When I was a kid, we were always and forever going on adventures. We had an annual whitewater rafting trip in August, several ski weekends in the winter, and random vacations and day excursions here and there. It was not at all uncommon for my father to say on a Friday, “Pack a bag. We’re going to Seattle for the weekend.” Or, “Who wants to go to the mountain for the day?”
The “who wants to” wasn’t really a question, as of course we were all going and we were going to like it, dammit. As a small child, these adventures were always greeted with enthusiasm. Do I want to go somewhere fun? Uh, yeah I do!
If my younger brother or I showed anything less than complete joy over a trip, planned or spontaneous, my dad would dangle a carrot. “You don’t want to go to Portland? You know it has the biggest Toys R Us in the world, right?” “Really?” we would look at each other, eyes wide. “Yeah, okay. We wanna go.”
We never did see the biggest Toys R Us in the world. It took longer than I would like to admit for the two of us to realize he was feeding us an utter falsehood. At least two years of, “You guys were asleep when we passed it.” Or, “I know I said Portland had the biggest one, but they just built an even bigger one on the mountain where we’ll be camping.” Eventually it became a family joke, all of us laughing at how much stupidity my brother and I displayed.
As we got older, family trips seemed less appealing. We were teens, and our friends rated much higher than our parents. Mom and Dad were more fun than many of our friends’ parents, but they were still parents, after all.
Weekend ski trips were still cool because we often went with family friends, and our rafting trips were large affairs with lots of kids, but a day up to the mountain to hike and swim in glacially cold streams? No, thanks. I’d rather stay home watching MTV and making friendship bracelets while talking to my best friend on the phone for three hours straight.
My dad would laugh when I attempted to pass on quality family time, and he’d tell me to get my shoes on. I would pitch a fit and cry that he was ruining my life and it wasn’t fair and I didn’t want to go on a stupid adventure.
We called this display “Happy Camp.” Happy Camp was any childish whining, pouting, or complaining over a seemingly fun event. Going to the movies but only getting popcorn and not candy? Happy Camp. Schlepping all of our ski gear up to the mountain, securing expensive lift tickets, and wanting to call it a day after two runs because it’s too cold? Happy Camp.
Once, we were in Seattle for the weekend, and on Saturday morning, my brother and I were in particularly surly moods. We slouched in the backseat of the car, carrying on like we were four and six, not fourteen and sixteen, while my mother sat quietly in the passenger seat. Finally, my dad swung his head around and in an unusual display of anger, yelled, “You two better knock that shit off and be quiet. We’re having a fun weekend, and you’re ruining your mom’s birthday!” Oh, no. Oh, yes. We had forgotten it was Mom’s birthday. That was the day Happy Camp turned into The Kids Are Assholes Camp.
We sheepishly apologized, and attempted, fairly successfully, to keep our asshole ways in check the rest of the day. Mostly my asshole ways. My brother was a much sweeter kid than I, which is why everyone understandably likes him better. After that day, Happy Camp wasn’t around as much. I realized it was more fun to participate in the adventure than to drag my heels and glower. I’m cuter when I smile, anyway.
I don’t have to tell you that I’m glad my parents forced me away from the telephone and the TV to have fun. I look back on those trips, whether to Disneyland or to fly kites just 30 minutes from home, with fondness. I would say I’m dreading the day my own kids bring Happy Camp into our fun, but really, it’s already happening. Just yesterday I heard from my four-year-old, “You used to be the best mom. Then you said, ‘No ice cream.'”
I am my father’s daughter, so I’ll be prepared for older Happy Campers. I’ll laugh, and tell them to put their shoes on, with the reminder, “We’re making memories and having fun, dammit. Besides, don’t you want to see the biggest Toys R Us in the world?”
Do you have Happy Camp at your house? What do your kids complain about?
We have “Happy Camp” about everything! My oldest is actually the one with the better attitude. If whatever we’re doing requires a car ride of longer than half an hour, you can bet your ass there’s going to be bitching about it. And you can also bet your ass I’ve used that line, “We’re going to have fun and you’d better plaster a smile across your face about it, dammit.” Good times.
Doesn't it warm your heart to know that they'll be sneering the same thing to your grandkids someday? Ah, family!
My recent post Happy Camp
"You will smile and you will have fun." Yep, have said more than once to my kids and will probably say it many more times. They don't usually complain about going, it's the getting there and the every single second either not being packed with fun and unicorns or not revolving around the particular kid. Thankfully the smile and fun line usually reminds them this trip/event/whatever is for everyone and they get over their little snit pretty quick. But I may have to try the biggest Toys R Us in the world trick sometime.
Save the Toys R Us line as your ace in the hole. It's foolproof!
My recent post Happy Camp
I literally laughed so hard that I cried with this one. Car trips bring out the Happy Camper in both Hubby and I. We have been known to say "Shut your trap and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside."
P.S. Where does one sign up for your Happy Camp? I have two campers ready to go.
My recent post Today is PE day at school so the “running fast…
The family that complains about having fun together, stays together.
My recent post Happy Camp
Word!
My recent post Thursday’s edition of “I bet you can’t find…
Love it!!! Your dad was very smart.
I'm so excited you commented! Thank you!!
My recent post Happy Camp
This post is so true. We have a beach house about an hour away. EVERY TIME we go, the kids bitch the whole drive down there. I'm done sputtering about what ungrateful jerks they're being. Now I can introduce them to Happy Camp.
A whole hour in the car? What a nightmare for your poor kids to endure! 😉 They are totally Happy Campers.
My recent post Just Add Water: My Week Condensed 10/5/13
LOVE this post so much I want to marry it! What you described is exactly what I want for my children…right down to the tears and complaining…which is awesome since they already give it to me in spades! ;)-Ashley
My recent post Our Favorite “Rant” Ever!
A happy child is a complaining child, or so it would seem!
My recent post Just Add Water: My Week Condensed 10/5/13
I think the question is what DON'T my kids complain about: it's too hot; it's too cold; the TV is too loud; we don't want to wear socks, etc. I will now refer to their whining as Happy Camp and think of you every time, dammit 🙂