This creepy campfire shot from years ago seemed appropriate for this post…

So, Zan announced to me the other night that Dear Neighbor Man wants to go camping. Not just any old camping trip mind you. He wants to have a Daddy and Kids Adventure, complete with no Mommies…on an island…in the middle of a lake…reachable only by boat…with no bathroom facilities…and lions…and tigers…and bears, OH, MY! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating with the lions, tigers and bears part, but the rest is all true.

This announcement sent my panic meter into overdrive. The Whatifs started flashing by my eyes like a high speed movie straight out of Lost’s Dharma Room 29. The Whatifs are too numerous to list but they include anything ranging from poison ivy to snake bite to loss of life and limb in a variety of horrific imagined scenarios.

But in my quest to be a rational Mommy who doesn’t allow fear to restrict her childrens’ experiences, I said, “I’m sure you and the girls would enjoy that,” which was immediately followed by, “Oh, we’re taking Mister too! He’ll have a blast!!!”.

Exit air from Mommies lungs. Gasp for breath. Breathe through the panic. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

My darling husband wants to take my four year old boy, MY BABY, on a camping trip in the middle of Nowhere! Don’t get me wrong…I love the fact that these men, both wonderful Fathers WANT to do this thing with their kids (six kids by the way…they are WAY outnumbered without us women…) But…but…but….*breathe*

He quickly follows up with, “Imagine, you and A. would have the whole weekend alone to do whatever you want!” Ooooooh….now he’s playing dirty. An enticing proposition, I won’t lie. Responsible Worry Wart Never-Wants-to-be-Parted-From-Her-Kids Mommy on one shoulder being bullied by Irresponsible Selfish Wants-to-Do-Anything-She-Damn-Well-Pleases Mommy on the other. SO not fair.

Tell me, why do they have to push the envelope? Why couldn’t they first take the kids on a little local adventure at the nice safe campground 15 minutes away so I could swoop in at a moments notice and see my babies between my massage and my afternoon matinee? A nice little spot that is Ambulance accessible? With bathrooms…and a First Aid station?

That sounds like a win-win to me, don’t you agree??