That's actually a really good idea lol. The old tent one, that is. I think tying kids to a tree might be a little frowned upon. Getting the rain fly up isn't a huge deal since it's already up at that point. Just getting the tent laid out and the poles situated... Someone has to go potty, someone else is hungry then someone else realizes, "You know what makes a fun noise? This tent under my feet!"
My mom would be helping "in theory"... in practice, she'd probably be fussing at me as I'm putting up the tent as the kids are running all over the tent (there's a reason I'm an only child). She camps out of her truck.The good tents take a little more time but are really worth it. Like I've shared before...I stay away from pop up anything no matter what the manufacturer says about their product.
My suggestion would be to team up with another mother and kinda juggle the supervision among you. Watching children can be an interesting if not challenging experience any time.
I would agree with killeroy154 that a dome like tent might be the best answer. But like I said good tents take time to be set properly to accomplish the intended goal.
And another tip - PLAN, PLAN, PLAN.
More good ideas! I think about 3/4 of our last trips we ended up getting to the camp ground around sundown and dinner time which was a big part of the problem.I've learned from some camping Moms as base camp is being put up other parents take the children down to the beach, a short hike, some near by place of interest in the park, check out the washrooms, pick up the newsletters etc. etc.
I don't have children though there are some adults I would like to send down to the beach or encourage a short hike.
I'm one of those kind of campers - "I'm going now!" BUT...I'm thoroughly packed, ready and though I can move in a flash I am planned and execute well.
Oh...and another thing. There are helpful hints on the net for Moms who camp with children.
[Since I'm not a Mom and don't always appreciate their circumstance.]
I used to think the same way, then I saw a friends instant-tent in action and it changed my mind. I think they have been steadily improving, the one I saw was very sturdy and the poles were flexible sort of bent to the curve of the canvas. It ended up being very tight and sturdy, I was in disbelief because it ended up being better than my manual tent and took a fraction of the time to setup (about 1 minute to take out and unfold). That being said, I haven't seen any pop up tents as big as some of the ones you have, or any that have smoke holes for winter campingThe good tents take a little more time but are really worth it. Like I've shared before...I stay away from pop up anything no matter what the manufacturer says about their product.
My beach tent got me thinking because it is so easy to set up and sturdy against the beach winds even with one side that's open; it'd take off like a kite if it wasn't secure. Heck my kids practically all sleep on top of me, it wouldn't even need to be a huge tent.I used to think the same way, then I saw a friends instant-tent in action and it changed my mind. I think they have been steadily improving, the one I saw was very sturdy and the poles were flexible sort of bent to the curve of the canvas. It ended up being very tight and sturdy, I was in disbelief because it ended up being better than my manual tent and took a fraction of the time to setup (about 1 minute to take out and unfold). That being said, I haven't seen any pop up tents as big as some of the ones you have, or any that have smoke holes for winter camping
That's a popular tent based on my anecdotal experience, I've seen it mentioned a few times on these forums and I think I have a friend that has one as well.
Sounds like something my husband would say, but kinda nice not to share food with our little six-legged, winged friends.
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Great for keeping the bugs off while you're eating!
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