Rose Colored Glasses

I have a problem.

I like to camp.

I love the smell of a camp fire.

I  enjoy the cool nights, the morning dew,

and warm afternoon sun.

I just don't like it when I'm the mom.

It's hard.

Super hard.

It was easy when it was just Larry and I.

We only needed a few things,

and filled up a tent like this.

But that changed.

Our family grew,

and so did our tent size.

I kept trying to convince myself camping is great.

So we bought a tent to fit our growing needs.

But even that tent couldn't support 

all the needs of 5 young kids.

Like portable toilets, coolers full of sippy cups,

port-a-cribs and at least 1 flashlight for every child.

Now that our tent size resembles a small

New York apartment,

camping is difficult.

 

I can't help it.

I like camping too much not to go.

Although the demands of a parent leaves

much to be desired.

It's hard to keep up my standards of cleanliness,

organization and calmness

amid dirt, bugs, nature, allergies,

and mother nature.

I guess you could say,

I'm TORN.

I can't deny giving my kids a chance at

enjoying it too.

So as I dig out the sleeping bags

and pack for 6 of the 7 people in our family

I'm determined to take a deep breath

and enjoy camping again.

Wish me luck!