Your "Princess and the Pea"

Do you remember the story of the Princess and the Pea; the fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson where the princess has a terrible night’s sleep due to one tiny pea under her huge stack of mattresses? When it comes to camping, your princess is not unlike the one in the fairy tale. You see, no matter how many sleeping pads you give her, the cold, hard, lumpy ground will keep her up all night.

Consider your options.
One: traditional sleeping pad (or multiple pads). This seems like a viable solution since you have a few sleeping pads laying around. And for your more adventurous princess, this may be fine. But for your average to very high maintenance princess this simply won’t due. See options two and three for more appealing solutions.

Two: Air Mattress. Let’s face it, this is camping at it’s finest. Air mattresses contour to the body the best which means princess will be comfortable sleeping on her back, front or side. Also, the 6” to 8” of rise removes any chance that princess will feel the hard, lumpy ground beneath. This is an affordable option not without a few limitations.

Consider the following. First, because it is filled with air, sleeping on top of the mattress can be quite cold. Always put a blanket between your princesses sleeping bag and the air mattress. Second, air mattresses are easily punctured. Therefore diligently clear debris from under the tent and put a couple layers of tarp between the air mattress and the ground. Third, because it is filled with air, princess will feel every toss and turn you make if you share a queen sized mattress. Don’t be surprised when she asks for her own mattress!

Three: Cot and foam pad(s). Though expensive and bulky princess may find this the most appealing option. First, the cot, bought from a camping supply store, provides a level, lump-free sleeping surface, gives princess someplace to sit and frees up valuable floor space allowing her to stow clothes and gear beneath. Second, the open celled foam pad(s), purchased from a sofa manufacturer, provides the most dependable cushioned comfort. Princess will most likely request a stack of two or three.

So, how do you decide which sleeping accommodations to invest in? If princess is unsure about the whole camping thing, start with the air mattress. It’s by far the most comfortable. Then, right about the time the air mattress gets a hole in it, princess will be a camping convert and it will be time to invest in a cot and foam pads. Sweet dreams!