My outdoorsy husband didn't want to take a baby and a toddler camping. I insisted — and regretted it by 2 a.m.

The author convinced her reluctant husband to take their young children camping, despite his disinterest. Mosquito bites and the summer heat kept the toddler awake and miserable, leading them to abandon the trip after 36 hours. They decided to give camping another try after the initial experience. The first indication that the second camping trip would not work out was the conflict between the author and her husband from the start.

Although he was an experienced outdoorsman, he found dragging two kids into the wilderness during peak summer heat and mosquito season unbearable. The author, on the other hand, had recently discovered a love for the outdoors and envisioned her family playing in the water, lounging by the lake while her young child napped. Frustrated by Minnesota winters, she pushed for the trip to happen immediately.

Upon arriving at the campsite, the author realized they were not adequately prepared for the trip. They hastily acquired necessary items like a clunky fan, a screen shelter, and a camping chair, which did not meet the family's needs. A suitable tent was difficult to find, but a friend provided one. They packed enough supplies for two weeks, arriving at the campsite on Friday.

Upon setting up camp, the author applied citronella spray to her toddler's legs, hoping to deter mosquitoes. However, the bug bites persisted, and the toddler woke up at 2 a.m. complaining of itchy legs. Despite her attempts to alleviate her child's discomfort using various creams, the situation worsened. At 2 a.m., the entire family experienced a meltdown due to the itchy bites, uncomfortable tent, and irritating sheets.

The baby, who needed to be nursed, only worsened the situation. They switched to distracting the toddler and cooling her down with a fan on her legs while her husband told a lengthy story about a bear with no hair. The next morning, the baby awoken and needed to be nursed, making it impossible for the mother to find relief. On the second day, the author's attempt to provide relief through a cool shower proved unsuccessful as the tap only had two settings: off or extremely hot.

The author was determined to end the camping experience, expressing her desire to pack up and return home. While the toddler slept soundly in her Pack 'n Play, the family reluctantly left the campsite. Back home, the toddler made friends with a rock, and the family's suffering from the camping trip seemed futile. However, a few weeks later, the author and her family tried camping once more with better preparations, resulting in a more enjoyable experience.