For Adventure Parents Raising Outdoorsy Kids
Photo courtesy of Janelle Hill
If you’re an outdoorsy person and a parent, you know that raising a kid can leave less time and energy for hobbies like hiking and climbing. With very young children, especially, the most immediate focus is establishing routines and adjusting to parenthood.
New Baby, New Routines
New Zealand mother Cirrus Tan knows this well. Before her child was born, she was an avid sport climber and boulderer. She has since transitioned to climbing mostly indoors. "Logistically, it's easier for me to have a few hours climbing or bouldering at the indoor gym rather than outdoors at the moment," said Cirrus.
Dr. Fred Campbell, a rock and ice climber, echoes this sentiment. "I would drive a bunch to go climbing, bouldering, or to the crag," said Fred. "Now, I've got time to get a run on here or there, often with baby."
Samantha Williams disagrees slightly. "To me, it was easier [then], especially compared to now," said Samantha, about getting outside with a baby. "Because at that age, they're attached to you…once she became a toddler, we had to adjust." She and her wife, Nyesha Davis, were married at a camp and continue to incorporate camping, hiking, and travel into their lives.
It Takes A Village
Having support during and after pregnancy can make it easier to keep up with outdoor activity. Dr. Favia Dubyk, a professional climber and physician, has managed to continue climbing in the few months since her child's birth via surrogacy. "My husband does most of the parenting because I work a lot," said Favia, "[...] He is the primary caregiver, and we have a nanny as well." She mentions that having that third person has made the journey a lot easier. Nyesha and Samantha also have a community they can rely on. "When I had her, I developed a calendar of support people," said Samantha. "I call her a community child."
However, this isn’t always possible. "We don't really have anyone who supports us with the kids," said Janelle Hill, a mother of three who enjoys camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, and surfing. She and her husband made the decision to include their children in outdoor activities as much as possible and from a young age.
Fred and his partner had family help early after their son's birth, but this is not a constant, as their families don't live nearby. "It's nice when we can get it," he said. "But we don't have it all the time."
Without consistent extra help, creative time usage is necessary. "My partner can watch our child while I go indoor bouldering or climbing," said Cirrus. "This usually happens two or three times a week for 2 hours each session."
“People don’t realize how resilient kids are and how much they will follow your lead and your mood. What I’ve learned through having our kids outdoors is how it helps reparent yourself and, for myself, to not be afraid to play and get dirty.”
Raising Outdoorsy Kids
Whether you introduce your kids to the outdoors early or later on, helping them form their own bond is part of the fun (and challenge)! Who said raising outdoorsy kids is easy?
"As soon as I can carry the baby to the crag, he's coming!" Favia exclaimed. "He's going to be a mountain-climbing, rock-climbing baby, all before he is one."
"We enjoy including our child with our passion and hobby and we hope one day she will want to take up climbing also,” added Cirrus.
Both Nyesha and Samantha grew up going to camps and hope that their daughter will be able to have that experience as well.
When returning to the outdoors after having a child, reassessing acceptable levels of risk is just part of the equation. This was something that Fred and his partner discussed before having their son. "There was an intentional decision to reel it back quite a bit and not put really myself in situations that were as dangerous,” said the experienced climber.
Others may have a different approach. "We've taken our kids in extreme weather and extreme situations," said Janelle. "It's something that we've been able to figure out together as a family."
The parental instinct to protect children from harm can create some hesitation with involving them in outdoor activities. Safety is essential, but so is allowing a child to learn, build skills and grow in confidence.
"People don't realize how resilient kids are and how much they will follow your lead and your mood," said Janelle. "What I've learned through having our kids outdoors is how it helps reparent yourself and, for myself, to not be afraid to play and get dirty." If that parental instinct stems from fear, it is important to address it so it doesn't impact family life. "I'm a big proponent of therapy," said Nyesha. "If someone is battling a fear of the outdoors, seek a specialist for that."
Adventure Parents
Spending time outdoors and starting a family can seem like they are at odds first, but it’s possible to maintain outdoor hobbies while also being an involved parent. Becoming a parent requires an adjustment period, and that may include scaling back or switching to outdoor activities that are more accessible or practical for your family. However, the important thing is to “go for it and be prepared to be flexible,” said Nyesha. Acceptance can be helpful too. "You have to accept it may be different than before, as you have your baby to worry about, too," Cirrus reflected. However, becoming a parent isn’t the time to sacrifice your need for outdoor play. For Favia, "[t]hings change, but I think it's important that you don't forget who you are and what you like in life, because it's easy to.”
For Fred, a lifelong athlete, the idea of change was different but welcome. "I had this identity as an athlete, but I do enjoy being a father," he added.
Parenthood is for life, and fostering a sense of curiosity and adventure in children yields a lifelong connection to family and the outdoors. "There's nothing like walking outside, being in the elements, connecting to the earth, and teaching your kids that there is life beyond concrete," said Samantha. It is a symbiotic relationship that is incredibly rewarding and can reconnect adults to parts of themselves lost to time. Janelle agreed, "While I'm here teaching them how to be outdoorsy, they're reminding me how to have fun."
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