Camino with toddlers

EbenV

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2014

• May 5, 2013

• #1

We are planning to walk Camino Francé in May & June 2014 all the way to Santiago with our two boys. They will be aged 1 & 3 years old and we plan to do it with two jogging strollers and all our gear. We are planning to complete our pilgrimage in 45 days and switch between Albergues, hostels and hotels.

I am wondering if there are anyone who have done the Camino with toddlers or young children? What advice and suggestions would you have.

Buen Camino
E+H+S+F

 

Choweth

Active Member

• May 5, 2013

• #2

Although younger, If you watch the YouTube channel "BeYourPotential" it's about a man, his wife, and their 6 month old son. I though it was wonderful to watch. They have a full video blog on YouTube from SJPDP to Santiago to Finisterre.

The channel: http://m.youtube.com/user/BeYourPotential


{Candace}
http://www.pilgrimontherun.com
-a blog about life, a bucket list, and a future pilgrimage-

 

N

na2than

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

(2012)(2013)

• May 8, 2013

• #3

saw lots of todlers last summer....most were in trailers behind bikes. the idea is the same....but it may be worth looking into.Are the children 1 and 3 now...(2 and 4 by the time they go on camino)
?.Some walking trails are very uneven...the bike routes are often more suitable,any way...good luck

 

Madidi

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 2012 & 17: Fisterra Muxia 2013 & 2015: Ingles 2014: Madrid 2015: Salvador & Primitivo 2016

• May 8, 2013

• #4

I met a few families walking with young children last September on my Camino but they were only doing short sections with lots of stops. Not sure about about taking taking little ones on the full journey.

Saw a few toddlers on bicycles too: notable one couple with a little one who rode on her fathers bike between his knees. They were on mountain bikes and tackled a lot of the rougher tracks. They were in the queue just ahead of me at the pilgrims office in Santiago!! Amazing feat

The blog Candace refers to above is a must watch for the wonderful Indigo: an amazing baby.

 

J

jeff001

Active Member

• May 9, 2013

• #5

Moderator edited.

Members are reminded that personal attacks are in violation of the forum rules.

 

Choweth

Active Member

• May 9, 2013

• #6

I know if I took my 1 and 3 year old (if they are like they are at home) they would behave wonderfully. My 3 year old has terrific manners and they are so quiet. I can take them anywhere. I think it depends on the children. If you know your kids terrorize everything and bounce off the walls, maybe not. Also, there are ways around being strapped in all the time. Applause to anyone who does take their children, i imagine it takes a lot of energy.


{Candace}
http://www.pilgrimontherun.com
-a blog about life, a bucket list, and a future pilgrimage-

 

Yallah

Camino Guidebooks (Village to Village)

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés, Finisterre, Portugués, Norte, Primitivo, Inglés

• May 9, 2013

• #7

I would stick to private accommodations if walking the camino with toddlers. I would think it would be very difficult for young children to sleep well in a dorm and there would be a large potential for them keeping others awake, no matter how well-behaved and quiet they are under normal circumstances.

 

Choweth

Active Member

• May 9, 2013

• #8

I say, you never know until you try.


{Candace, Texas, USA)
http://www.pilgrimontherun.com
-a blog about life, a bucket list, and a future pilgrimage-

 

annakappa

RIP 2024

Time of past OR future Camino

Part frances jun 07/rest frances may- jun 2008/Frances sept-oct 2009/ Sanabres Oct 2010/Frances sept-oct 2011/Aragones Sept-Oct 2012. Hospitalero Sept 2010, Amiga in Pilgrim's Office Oct 2013. Part Primitivo Oct 2013. Portugues from Porto June 2015.

• May 9, 2013

• #9

Yallah said:

I would stick to private accommodations if walking the camino with toddlers. I would think it would be very difficult for young children to sleep well in a dorm and there would be a large potential for them keeping others awake, no matter how well-behaved and quiet they are under normal circumstances.

Click to expand...

Quite possibly they will be quieter than the snorer symphony! Anne

 

hecate105

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

'09 Portuguese Estellas '14 Aurelia '16 St Davids '17 Via Augusta/V dl P. '18/'19 Michael Mary Way

• May 10, 2013

• #10

A couple of books you might want to read - The Great Donkey Walk:
From Spain to Greece by Pilgrim Way and Tracks by
Susan Chitty and Thomas Hinde (3 kids, 2 parents, 2 donkeys, mayhem and a wonderful education/adventure)
The Seven Year Hitch: a family odyssey by David R Grant ( 5 kids, mum went home, they went round the world despite civil war, crime, disease - turned out well-adjusted competent adults...)

Travel at any age broadens your mind and horizons - as a kid it gives you skills to better face life with. I'm sure there will be days you regret it and days you wish you could go on forever, but i am sure you will all benefit from the experience.
And on albergue noise - I don't think toddlers have anything on olympic-snoring, plastic-bag scrunching, light on/off/on/off, door-slamming adults, who leave at 4am!!!
Just make sure you let them out of their strollers for a good run each day and never run out of portable food..... Good luck!

 

waveprof

Enthusiast

Time of past OR future Camino

May-June 2013, Camino Frances

• May 10, 2013

• #11

jeff001 said:

With all due respect, what you are describing sounds like borderline child abuse.

Click to expand...

:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

KinkyOne

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

I'am not perfect, but I'm always myself!!!

• May 11, 2013

• #12

In 2011 I met a mother from Germany with her daughter (accompanied by grandmother and grandfather) "walking" the same way you intend to. For several days we've met on the same places and the girl was sooo sweet and never annoying because of her behavior or crying or something like that. As I remember they used to sleep in CRs or Hostales.

Ultreia!

 

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