Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Sleeping in the garden

(95 Posts)
tanith Tue 23-Jul-19 20:12:04

Has anyone done it? I really want to invite my GD 14 to sleepover and we could sleep outside in this heat but just thinking of the drawbacks?

So would you/have you?

CW52 Wed 24-Jul-19 14:30:54

We always camped out, often in the back garden. I did it later on with my dd when she was a teenager and we had great fun. Give it a go, there’s always security in the thought that the loo (& your bed) is close by if you change your mind in the night.

dragonfly46 Wed 24-Jul-19 13:48:25

I would do it especially with the grandchildren. I used to camp for three weeks every year from the age of 15 to 50.

Craftycat Wed 24-Jul-19 13:48:03

I would but flaming baby foxes would probably get in with us. They are just far too tame this year.

Stansgran Wed 24-Jul-19 13:43:44

Salt around the recliner should keep the slugs at bay. I remember a camping holiday in Ireland when the slugs snuggled up under the groundsheet so that the it was my shape when we packed up.

ninathenana Wed 24-Jul-19 13:33:58

"all this rain" ??

It rained in Kent Friday night, I can't remember the last time before that.

grandmac Wed 24-Jul-19 13:13:21

When living abroad in a very hot country, my husband, young son and myself slept outside on our terrace in an enclosed garden. All was good until the people upstairs watered the plants on their balcony in the early morning, and we got soaked!! shock grin

TheMaggiejane1 Wed 24-Jul-19 12:25:31

My daughter regularly slept in a little tent, by herself, in the garden from the age of 8 onwards. The first time she did it I was convinced she would decide to come inside the house once it got dark but she never did, even when it rained.

A few years ago when we were having really hot weather, pretty much like now our bedroom was dreadfully uncomfortable and I couldn’t sleep. We’d got a hammock set up in the garden so in the middle of the night I decided to go outside and sleep on that. I’d got a very flimsy nightdress on and the hammock was right in the middle of the lawn but I knew I wouldn’t be seen as it was pitch black. Unfortunately, I hadn’t taken in to account next door’s security lights! So there was I in the middle of the night in my tiny nightie lit up for the whole street to see - classy!

Milly Wed 24-Jul-19 12:22:17

It sounds fun but do you have foxes in your area. We do and not sure I'd feel safe knowing a fox might come a calling.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Wed 24-Jul-19 12:17:12

I would possibly do so if I had a tent but not otherwise. We had rain, thunder and lightning last night so it would have been horrible. I am a midge magnet and would probably be covered in bites so this is very off-putting too.

moggie57 Wed 24-Jul-19 12:14:32

in a tent? or under the stars?

mrsgreenfingers56 Wed 24-Jul-19 12:05:23

Go for it! When good weather and we have our grandson over he thinks great fun for us all to have the tent up and sleep in it.

Craicon Wed 24-Jul-19 12:05:00

Yes! Great idea.
We have a fun rocket tent that fits over the trampoline. DS hasn’t actually slept outside all night yet but then it’s much cooler here at the moment. 16 degrees average daytime temperature this week.

Kim19 Wed 24-Jul-19 11:58:09

Just smiling at memories of my children doing this. We always left the back door open for either toilet or chickening out. If it was requested now by GC I would have to do it with them. Wondering if I was a terribly irresponsible Mother!!

NotSpaghetti Wed 24-Jul-19 11:36:33

Not sure you’ll see the stars in Ealing if you have lots of street lights - but why not do it anyway.
Would definitely consider an insecticide though... especially after all this rain.

ninathenana Wed 24-Jul-19 11:27:44

My DD and GCx2 love sleeping in their tent in our large garden, they lay outside star gazing and chatting until they are ready to sleep.. We are not overlooked at all and they can't be seen from the road. Downstairs toilet is just inside the back door so DD has the keys with her. Anyway being boys aged 7 and 10 there are buckets behind the shed grin if they don't want to wake mummy.
Not sure what is meant buy safety concerns. As phoenix says easy to make a dash indoors.

granny4hugs Wed 24-Jul-19 11:18:13

Struggling to find the issue on this one???
Your granddaughter would love it. It would be a (very tiny) adventure.
If anything goes wrong - i.e. you see a fly or the leaves rustle too loudly or you can't get a signal on your phone - you could send a pigeon or smile signals for help and someone, somewhere, somehow would probably come guide you back to the house.
Go on, be a devil, risk it...

GabriellaG54 Wed 24-Jul-19 11:17:02

Yes... a lovely idea if you are safe and do not leave the house unlocked. What fun. We used to do that as children and dad even rigged up a tv in the tent. We washed in a bowl and mum brought our breakfast out on a tray. Gosh! That brought back memories of playing rounders and sleeping outside for weeks during the hols. Food tasted so much better too.
Enjoy...

schnackie Wed 24-Jul-19 11:12:13

I lived in Ealing on Lothair Rd many years ago. I would feel very safe sleeping in my own back garden. (I still visit frequently - it's such a wonderful area!)

Quizzer Wed 24-Jul-19 11:01:18

Slept indoors last night but woke at 3am to torrential rain! In a tent, yes, but under the stars, no!!

maryhoffman37 Wed 24-Jul-19 11:00:59

Thunderstorms and biting insects. I wouldn't do it.

Ginny42 Wed 24-Jul-19 10:52:22

When we used to have camping holidays I felt much healthier and my skin was amazing. When my DD was about 10 she and friends slept in the garden, but I made my OH sleep downstairs by the patio doors! The worst that happened was a visit from a hedgehog. Good luck with your adventure. smile

sarahellenwhitney Wed 24-Jul-19 10:35:53

All manner hmmcomes out at night not necessarily are all of the wild life kind.I would invest in air conditioning.

theresacoo Wed 24-Jul-19 10:34:47

We use a small tent it’s fun

BusterTank Wed 24-Jul-19 10:31:58

Go for it . Your making memories with your grand daughter . If it goes tits up , you can always go in doors .

Charleygirl5 Wed 24-Jul-19 10:21:51

I live not a million miles away from tanith and we have visiting foxes. They can jump and climb- a neighbour took a photo of one sunbathing on a shed roof.