Family Caravanning

[kathryn_5122141]

kathryn, My wife caravenned as a child (I was a tent child), and she told me that her step-dad would no sooner have the steadies down, than he'd be setting up the TV and would watch it so it resembled a snow-storm, but he'd still watch it.

I thought we went on hoidays to do something different, so I comepletely agree with you on that.

We recently bought a '98 'Van and it doesn't have an aerial at all - yaay !!

I love it

It really gives us a chance to be together totally as a family without any distractions and concentrate on each other.

I have just been disappointed I guess at the majority of other caravanners who seem really grumpy and unsociable. Maybe I just need to find the right sort of site.

I feel in modern society that we are getting really intolerant of each other and our differences. I have no problem with what they do but they seem to have a problem with the mere existence of us and our kids. It's as if they pre-judge us before even giving us a chance.

We have never ever had any verbal confrontation as I bring my boys up to be respectful and considerate and it's not that I want them to be causing any concern to others - it's just the attitude that we get mainly from older caravanners who have got rid of their kids and magically forgotten the daily ins and outs of having them I think. It's sad - they seem to be so concerned with satellite dishes and sitting in their vans with all mod cons that they have forgotten why they are there. Surely if you choose to sit in a field with 100 other people you must expect to socialise? Maybe not - maybe a lot of people are just no good at social interation anymore.

 

[kathryn_5122141]

Hi caroline

Thanks for that - a lot of people I think are misunderstanding what I am saying and thinking that I have two out of control menaces which I really do not have.

I love caravanning - it really gives us a chance to be together totally as a family without any distractions and concentrate on each other.

I have just been disappointed I guess at the majority of other caravanners who seem really grumpy and unsociable. Maybe I just need to find the right sort of site.

I feel in modern society that we are getting really intolerant of each other and our differences. I have no problem with what they do but they seem to have a problem with the mere existence of us and our kids. It's as if they pre-judge us before even giving us a chance.

We have never ever had any verbal confrontation as I bring my boys up to be respectful and considerate and it's not that I want them to be causing any concern to others - it's just the attitude that we get mainly from older caravanners who have got rid of their kids and magically forgotten the daily ins and outs of having them I think. It's sad - they seem to be so concerned with satellite dishes and sitting in their vans with all mod cons that they have forgotten why they are there. Surely if you choose to sit in a field with 100 other people you must expect to socialise? Maybe not - maybe a lot of people are just no good at social interation anymore.

I have opened a can of worms haven't I? But it is very interesting because it confirms that what hubby and I were discussing without verification because we were only going on looks from people (as I said my boys do not misbehave so have never given anyone we have camped next to any reason to complain) is actually the case. People do pre-judge at the Caravan Club sites and they do just sit in their vans all day watching TV.

We loved the C&CC site we went to this weekend - it was the first really friendly people sitting outside and chatting kind of trip we have had and we are now looking into rallies as this seems to be the place where the friendly sociable people go. It was just a matter of experimenting and finding our place in the world of caravanning. I think we will let our Caravan Club membership lapse as their sites do have the sterile look of carparks and I guess that reflects what the members want but it's not what we want.

Hope to see you sometime and I promise I will smile at you and your children and say good morning

 

[Icemaker]

You think ball games are bad; last year in treardur bay anglsey my parents brand new coachman pastiche was hit on the roof by a kite which was being flown by a guy with two young kids right in the middle of the site.

The damage was considerable and required a trip back to the coachman factory, and guess what the guy had no insurance and a cival claim was just too expensive for a retired couple to pay.

Personally if i see any person using balls within stricking distance of my pitch i ask them to go to the play area politely, if they refuse then its a trip to the reception, i dont go away to be on edge that my van is going to be damaged by inconsiderate others (not just kids), i do not pitch my van on the local rec or park so dont play games on caravan pitches.

 

[Icemaker]

having said the above if you fancy a glass of wine or a beer and a chat then come round you will be more than welcome, we are usually sat outside our vans in fairly large groups enjoying the sunshine and a bit of banter, just leave the balls and kites at home.

PS, our satelight dish is for our daughter, she is 16 years old and not really the person anyone would want to meet at the moment, lol.

 

[kathryn_5122141]

Cheers Icemaker - you sound like the type of caravanner we like. Nice glass of wine outside in the sunshine. Just can't understand why people would go away to the beautiful countryside to sit in a tin box and watch a tin box!!

We are considerate - we don't fly kites or play football near people's caravans of course we don't. My comments weren't really about that but the thread seems to have been interpreted that way. It was more about the sad state our society has got into where we can't talk to each other any more and we can't mix. We want to box ourselves off and only mix with those exactly like us.

We love the European way of life where all generations spend all their time together socialising. When we are caravanning the grandparents usually seek us out on a Sunday and we all have a big family breakfast and go for a walk after. They absolutely love coming to see us and our kids love it too.

 

[George2]

The problem I see here is that Caravaning is a diverse recreation, different people do it for different reasons. I don't know what your reasons are, but mine is to get my children out of the city, where they have no place to play, where it is not safe to let them wander off on there own. Most of there lives they are stuck indoors or at school. We don't all have the luxury of living in the countryside or having parkland on our doorstep. For us caravaning is an escape form the city.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning balls games in between vans or balls bouncing off vans, and would certainly expect football and such games to be kept to the playing areas, but at the same time I'm sick of being pitched beside miserable old sods who spend all day scowling at every passing child who dares to breathe to loud near them, while there dogs bark and snap at every passing camper.

I know I am not welcome (and wouldn't be allowed into) an 'Adult Only' site, so maybe those miserable old sods should be grateful that there welcome on 'Child Friendly' sites and should just chill out.

PS

For anyone looking for a site to let there children wander free, mine love he Forest of Dean, if you don't like children then it's probably not for you.

 

[George2]

The problem I see here is that Caravaning is a diverse recreation, different people do it for different reasons. I don't know what your reasons are, but mine is to get my children out of the city, where they have no place to play, where it is not safe to let them wander off on there own. Most of there lives they are stuck indoors or at school. We don't all have the luxury of living in the countryside or having parkland on our doorstep. For us caravaning is an escape form the city.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning balls games in between vans or balls bouncing off vans, and would certainly expect football and such games to be kept to the playing areas, but at the same time I'm sick of being pitched beside miserable old sods who spend all day scowling at every passing child who dares to breathe to loud near them, while there dogs bark and snap at every passing camper.

I know I am not welcome (and wouldn't be allowed into) an 'Adult Only' site, so maybe those miserable old sods should be grateful that there welcome on 'Child Friendly' sites and should just chill out.

PS

For anyone looking for a site to let there children wander free, mine love he Forest of Dean, if you don't like children then it's probably not for you.

Sorry for the poor spelling, please replace 'there', with 'their' or 'they're', where appropriate.

George

 

[kathryn_5122141]

The problem I see here is that Caravaning is a diverse recreation, different people do it for different reasons. I don't know what your reasons are, but mine is to get my children out of the city, where they have no place to play, where it is not safe to let them wander off on there own. Most of there lives they are stuck indoors or at school. We don't all have the luxury of living in the countryside or having parkland on our doorstep. For us caravaning is an escape form the city.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not condoning balls games in between vans or balls bouncing off vans, and would certainly expect football and such games to be kept to the playing areas, but at the same time I'm sick of being pitched beside miserable old sods who spend all day scowling at every passing child who dares to breathe to loud near them, while there dogs bark and snap at every passing camper.

I know I am not welcome (and wouldn't be allowed into) an 'Adult Only' site, so maybe those miserable old sods should be grateful that there welcome on 'Child Friendly' sites and should just chill out.

PS

For anyone looking for a site to let there children wander free, mine love he Forest of Dean, if you don't like children then it's probably not for you.

I'm with you George.

Maybe they don't realise they are being so miserable but like you say we can't go to Adult Only sites so maybe folk who are so child unfriendly should go there and the rest of us who can tolerate diversity of age can all have fun together.

 

[RiaandJames_374303418]

Kathryn some of your comments could also apply to where we live. We bought the house about twenty years ago and in most of that time it has been rented out.

Some of our neighbours just about manage to nod and parking the caravan in the garden caused raised eyebrows even though it was only for two days.

From what we see our neighbours have very set ways and we do not fit that profile. Caravanning has a very diverse following and I would agree that some just seem to use the caravan as a mobile lounge that can be relocated to the odd field so the owners escape urban life.

Ria

 

[Glenn_5132962]

I have 2 kids aged 2 and 6. I try & get them to behave properly & respect others but they are kids. They get up early & make noise, but we keep them inside the van till at least 9.30 so we don't disturb others who may prefer to lie in.

Likewise, I expect anyone around me who is having a party in their awning or outside to quieten it down at 11pm or go inside their caravans.

My kids are allowed to play on my pitch with soft balls or other toys that will not cause any damage if they hit anything. Anything else, and it's off the the play area (all 4 of us).

I want my kids to get some fresh air and excercise, something they don't get at home cos we live on a busy road nowhere near a park. I have never had anyone complain about my kids - only ever had compliments on their manners & behaviour.

ps. My tv is only on in the rain and the dark!!!

 

[Surfer]

It has become so bad now that it is difficult to differentiate between the good kids and the bad kids, so every one generalises and we do the same. If the kids are well behaved, no problem but if not, in no uncertain terms we will tell to go packing.

Although we have not travelled on the continent, we caravanned a lot in Soutb Africa and there the kids were better behaved and if they weren't the proverbial literal slap around the earhole sorted the problem and the parents had no issue with this.

 

[chrissie2]

Kathryn, you are welcome to park up next to us any day! We find campsites without children to be boring and sterile places. C&CC sites are our favourites, we don't take a telly and providing that the weather is fine, are likely to be sitting outside with a book and a glass, watching the world go by and having a chuckle at the antics of passing children. If we happen to have our grandchildren with us, we will be actively engaged in keeping them amused and making sure that they cause no problems to anyone else - although we too are familiar with the scowl that assumes trouble the moment a child is spotted in the vicinity.

So, do continue to get out and about with your little ones. You are doing exactly the right thing, spending your leisure time with them and involving them in enjoying the countryside in the company of people of all ages. This is what family life should be about.

 

[kathryn_5122141]

Big hug to you Chrissie - that is exactly what I thought caravanning should be about. The joy of caravanning for us (coming from a city environment) is being able to get them out in the fresh air, running about, making friends, having as much freedom as they can have whilst still being in view.

No video games for us - at the age of 5 already my son has friends at school who can't play! Who say it's boring at our house because we have no video games and I won't let them watch telly all day. Very sad in my opinion.

And to Ian no I do not propose to hit my children I don't think that would teach them anything worthwhile.

 

[kathryn_5122141]

Actually Ian reading your post again it seems that you administered the clip round the ear to other people's children - is this the case?

 

[colin(bridgend)]

First of all every person who has posted a reply on this site was once a child. Think back to your childhood and what you did and the response you had from an adult if you did wrong. Looking back at my childhood I was no angel and some of the things I did, although I never broke the law, must have annoyed an adult.

Children need space to play and what better sound is there of children playing happily? It is not the child at fault it is the parent(s) who have not instilled in the child what is right or wrong and the art of respect to another human whether it be an adult or child. The child should be taught respect and manners by the parent(s). If this happened the child could be boisterous but not in an annoying way. Blame society and not the child - the child generally learns from its elders. If things are to be changed regarding children annoying adults then we must first adopt a different attitude as an adult.

In conclusion I do not object to any child playing near my caravan but the child must show respect for my or other people's

property and should they cause damage then the parent(s) should be held responsible. The difficulty comes when what is deliberate and what is an accident as none of us are perfect?

 

[Jane_374240756]

What a sensible response. I have two young children 3 and 4 year olds. A while ago I read a thread on this where people were saying they did not like to hear children early in the morning. We tend to go to either cc or c &cc sites as I always know the facilities are good. However, I must admit since reading that thread have felt very uncomfortable if my children are up and about at 7am in the morning. I do instil good manners on my children, but as Colin says they are only children and should be allowed to have fun (while being careful of other peoples property) without feeling victimised. I also can see lots of twitching curtains when they are outside (with us supervising I must add). Please all you out there with no children, dont spoil their fun by taring them all with the same brush.

Jane

 

[ProfJohnL]

Here are some interesting points!

Most sites carry a notice to the effect that the site owner cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss to your property.

If they also state no ball games allowed in certain areas (typically in the immediate vicinity of the caravans) and then someone then plays a ball game and damages a caravan, then the site is responsible because they have not enforced their own rules. Therefore they have been negligent in their duty to the customer.

The owner by inviting people to apply to use the site is exercising a method of control by which they either authorise or refuse entry.

It is therefore not a public site, though it is a site to which the public may have access.

It is reasonable then to expect the owner to refuse entry to persons deemed to be unsuitable, or who do not accept the rules of the site, and by that same argument anyone authorised to be on site must be deemed suitable.

If one or more of these 'suitable' people then proceeded to cause damage to property, or cause a nuisance, then the site Owner has not fulfilled their own requirement of only authorising access by suitable people.

Any comments from site owners??

 

[Val & Frank]

Ladies & Gentlemen

We are offered choices, it's up to all of us, as to which one we take.

Sites with children as Colin pointed out " what nicer sound than children at play "

The other view is "what nicer sound than No children to disturb you, when you are away for a relaxing weekend" So we are offered Adult only sites, for Adults, and Child friendly sites for people with Children.

It will eventually cost more money to go to a site with facilities for Children due to the higher maintenace cost of swings, and mown fields for the Children to Play. I know it sounds sad but that's the way of life.

Now as I said you have a choice, for us it's Adults Only, but when our Grandaughter wants to come with us it will be Children friendly. To us it's as simple as that.

Val & Frank

 

[LMH]

What I'd like to know is why do some people get on their high horse if a person likes to watch tv inside their van?

My job is incredibly stressful at times, watching tv is just one of the many things I do for relaxation. What's wrong with that?

Lisa

 

[George2]

John L -

I don't know what you're getting at, are you suggesting a site owner should ban someone as soon as their child kicks a ball in the wrong area, what would you move onto after balls? bikes? swingball? Site owners are running a business, they aren't gonna ban people for breaking every rule they make, what about 'dogs on leads at ALL times' you gonna ban everyone that ignores that? If I was a site owner who would I ban, half the people on site, or the one trouble maker complaining about everyone else?

Frank -

I don't know about the cost for Adult only and Child Friendly sites being different, it would be interesting to see the makeup of the different clubs membership, but if the CC sites become anymore child unfriendly maybe we'll find out. I will be surprised if it could survive on a membership of Adults Only, lets face it, a pitch with two adults and two or more children makes a lot more money than one with two adults and two dogs. I don't see why members with children should subsidize those wanting Adult Only sites, perhaps it's those members that should pay a premium.

George

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Ladies & Gentlemen

We are offered choices, it's up to all of us, as to which one we take.

Sites with children as Colin pointed out " what nicer sound than children at play "

The other view is "what nicer sound than No children to disturb you, when you are away for a relaxing weekend" So we are offered Adult only sites, for Adults, and Child friendly sites for people with Children.

It will eventually cost more money to go to a site with facilities for Children due to the higher maintenace cost of swings, and mown fields for the Children to Play. I know it sounds sad but that's the way of life.

Now as I said you have a choice, for us it's Adults Only, but when our Grandaughter wants to come with us it will be Children friendly. To us it's as simple as that.

Val & Frank

Frank - a slight amendment to your posting sir. Adult sites are for adults only - other sites can cater for families and adults only. My wife and I often visit family sites without our grandchildren and have as yet not experienced any problems. Sorry sir just a slight amendment.

 

[Viking1]

Not this one again it case more trouble.

Mark

 

[Val & Frank]

Frank - a slight amendment to your posting sir. Adult sites are for adults only - other sites can cater for families and adults only. My wife and I often visit family sites without our grandchildren and have as yet not experienced any problems. Sorry sir just a slight amendment.

Hi Colin,

Mae Wen Tee

Val & Frank

 

[Val & Frank]

George,

Adults Only, or With Children

It's not a lot different to an Awning or No Awning, or being charged for a Dog etc.

No I am not compairing Children with Dogs

You use more facilities you pay more money. It's not about subsidising one another it's about the use of facilities.

You pays your money and you decide

Val & Frank

 

[Surfer]

Actually Ian reading your post again it seems that you administered the clip round the ear to other people's children - is this the case?

Notice I said "literal"! I can't stand unruly bilghters and we seem to have more than our fair share over here, but it is not the fault of the kids, the blame lies directly with the parents who couldn't care less about the behavious of their off spring.