I took my toddler to the 18th Century - Living History Tips and Tricks for young families | I...

In this episode, I talk with my wife Paisley about our first family living history experience, what we learned and what we plan on doing to improve our impression and equipment for next time. Paisley and I have day-tripped to events since we were dating but things never lined up with work to become participants at an event, that all changed this year where we are planning on being out almost 10 weekends in 2024.
We aren't professionals by any means and we are still learning, but we wanted to share some of the planning we did to do our best to make sure we, and our toddler had a great time in the 18th century.
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Episode link: play.headliner...

[@jasondyer110]

Really nice conversation with your wife about your experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@TexProfVH]

I enjoyed the conversation and personal insights.

[@johnnymaddox6322]

The candle keeping the air dry is not worth the chance you have a twitch while asleep and some weird way accidentally knock the candle over it could very easily turn out catastrophic. I'm a firefighter and grew up with most my family either firefighters, emt's, and/or deputies and you are definitely 110% correct on not wanting to use a candle, it aint worth the 1% chance the catastrophe happens and someone gets hurt ot worse...

[@doctormax54]

You discuss a major/critical issue - sleeping arrangements. Anyone who goes camping with a family or alone, I highly recommend making sure that you have enough blankets. Not having plenty ruined the only time we went to an event about 25 years ago. We had gone as a couple more than once but with children, it was a disaster. The temperature dropped and the girls slept in the car. I have camped many times before and since and some with my son but after that I have made sure I have never been in this situation again. My mother sewed my lean-to 43 years ago and I used it for years but I got tired of crawling around looking for gear, dressing on my knees, and not having enough room. Now I have a wall tent which I can contain my gear. I recently gave up sleeping on the ground and used a 19th century bed frame to create a rope bed. Thanks to Chris of Seneca Creek Joinery. This past April, I slept better on my first night at the Fort Frederick Market Fair, than at any camping event ever. Also, I had two itchy wool blankets, one of which I cut a portion off to make a gun case, but I stitched the two together and made an oversized blanket and stitched a sheet inside at the bottom many years later. Not period correct but the versatility of this action enables me to be comfortable while sleeping in a variety of weather.

[@johnnymaddox6322]

Sleeping on the ground with maybe a thin pad or something to feel kinda how they did back then is understandable but I'd definitely brought the air mattress with the wife and lil one like you did. Glad yall had a good time. Me and my wife have talked about going and checking out some of the living history events.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Thanks Johnny, please do try an event sometime!

[@lyonforge3077]

Hey, Ethan. Awesome the family is getting involved too, i found that most events are learning times, and if you are really trying to get things in period, they'll overlook some of the stuff that is not correct and usually guide you in the right direction. We are all family at these events so the kids are like nieces and nephews.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Amen! It's a wonderful experience.

[@eddybear771]

I was talking with the wife after the earlier video, & she's all for getting out to an event next year to see how she likes it. Hopefully Her health will allow for it. I reckon I need to start building my supplies again. The difference between 12-13 years old 53-54 years old, I've kinda outgrown my rendezvous clothing. Lol

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

Time to start sewing! LOL, but really, I'm glad to hear you are thinking about getting out and trying it! The wife's health is crucial and plays a big role in how we plan as well.

[@eddybear771]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading indeed they do. Health 1st.

[@andrewryder70]

Do you have any recommendations on how to choose which era I want to portray? I don’t know if I want to portray an early long hunter, or a fur trapping mountain man. Any recommendations will help.

[@ILoveMuzzleloading]

I like to start with eras that the area I live in was common to. Where I live saw European activity from the early 1700s on that gives me a pretty wide variety. I look at what is popular reenactors in my region area and that what is common events in my region and area. I’m in a great area for living history so I have events again from the early 1700s and on focus on the late 1800s because of its popularity. There are other areas that I would like to portray but finances are limiting factor and then I can only have so much fun doing it on my own in the woods, so I’ve been prioritizing activities I can do with other people to expand the community. I’m involved with and learn more from those people. Hope that helps.

[@andrewryder70]

@@ILoveMuzzleloading I am starting to lean towards more early long hunter, as it seems there is a wider variety of both the clothing and the nationality to pick from. Also I am in love with the smoothbores. lol