http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/ Being outdoors isn't just a passion. It's a lifestyle. Thu, 16 May 2013 05:41:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7720 Amber Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:14:14 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7720 What a great post and great comments from some pretty inspiring ladies. I love the times I spend alone outside with my kids. I feel my relationship with them deepens each time I make the effort (and it's sometimes a lot of effort) to share the outdoors with them. What a great post and great comments from some pretty inspiring ladies. I love the times I spend alone outside with my kids. I feel my relationship with them deepens each time I make the effort (and it’s sometimes a lot of effort) to share the outdoors with them.

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7548 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:05:15 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7548 Meaghan - I hope it helped, and look at all these fabulous comments! When (not if) you get out on your adventure let me know how it goes!! It's gonna be great! Meaghan – I hope it helped, and look at all these fabulous comments! When (not if) you get out on your adventure let me know how it goes!! It’s gonna be great!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7547 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:03:39 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7547 Tiffany - Great suggestions! I always forget the simple things, but everything you mentioned is a great way to start. Thanks!! Tiffany – Great suggestions! I always forget the simple things, but everything you mentioned is a great way to start. Thanks!!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7546 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:02:02 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7546 Alyssa - Ya, I guess I could pre-plan better when my husband comes along. I just never do, which I guess explains why getting out the door with 2 parents usually seems more stressful... :) Alyssa – Ya, I guess I could pre-plan better when my husband comes along. I just never do, which I guess explains why getting out the door with 2 parents usually seems more stressful… :)

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7545 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:00:35 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7545 Becky - I love it. :) Becky – I love it. :)

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7544 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:56:35 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7544 Tanya - I agree, brining along a friend is a great way to go. If anything, other kids keep my kids motivated to keep going on the trail far better than I can! Thanks for the comment! Tanya – I agree, brining along a friend is a great way to go. If anything, other kids keep my kids motivated to keep going on the trail far better than I can! Thanks for the comment!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7543 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:54:39 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7543 Lia - Thanks! I had no idea you were a single Mom. You amaze me even more! Lia – Thanks! I had no idea you were a single Mom. You amaze me even more!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7542 Lindsey Fri, 21 Sep 2012 02:53:12 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7542 Haley - Thanks for the input, I love it! I was never a planner until I had kids. It is essential! Haley – Thanks for the input, I love it! I was never a planner until I had kids. It is essential!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7488 Haley @ Climb Run Lift Mom Thu, 20 Sep 2012 04:38:23 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7488 Great post! As a single mom with outdoorsy tendencies I've had to master the great outdoors alone with children. It was scary at first. Our first night camping was a disaster, but looking back it made some great memories... I've only got 2 kids, so it may be a little easier, but I imagine the advice would carry over well. Like Lindsey said, put your older kiddos to work, they'll love it! Let them help pick the adventures. Wherever we go, we check out the area ahead of time and I let them pick out some of the places that interest them as our hiking destinations. And plan, plan, plan! The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, driving around looking for a campsite in the rain (true story)... Spontaneous trips may be fun with significant others or friends, but with the kiddos.... Not so much. The other major thing is to be flexible. Some days out are great, others are a flop, don't stress, just enjoy the fact that you got out at all. And lastly, if it's fun for them, they'll want to keep doing it. If they're tired, miserable, hungry, etc, they won't want to spend time outdoors anymore. Happy adventuring!!!! Great post! As a single mom with outdoorsy tendencies I’ve had to master the great outdoors alone with children. It was scary at first. Our first night camping was a disaster, but looking back it made some great memories… I’ve only got 2 kids, so it may be a little easier, but I imagine the advice would carry over well. Like Lindsey said, put your older kiddos to work, they’ll love it! Let them help pick the adventures. Wherever we go, we check out the area ahead of time and I let them pick out some of the places that interest them as our hiking destinations. And plan, plan, plan! The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, driving around looking for a campsite in the rain (true story)… Spontaneous trips may be fun with significant others or friends, but with the kiddos…. Not so much. The other major thing is to be flexible. Some days out are great, others are a flop, don’t stress, just enjoy the fact that you got out at all. And lastly, if it’s fun for them, they’ll want to keep doing it. If they’re tired, miserable, hungry, etc, they won’t want to spend time outdoors anymore. Happy adventuring!!!!

]]> http://outsidemom.com/2012/09/going-solo-in-the-great-outdoors-with-kids/#comment-7470 Lia Keller Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:38:33 +0000 http://outsidemom.com/?p=6213#comment-7470 Interesting. I am a single mother of two and never really thought about the differences. I know that I have to carry everything - kids and gear. I did get good at "striking" (pushing the stroller on crazy hikes and trails). Climbing is difficult and on hold for a bit as I think that needs another adult. I have never done these things with another, so I don't know any different (thank goodness!). Interesting. I am a single mother of two and never really thought about the differences. I know that I have to carry everything – kids and gear. I did get good at “striking” (pushing the stroller on crazy hikes and trails). Climbing is difficult and on hold for a bit as I think that needs another adult. I have never done these things with another, so I don’t know any different (thank goodness!).

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