Long trip with three kids. Safe? Smart? Advice?

[Jeanne in MN]

It started out as a trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown and the ocean. I keep looking at the map and seeing how close Assateague Island is, then D.C., then Philly, then New York. I see Civil War sites and Amish country and I want to experience it all.

 

If one mom and three kids (ages 10, 9, and 9) from Minnesota had a a few weeks, a tent and a tax rebate would it really be wise and safe to do all that? :confused: Honestly, I'd be happy with one day in D.C. just to see monuments, outside of capitol, White House and inside the Smithsonian. (I know that could take days in itself) I'd be happy with one day in Philly and I'd be happy just seeing Ellis Island. I'd want to take it slow and have a down day, then a touring day or two days to tour slowly and a down day. It seem insane, but I'd *love* to go!!

 

I think I'd be scared to go to NYC/Ellis Island by myself and possibly even D.C. although it looks simple to get around.

 

-Jeanne

[Jodi-FL]

but not with a tent. and with 5 kids under 10. but I'm pretty independent, and grew up near Philly, so big cities don't intimidate me (it's pretty to get in/out of NYC too). You could find a pretty reasonable hotel, with an indoor pool before summer, and I would think it would be safer than camping (we tent camp, too, and a girlfriend and I used to do it together with our kids if our husband's couldn't go, but I don't think I'd do that alone, simply for logistics if one had to go to the bathroom, and at least here in the south, there have been some bad things happening in campgrounds lately).

 

all those things you mentioned are great experiences. and you would be making lifetime memories for your kids. I say go! you can always turn around and go home in the middle if it seems too much to do at once, and go back to do the rest with next year's tax refund!

 

JOdi

[Kathy in MD]

It started out as a trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown and the ocean. I keep looking at the map and seeing how close Assateague Island is, then D.C., then Philly, then New York. I see Civil War sites and Amish country and I want to experience it all.

 

If one mom and three kids (ages 10, 9, and 9) from Minnesota had a a few weeks, a tent and a tax rebate would it really be wise and safe to do all that? :confused: Honestly, I'd be happy with one day in D.C. just to see monuments, outside of capitol, White House and inside the Smithsonian. (I know that could take days in itself) I'd be happy with one day in Philly and I'd be happy just seeing Ellis Island. I'd want to take it slow and have a down day, then a touring day or two days to tour slowly and a down day. It seem insane, but I'd *love* to go!!

 

I think I'd be scared to go to NYC/Ellis Island by myself and possibly even D.C. although it looks simple to get around.

 

-Jeanne

 

metropolitan area where you can camp. http://http://www.nps.gov/archive/gree/. There are other campsites near DC, but I don't know of any others that are as convenient to the Metro. DC is very easy to get around by Metro, and the locals are usually helpful on the Metro. One caveat is that you don't want to use Metro during the height of rush hour :rolleyes:

 

On Assateague, there's both a national and MD state park that has camping sites. If you're there after mid-late May, the bugs come out. If that's when you can make it, reserve an ocean side site. The breezes will reduce, not eliminate, the biting bugs. Otherwise, opt for bay side. You can often get waterside sites and the crashing waves aren't so loud. (Ocean side sites are hidden from the ocean by dunes). Do bring a screen tent to go over the picnic table, no matter what season you go. The ponies are food thieves par excellence :p and the screen house will make eating more relaxing.

 

Have Fun

[Danestress]

I camp with my kids alone all the time, but not with five kids under 10. That sounds like hard work.

 

But I don't feel unsafe camping. I think the mall parking lot is probably more dangerous than most camp grounds. I do think, though, that the "potty in the middle of the night" thing could be a real problem. How would you feel about having to leave your kids to take a three year old to the bathroom? That's the one thing I would worry about.

 

However, I do think traveling with kids is a great experience and Mom's that camp are fun Moms:) My kids adore it!

[Gigi]

If one mom and three kids (ages 10, 9, and 9) from Minnesota had a a few weeks, a tent and a tax rebate would it really be wise and safe to do all that? :confused:

-Jeanne

 

 

I would do it. I haven't camped with my kids but we have traveled when my husband had to work and most of our field trips in Chicago have just been us. I think it sounds like a fun idea and I love that age group.

[susie in tx]

I did this in November/December of last year. I took a 12 yo, 9 yo, 6 yo, and 4 yo. We drove from Texas to New Jersey. We spent Thanksgiving weekend in D.C. It wasn't nearly enough time. In addition, we also went to Philly, Gettysburg, the Atlantic City aquarium, and various sites there and back. We were there to see my husband as he was working in NJ. Oh yeah, we also got to visit a new to use pediatrician and the ER in Atlantic City. Can't forget that. ;/

 

I'd do it again, even though it was hard. We slept in cheap hotels most of the time and were sick for a portion of the time. I wouldn't want to do it sick again. I also got out of there as soon as the snow started to fly cause I haven't driven in real snow in over a decade and I didn't want to relearn in a van with 4 little girls.

 

We learned a ton, even though we didn't get to see everything I wanted to see. I'd never been to D.C. and just being there on a cold fall day was enough to bring about goosebumps. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

As far as safety, I was as careful as I know how to be. I took the girls to Macedonia last spring and so I had some ideas on how to keep us as safe as possible.

[WTMindy]

I think it sounds great! But, we (kids included) love driving vacations. I've never done it without dh, but I would feel comfortable doing it. We did a similar trip to what you are considering a couple years ago and it was my favorite of all our vacations so far. WA DC is very much worth it!!

[WTMCassandra]

Don't want to rain on your parade, but don't let the map fool you. Congestion, traffic, and lower speed limits make the drives looonnnnger. Frankly, there's enough in Virginia to keep you going for several weeks, with perhaps a day trip or two to DC (definitely park outside the city and use the Metro).

 

I would choose a base of operations and then do what is within driving distance. Setting up and tearing down camp too many times, with no other adult helpers and a group of small ones, is no joke. It will Get. Old.

 

If after you've done a week or two in Virginia you feel brave, maybe you can head up to a base of operations in PA where you can again set up in one place and do day trips.

 

Be careful of all of those little ones in big cities. Have them hold hands, maybe have them wear matching clothes and ID bracelets. Personally, trying to keep track of small children in big cities wears me out--so know yourself before you try it.

 

If I were you, I would just focus on Virginia and maybe add in the DC if I felt brave. But maybe you're not as much of a chicken as I am . . .

 

Blessings to you, whatever you decide.

[Peek a Boo]

If one mom and three kids (ages 10, 9, and 9) from Minnesota had a a few weeks, a tent and a tax rebate would it really be wise and safe to do all that?

 

add a good cell phone to that list and I'd go! :-)

 

with a few weeks, I'd be tempted to pitch a tent in VA for a week, camp outside DC for the next week, and move up towards NY the last week --if it's all in the summer, lol. i detest camping in any inclement weather and w/ kids that are still potty training --

 

have fun :-)

[Jeanne in MN]

On Assateague, there's both a national and MD state park that has camping sites..... The ponies are food thieves par excellence :p and the screen house will make eating more relaxing.

 

Have Fun

 

Thank you for the link to the DC are campsites and the info. on Assateague. I was afraid they horses might be a bit elusive, but it sounds like we'd be more likely to have to kick them out of the tent at night! LOL! Would love to camp on the ocean (or bay)-that would be amazing for us landlubbers. I'd been looking at First Landing State Park in VA, but maybe we'll have to consider Assateague.

 

thanks for your help!

[Jeanne in MN]

Don't want to rain on your parade, but don't let the map fool you. Congestion, traffic, and lower speed limits make the drives looonnnnger. Frankly, there's enough in Virginia to keep you going for several weeks, with perhaps a day trip or two to DC (definitely park outside the city and use the Metro).

 

I would choose a base of operations and then do what is within driving distance. Setting up and tearing down camp too many times, with no other adult helpers and a group of small ones, is no joke. It will Get. Old.

 

If after you've done a week or two in Virginia you feel brave, maybe you can head up to a base of operations in PA where you can again set up in one place and do day trips.

 

Be careful of all of those little ones in big cities. Have them hold hands, maybe have them wear matching clothes and ID bracelets. Personally, trying to keep track of small children in big cities wears me out--so know yourself before you try it.

 

If I were you, I would just focus on Virginia and maybe add in the DC if I felt brave. But maybe you're not as much of a chicken as I am . . .

 

Blessings to you, whatever you decide.

Our three will be 10, 9 and 9, so that shouldn't be too hard. But it's good to know just because they look close on a map, doesn't mean it's as simple as all that. I appreciate all the input!

 

I'm trying hard to respond to particular posts, but I fear my responses aren't getting under the right posts. Bear with me as I keep trying. :)

[Kathy in MD]

of them is. Like when he camp racing back on his bike yelling "Mom, Dad! Some people in campground A were robbed! They were watching the sunset on their picnic bench and their potato chips were stolen!" or "Mom, Dad! A girl came out of the restroom and a pony was staring her in the face! She jumped back in and then came out with her hand extended and said, 'Back off! I've got a battery and I know how to use it!' "

 

I forgot to give you a hint for the Metro. If you make a mistake and try to travel during the height of rush hour, you might become separated. Tell your dc if that happens to get off at the next station and stay put! They aren't to move from the platform! You'll grab the next train and catch up with them. If they don't make it, have them stay put and you'll return for them. You do want to get into the same car, because you aren't supposed to travel between the individual Metro cars.