We Took My Sister-in-Law and Her Toddler on a Seaside Camping Holiday—A Thousand Regrets Followed

I took my sister-in-law and her little boy on holiday. I’ve regretted it a thousand times.

This year, my wife and I went to the seaside. For the past few years, we’ve holidayed at the coast with friends, driving down in our cars. Were old hands at it. We pick a stretch of beach, set up our tents, and that’s our base. During the day, we splash about in the sea, sunbathe, and come evening, we gather around the fire, strumming a few tunes on the guitar and sipping a glass of crisp white wine. This summer, my sister-in-law, Emily, came with uswith her two-and-a-half-year-old son.

We debated for agesshould we bring them along or not?

Unfortunately, we let ourselves be persuaded. Looking back, it wasnt the boy who caused us grief, but Emily. The trouble started as soon as we set off. Emily wanted to stop every hour, saying she was tired and needed to lie down. We arrived hours later than planned; our friends were already fully settled in, and they’d even managed a swim. At last, we got there. Thats when round two began. Emily was upset:

Im not staying here!

Why not? We told you it was a camping trip!

I thought that meant wed look for a place to stay when we arrived, like booking a B&B or something.

Why do you think we brought tents and sleeping bags? my wife muttered.

I just thought camping meant something different.

In the end, we wound up renting her a room. Then my wife had to ferry Emily back and forthbring her to us during the day, drive her back each night. That wasnt all: she expected to be chauffeured to cafes and markets, wanted to hand the little one over for a breather from her so-called work.

Actually, we all looked after the boy. But he wasnt any botherhe was a cheerful lad, running around, having a paddle, eating whatever we gave him, napping peacefully in the tent each afternoon. His mother, on the other hand, was quite another story.

Next time, we certainly wont invite Emily. But if his parents ask, wed gladly take the boy. Hes the perfect camper.

The lesson Ive learnt? Take people as they are, but think carefully before mixing family with your favourite traditions. Some folk just arent made for adventures under canvas.