Late Nights

When the children first came home we were really strict with their routine for lots of different reasons and it worked for us. Now, 2 and a half years later we are starting to be a lot more secure about making changes to routine and this weekend was a major step forward for us. We headed for the field to make camp on Saturday - after the obligatory row over the new tent and its first erection we got settled in. The weather was terrible and, even with puddlesuits and Wellington boots, we wanted to avoid being outdoors as much as possible so we decided to visit the local pub. The kids were amazing, The sat quietly with their drinks, played on their tablets and did some colouring and drawing. I was so proud.

We left once they declared a requirement for food and headed back to my parent's caravan for dinner but once this was done we decided to go back to the pub. It was much warmer, dryer and full of friends. We were prepared in the same way and once again the children were amazing. They have understood and appreciated that pubs and restaurants are not the places for running about or screaming and shouting. It means we can take them to these types of places more often. As we were away for 2 nights we had decided that night 2 would be the late one, mainly so we could change our minds if night 1 didn't go too well. An hour past bed time and we headed back to the tent and made ready. Both children climbed into bed without a fuss, we tucked them in and made sure that they would be warm (if they stayed put) and retired to a safe distance (although still within ear shot). The messing about commenced. After 10 minutes and both getting up for the toilet (regardless of the fact that they had just been) and all was quiet.

The morning held its own challenge. Youngest was the superstar - one plaintive cry of 'is it time to get up' around 6am and after the answer was negative she went back to sleep until 7.30am. Brilliant,

Oldest was not such a star. The shouting started at 5.30am and continued until 7.30 when he was finally allowed to get up. He was told afternoon nap or no staying up late.

The day was a good one on most fronts - meals, snacks, drinks, a walk round the village fayre to make friends out of wooden spoons, watch a puppet show, have a go on the climbing wall and the tombola and, in a brief moment of pure calm, there was an afternoon nap. The rain stopped so all of this which made it so much easier. But we didn't have to worry about the time - meals were prepared and presented when requested and not at the set time which meant we had a lot more flexibility. Dinner was the same and it was much later than we realised before the children declared that they were hungry. Still, it was eaten with minimal fuss.

As all had been completed, as promised, this was the late night. They were allowed to sit up, wrapped in blankets for warmth once it was too dark to be running about and when bed time was declared we only had a minimum of complaint to manage. Plus both were asleep within 5 minutes of being tucked up in bed so that was an added bonus.

Morning was another moment for youngest to shine - a lie in until 9am! I was amazed. Oldest did better than previously and managed until 7.30. But both slept on the drive home so all was well and I am looking forward to out next camping excursion.

Changing routine used to terrify me. I would have all sorts of plans and scenarios and work arounds ready but, it turns out, the children have surpassed my expectations. All it took was time and tiny little fairy steps.