... seems like just yesterday he was only six years old!!
Your idea about a cabin sounds great. I'd bring along some games to play together like Uno or a deck of cards for the evening and of course, all things required for s'mores. You are making wonderful memories for your son!
(By the way, I LOVED the comment about the tent! Made me laugh because I so totally agree with you!)
Nope, no friends. Just mom and son will be perfect. You can give him tons of undivided attention! He will meet some kids there he can play with once in a while, but this is your time to bond and make happy memories. Due to health issues, my husband is not able to come with on my son's and my getaways, not to mention I need a break as a caregiver. These times alone with my boy, now 12, are precious and I would like to hold off on the friend thing as long as I can.
Make sure you get in there and do some silly kid stuff with him Don't just sit in your lounger with a book and say "go have fun". You will have fun too!
I think he'll love it!!! I have three boys and they all really enjoy spending time with me one-on-one (and I really enjoy spending time with them one-on-one). Enjoy!!
Sounds terrific to me. We did a lot of camping because of the money thing too. Only problem I see is that cabins are pretty expensive. They have pop up tents that are a total no-brainer! MUCH cheaper in the long haul and he can use it in the backyard or with a friend in his room or on movie night at home. Various uses and lots of bang for your buck. MN is a beautiful state, I'm sure you'll find a terrific place.
You are good on the age thing. Milk it at this age because soon, you will need to bring a friend etc. because he's growing up. One of my fav memories of camping was when we found a stream (we took a sling shot) and picked up little rocks and launched them into the woods. FUN STUFF AT 6!!!! Teach him to cook on the coals of the campfire too. Foil packs with potatoes and hamburger patties. They had lots of fun making their own. It will be great Mama!!!
Just a thought, could you divide up the waterpark and camping into two trips?? They both sound like too much for such a short trip. That way you could spread out the fun and focus on one thing at a time.
Have fun!!!!!
It will be fun. I took my kids on lots of camping trips, just me and them and they have always had a good time. I didn't start taking friends on overnight trips until they were older, like 9 or 10. Another overnight trip my kids enjoyed would be just to go to a hotel with a waterpark in a neighbouring town.
Don't worry about not being his playmate. Children understand that. What you do is park yourself close to where he is playing. He'll come to you and say "Mom, did you see me do "x"?" Praise him, act excited, and let him go to the next thing. Have a magazine or book that's easy to put down.
I took my two boys to Disney, just me, without my husband. My kids were older than yours, but we hung together the whole time. We rode rides together (other than rollercoasters - I just WATCH!) We went to the water park and I watched them play in the water and go down slides.
I thought it would be such a bummer for my husband not to be with me, but honestly, I had a wonderful time with my kids. I'm so glad we did it. I know it's different with an only child, but I guess the point is to not feel like you have to be your child's playmate.
Although I am married, my son and I have often done things with only the two of us, one year, we went to Portland and LOVED it... however, many times, it's just us walking around the city, grabbing a bite to eat and talking.. It's all those walks (and there have been many) that have allowed us to not only listen to each other and share but also to HEAR what the other is saying.. We've walked all around our city and have taken nearly most bus lines.. sounds simple and it is, but it's been in the simplest moments that we have had the most profound experiences. I used to worry that my son didn't have many kids his age to play with (he's also a single child) but so far, at 13, he seems to be doing ok.... In actuality , I think it's me that is going to miss the walks and talks.... it's times like that that you get a chance to really bond... so don't worry about fancy trips and such.. even experiencing a park together is fun or sharing an ice cream cone.. too often, we think a kid needs so much more than they do... IF you are having fun, your son will see it and I think follow your lead... keep positive..
At six you don't need to bring friends along. That's for when he's a teen.
Sounds great and he will LOVE having your undivided attention. When you are home, I'm sure you give him attention, but you are also trying to cook dinner, clean the house, do the laundry, etc. On this trip, he'll will love having you without all those distractions!
I'm a single mom of 3, so it's always just me and kids, but sometimes kids beg for a mommy and me day where they can have me to themselves -like they don't see me enough as a Stay-at-home-mom!!
It is VERY fun one on one with kids. I wish I could do it more often! For my last solo event I went to NYC with my 9 year old. It was so luxurious to just have one kid with me and pay total attention to her and do stuff she picked without having to cater to everyone.
Your son will have a blast!! Have fun! Plus at a water park, he'll come across other kids to play with. Perfect combo of kids and his mom!
I think he will have a great time with you. Depending on his personality, he could hang with you or meet a new kids in the hotel pool or water park.
I don't think I would take the other 2 kids. You are right, that is so much more work when it comes to dinner/lunch and just normal down time.
You might consider seeing if the parent of the boys would want to meet you at the water park if it fits into their plans.
I've been going on vacation with my daughter for years (hubby's schedule is tough and I finally said - we are going without you). We have a great time just the two of us. And we always find ourselves at a water park! I assume that you'll participate as well. If so, you'll have tons of fun and so will he. I don't go down the slides as much now as she is 8 but we make a game of it - I'm going to guess the slide you come down on or I'm going to count how long it takes.
As long as your little guy is with you, he'll have fun. Bring some cards, teach him some games. You'll have a great time.
My kids all love their one-on-one time they get with my husband and me. Whether they get one or both of us, they love the time without other siblings to compete with. It's so nice to get that time. We've been doing it since they were little, even if it's just walk around the neighborhood. Enjoy it!!
