Sleep monster
As you’ve probably gathered, the Peas family are big fans of camping. I suspect I have Stockholm Syndrome – the condition where a kidnapped person starts identifying with their captors – as I cannot otherwise explain why I’ve been so willing to swap high heels for wellies and a well-stocked kitchen for jars of Uncle Ben sauce this summer.
Although its got to be said, I do still have a nice comfy bed to sleep in, even out in the wilds of, erm, a Welsh campsite. Our T25 has a double ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ bed in the back. That’s pretty much why I agreed to get a camper van in the first place.
Ah, beds. I miss sleep. I don’t think I’ve had a full night’s sleep in over a year now – since Savannah was born, basically. She’s always been a terrible sleeper – and she doesn’t nap! I’m lucky if I get 15 minutes peace a day. She’ll sleep in the buggy or the car, but as soon as it stops moving, those beady little eyes flick open and she’s off. My 3-year old has always been a good sleeper – as a baby, I’d just put him down in his cot and he’d nod off without making a fuss – but he’s up a couple of times a night at the moment. I think he’s more unsettled by the move/state of limbo we’re in at the moment than he seems.
Oops, drifting off topic! Back to camping, and beds. The one problem with camping (OK, one of the problems) is that the kids are often too excited to go to sleep, and it doesn’t help that they have to lie on a roll mat – which really isn’t all that different to just lying on the floor. Comfy it ain’t. (My son usually sleeps under the poptop, but sometimes he just won’t. Kids are contrary creatures aren’t they?) We were sent a toddler ReadyBed to test and I’ve got to say, it’s a brilliant solution. It consists of a blow-up mattress, pillow and cover and comes with a simple-to-use pump, which inflates the bed in minutes, plus a cover that can be easily removed for washing, and a carry case. It takes up no space when deflated, but once inflated, it never actually seems to deflate, unlike nearly every inflatable bed I’ve ever used before. (I usually wake up with my arse dragging against the ground. Like a baboon. Nice.)
The one we’ve got is a Gruffalo ReadyBed, which is even cooler. My son’s nuts about the Gruffalo, unsurprisingly, as it’s awesome.
The beds are sized at 18 months plus for toddlers, then 4 plus for bigger kids. Apparently you can get adult ReadyBeds too – probably not Gruffalo ones though. Shame!
So for happy camping, I recommend. They’d be great for sleepovers too. Ah, sleeeeeeppppp……..
My first ReadyBed costs £36.99 – for stockist details call 0800 389 8591 or visit www.worldsapart.com
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