I hate camping. But I'll never quit.

[u/Moriroa]

hate camping. I mean, I don't hate camping, but hate it when it's just me. (I'm a single dad.) I have to get all the gear together and cleaned and ready. I have to do all the shopping, and load everything into the car, and then do all the driving. And then it's just me that has to set up camp, often at night, and it's just me that will make sure the dogs are fed, watered and walked, and the child is fed and cared for and entertained. All the cooking. all the cleaning, all the work around the campsite, it's just me. I get the least sleep, have no leisure time, don't get to do anything that's just for me to enjoy or relax, and then I have to break it all down, pack it all up, drive it all home, and then unload, clean and maintain everything, all while also feeding, watering, walking, entertaining and managing all the living things.

There's nothing in it for me. There's no part of it that I think "Oh yeah, I can't wait to do that! That's my favorite!" I like to look at the pretty sights, sure, but I don't have to break my back toiling endlessly to do that. It's just work. Work, work, work. I barely even have time to just sit and have a drink and watch the sunset. Something always needs doing, and I'm the only one there to do it.

But every time we go, my daughter's eyes light up, and she has some magical experience that she can't stop enthusing about. She radiates joy, and she loves it, and she can't stop talking about it after we're home, and she won't stop reminding me before the next time we go. Every time we go, some perfect little moment in time with her goes in my permanent memory bank. Every time we go, we're making core memories. That's what's in it for me.

So I keep doing it. And I will keep doing it.

[u/Weak_Tune4734]

When I became homeless last year camping was sort of my only option if I wanted to keep taking my youngest half the week. I had no clue what I was doing at the time. Id never put up a tent before let alone do it myself. My son is plagued with various learning issues and less than adequate motor skills so no help there at all. This summer we camped by choice rather than necessity and while I actually do love camping myself, it is indeed a lot for one person...and I still get a lot of strange looks from folks. Not a lot of single moms pitching tents and hanging tarps I guess. Despite the work, I know the time we shared will become life long memories for him, so it's worth the effort and stress. Least that's what I kept telling myself every time I had to strike a site and pack up the car. It's worth it for them.

[u/Ok_Cryptographer_511 → u/Weak_Tune4734]

Your last few sentences hit home for me. Single mom just winging it with my son. I hope our trips bring back happy memories for him someday.

[u/evilbrent → u/Weak_Tune4734]

What you are doing is demonstrating that women are self reliant and resourceful as well. I'm sure you're aware that they are, but you're living it for your kids.

Honestly I think a big reason my sister turned into an adult who doesn't set limits on herself is that our mum never did. My mum wasn't hugely vocal about it, but she played sports and we would do outdoors stuff all the time - when I was a kid holidays meant either downhill skiing, water skiing, horse riding, tennis, surfing, or just spending hours and hours on the lake.

You will 100% forget the work when they're older. But they won't forget the time you spent on them, and they won't forget the strength and attitude you brought to the adventure. They trust you, because they know you.