Most people who view this blog probably already have a family, but I came here to find out if the life I love -lots of hiking, backpacking, climbing, and skiing- is possible with children.  I know that I want children.  I know that I want to continue to do the activities that I love, that connect me to nature and simplicity.  Here's the difficulty...I don't have anyone around me who has children and also does the activities that I do.  I live in a community of soccer moms and football dads, where the TV and video games take up a lot of many families' time.  I often find myself having trouble relating to their lives, and then I begin to panic that I cannot continue the life that I love with children.

So, I have read your stories and tips...and they have given me much inspiration and courage.  Thank you for showing me the life that I knew was possible.  I look forward to many great adventures with children in the near future...we're hoping to get pregnant soon!

I have a couple questions though:

1) Is there anyone out there who can talk about continuing to sport climb when you have a baby or toddler?  I imagine that leaving baby behind with a babysitter is the best option.  And I have heard some people say that if you climb with another couple, then two can always be on the ground playing with baby(ies)...like in a Pack & Play or something?  I just would love to hear the basic logistics of sport climbing with baby/toddler.  Is it an idiot idea?!  I really don't know...

2) Does anyone know of an outdoor community in the Seattle area for families or women with children?  This seems like a critical point -hooking up with other outdoor families- from reading other peoples' posts.  Given that my husband and I have not managed to make this happen as a couple (in 8 years time), I am predicting it will be even more difficult with children.  Most people we know look at us like we're crazy when we talk about our weekend adventures, and I'm sure they will even further question our sanity if we say we had children in tow.  It seems like major outdoor hub cities have an outdoor community, a way of connecting with other like-minded folks.  I'm just not finding it here in Seattle...the Mountaineers appears to be our only offering, and it is 90% single males.

Thanks again for the inspiration and courage...even if we don't find other peeps around here, it helps just to be connected to all of you via the internet, hearing your tales and tips about an outdoor life with kids!

Children bring another dimension to outdoor exploration. That is why it is healthy to take time away from your children to just go explore on your own.   I believe that relationships grow stronger in the outdoors. Erik and I are fortunate enough to live in a place where the choices of outdoor activities are endless.  We also have great babysitters that are willing to watch our daughter for a few hours.

With enlisted babysitting help we were been able to go white water canoeing three times this summer and raft once.  Being able to do activities that shaped your marriage before children can help you reconnect to your spouse.  Erik is an experienced canoeist and it is great to sit in the bow and feel how attuned and powerful he can be.   I love to hear him guide me through different strokes and explain river features.  Some people may read this as corny or that I am giving up power.  In other parts of the relationship I call the shots and I am the expert.  This is Erik’s time to shine and to remind me of the man I met 8 years ago.  Being parents can sometimes make you forget who you were as individuals or as a couple before children.

Another point that I want to make is that it is as important to reconnect with your spouse as it is to do activities with friends.   This summer we went rafting with friends down class III-IV rapids.  It is a great way to re-connect with friends and to remind us that life is not only about the family – it is also about relationships with others as well.  Outdoor activities offer a great way to get to know people and to create a feeling teamwork.  On this specific rafting trip we were accompanied by a couple (other teachers at the school) we did not know very well, a teenager from my husband’s school and two friends from Canada.  Since the teenager was the most advanced rafter he took the lead and enabled us to create a very good team.  When the river run was finished, some decided to kayak the same stretch of river. Others, including myself, watched from the path along the water.  Since only our teenaged guide was familiar with the stretch of river and the ability levels of the different paddlers varied, he took the lead in making sure everyone stayed safe. It is great to see a teenager take on such role.  We so often see teenagers playing x-box and shuffling along, and making poor decisions. It is great to see that people can reverse roles when necessary.  This trip enabled everyone to help each other and get to know each other more quickly than if we had went on ten dinner dates.  At one point one of the kayakers flipped and everybody needed to help – from shore and on the river.

Even if you are a single parent it is important for you to take time and do outdoor activities on your own. I like to go on bike rides and go fast.  I don’t have to worry about my daughter’s Chariot weight in the back, her happiness, or about keeping pace with Erik.  I just know that she is safe with Erik or a babysitter.  It is important to take care of yourself physically and spiritually.  I feel like the outdoors provides those avenues for me. The outdoors is a place that should also be experienced alone.

Other ideas of activities to do for yourself: Visit friends, go back to visit your college town or the city where you lived before kids, go to a coffee shop, travel to another country you always wanted to visit or even a nearby town.

Heidi

We took our 5 1/2 month old Anna to the Hotsprings in Ridgway on a nice sunny day.  We just got some Cabanalife sun protective clothing with SPF 50 and what a great find!  We didn't need to slather as much sunscreen on her head because the hat was the sun protection- and how cute!  She had a blast splashing away for over an hour.  I highly recommend the hotsprings for babies.  The water is warm enough for them to really relax and have fun.  Body temp is best - 98 degrees.  As the weather gets cooler we plan on splashing around the indoor pool at Ridgway for more winter fun.  Her sun hat also does well on hikes and washes up great, keeps its shape and color.

For those of you who are getting used to my writing and to my reasons for running this site, it will not come to you as a surprised that I like gear that can be used for a number of different purposes.

This is where Mountain Sprouts Base Set comes in to further make my point.  Gear for children that can be used for many different activities, in different seasons, for long periods of time and then passed down is always a good thing. A good thing for the planet, a good thing for your wallet and a good thing that teaches that life is about fun but not getting more material stuff.

Mountain Sprouts base set can be purchased for $40. Click on this link to purchase a base set in Cranberry, Indigo or Canary: Mountain Sprouts

This long underwear-like, top and bottom set is made here in the US by a Colorado company.  It is made of a stretch silk-synthetic that is moisture wicking, breathable, UV 50+protection, stain resistant and comes with a multi-generation guarantee.

My daughter has used her base set at the outdoor swimming pool (as a bathing suit with sun protection) and as a bottom layer on cold hikes.  In every situation the base set is the perfect clothing and it holds up to chlorine, abrasion, and stains.  My daughter is always protected from the elements, and therefore happy.

Heidi

Remember a winner will receive a fifty dollar gift certificate for Mountain Sprouts.  All you need to do is share a story, tip, trick, question on this website and one winner will be selected by October 31^st.

Leslie's boutique offers a variety of cloth diapers and accessories, but the product that caught my eye was there designer wet bags.  These bags look great and don't scream out dirty diaper or even parent with child in tow.

The bag that I tried out held ten dirty cloth diapers and had a handy little aromatic oil cloth to help with the smell.  When the bag was zipped it never leaked or any smell escaped.

For nine dollars ($9) these bags are a great bargain, since they can be used for a variety of different uses:  store dirty shoes in a suitcase, for wet cloth or for bathing suites after a long day at the beach or pool.  Leslie's boutique offers smaller versions of these bags for snacks or for a short outdoor excursion.

I want to emphasis that these bags are so great for a variety of different uses.  It will grow with the needs of your children.  This is a great bag for wet children clothes, swimsuits or dirty shoes.

To purchase one of these great wet bags visit: Leslie's boutique

Heidi

Every year for the past 8 years, we've gotten together for a canoe trip in North Western Ontario.  We make a standing camp and go out exploring from there.  Last year we found a hidden gem - a small waterfall which was just the right size for lounging in.  We've just learned by doing over the past years.  I'm glad to have discovered this website to learn from others as well.

I tested out the 12 cm container which holds 3 cups of food.  The bowl was completely airtight.  I stored the soup I did not finish that I cooked on a backpacking stove inside my pack and I never got a messy leak.  I was on a whitewater canoe trip and this bowl came very handy.  I like to try to keep my gear to a minimum and this bowl does the trick.  Also, for thirteen bucks it really is economical as outdoor gear gets.  I was easy to wash and did not get too dirty when cooking on our little stove. 

I love gear that I can use outdoors and also at home ( spend less $ on consumer goods).  This container is great to store snacks for little trips around town.  It can easily carry yogurt.   My daughter likes to store her snack in the container and close the three little clasps.  When she is done I can through it in my bag with no mess even if it flips upside down  or I am riding my bike.

 They are available in four convenient sizes: 14 cm, 12 cm, 10 cm and 8 cm diameter. They are made of high grade stainless steel #304. Easy to clean, the bottom part can be washed in the dishwasher.

Another great reason to buy this container is that you will be purchasing less plastic and storing your food in a more healthy environment.   Outdoor travel is surrounded by plastic and I am making it a point to feature products that reduce our use of this toxic material.

To purchase this great product click on this link:  Life without plastic

Life without Plastic is a web-based company based out of Canada and run by a family.  They offer many other products that I would love to get my hands on.

Maybe these little bowls will become the Sigg version of food containers, can you imagine them in different colors and designs. Hey, maybe I should get royalty on that.  For now, you can take a marker and write on the container to identify the content or the user.  Useful, if you are traveling with a few little ones and you are digging through your pack for your picky toddlers bowl of snack and not your leftovers.

www.lifewithoutplastic.com

Heidi

I was asked to shed some light on how to travel in the outdoors while using cloth diapers.  I have talked to friends, read some other websites and books, and compiled what I could into this entry.

My family uses cloth diapers.  If you are a frequent reader of my blogs you will know that my daughter came along on a weekend car camping trip when she was two weeks old.  The cloth diapers came along.  Our system?  We had none.  I would remove the diaper put it in a plastic bag that I had brought to pick up my dog’s poop and keep it in the tent.  Sound appetizing? Think it smelled good?  I don’t recommend either one of these methods. We used disposable wipes and threw those in the mix. It was wonderful to pull them out when we got to back home after four days!

Here’s what I’ve learned about cloth diapering since then:

·         Come up with a system that works for you.

·         Many families do cloth at home but bring disposables when they are on long outdoor trips.  This has its advantages and disadvantages.  Disposable diapers get bigger and heavier.  You also need many of them.  Carrying them with you will add weight and take up space.  It is my guess that this is a great way to teach someone about the ill effects of diapers on the environment.

·         If you only bring cloth diapers you can bring only the amount you need for one day. At the end of the day you can rinse and clean them out, dry them by the fire, and start again.  The disadvantage is that you have to clean them. Depending on how sanitary conscious you are this can be a challenge.  You may need to boil water and have biodegradable soap like (Dr. Bronner’s), then you need more water to rinse them.  In the desert if you are packing in your own water this can be very demanding.  Some folks opt only to clean the poop diapers and just dry out the pee diapers.

·         You also need to make sure your hands are disinfected and that you dispose of the dirty water appropriately. It is not o.k. to rinse the diapers in a lake, pond, river, or ocean.  The same goes with the wash water - it needs to be disposed of in the way recommended for the terrain you are traveling in.

·         Remember:  You need to dispose of a child’s poop the same way that you would an adult’s.  Depending on where you find yourself it may mean digging a cat hole, smearing, or having a container for it.  This goes for both cloth and disposables.  Even when you are home you are supposed to put poop from disposables in the toilet. You are not supposed to send poop to landfills.

·         I am just starting to learn the wonders of using cloth wipes instead of disposable wipes.  They actually wipe better then disposables and are definitely more ecologically sustainable.  They are so easy to use and are not noticed in your wash if you already use cloth diapers.  They are great on hike days too because when you have a diaper to change you can easily add the cloth wipe to a designated ziplock and be on your way. If you have the disposable kind you need to add them to your garbage weight and then use more and more.  The cloth kind can be cleaned with minimum water and used again.

·         Drying cloth diapers can be entertaining.  Hang them from your pack while you walk, or from tree branches to decorate your camp, or around the fire place.

·         Disposable diapers have a great advantage in that they hold more pee and wick it away from your child. If you are on a hike and your child falls asleep you don’t have to worry about the diaper as much as with cloth. You can keep going until you find a place to stop. This way you may be able to put more miles in before the diaper leaks onto the limited amount of clothing you bring on a camping trip.

·         If you are car camping bring a large plastic tub (Rubbermaid or other) or even ammo can with a lid. Place some Tea Tree oil or other odor distracter and add your diapers to this pail. Make sure it is a tight fitting lid that your child will not open or your dog visit. Make sure to lock it in the car at night and not in your tent so that critters don’t come to investigate.  This advice can be used for rafting, canoe or kayaking trips as well.

·         If you decide to bring cloth in the field think of purchasing a wet bag to keep your diapers from affecting the rest of your gear. The bag is plastic coated and durable, so it will not rip under most circumstances. It is easily rinsed out and reused over and over again.  I would also bring along some sturdy zip locks to put really dirty diapers inside the bag. This way the smell does not take over and then you can clean it when needed. You can reuse the zip lock and throw it out when you get home.

·         I think if you decide to bring cloth you should go with cloth wipes as well.  Bringing Tea tree oil can be good to because it acts as a disinfectant as well.

·         If you decide to bring disposables, think also of bringing cloth wipes.

·         Most people bring disposables (diapers and wipes) if they are traveling by airplane.  Some decide to pack there cloth diapers in there suitcase and then use them at their destination.  You need to have a plan and know that whomever you are visiting will be into you using their washing machine to wash your child’s poopy diapers.  If you are going to a hotel you need to make sure the sink is large enough to accommodate your washing and that you have appropriate soap.  Some countries may not have the soap your child is used to.

·         An advantage of disposable is that you can leave home without all the necessary amounts and always purchase more when you are on a car trip or other kind of city trip. The disadvantage with bringing them on an outdoor trip is that if you are out of disposables you are stuck. With cloth you can always clean them.

·         The disadvantage of cloth is that you have to be very organized and have a system. If you forget a part of your system you may have a wet baby.

Here are some great resources:

Before going out make sure to read up about poop disposal:

http://www.lnt.org

Links to websites that have good information about cloth diapers:

http://www.mothering.com/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/care-and-dressing/diapers/cloth-diapers-4-07/overview/0704_cloth-diapers_ov.htm

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/5-diap/45-diaper-cost.htm

http://www.greenandcleanmom.org/

Cloth diaper brands:

http://www.cottonbabies.com

http://www.lesliesboutique.com

http://www.fuzzibunz.com

Heidi Ahrens

For our daughter Éloïse (4) who has hypotonia (low muscle tone), swimming is a very challenging activity as it solicits numerous muscles throughout her entire body. Although she has physical challenges, she is full of energy and wants to do as every other kid her age. She certainly realizes that she has the ability of doing whatever she desires, however, it may take longer to reach her goals.

So on a wonderful summer day, we decided to head to beautiful Lac Saint-Pierre in Val-des-Mont Québec where we spent the day with family members. We knew this was the perfect time to give it another try (our previous attempts in putting Éloïse in water had resulted in tantrums as she has come to realize how challenging swimming could be and had developed a fear of water). But that day, our goal was not to see her get wet, it was simply to give her the opportunity to overcome her fear. For the first two hours, she walked in shallow waters, not even getting her knees wet. Staring at her cousins, we could tell she so much wanted to join them. By dinner time, she surprised us and said she was ready and wanted to go in the water with daddy. So we put her life jacket on and for the first time since the age of 11 months, she was in the water up to her shoulders. To see the sparkles in her eyes as she got further from the dock was so rewarding.

As parents, we should never force our kids to go in the water if they do not feel comfortable doing so. This could generate a real water phobia. Rather, we should try to understand their fear, encourage them, and let them go at their own pace. With this experience and many more before that, our daughter has taught us to never give up and be patient. By adapting outdoor (and indoor) activities to our kids needs, we as parents help them reach their full potential.

Living in the Roaring fork valley is an absolute joy.  Here is a list of some of the activities we do together:

Bike:  We bike mostly everywhere we go from visiting friends to going to the pool.  We also go on bike rides on the amazing bike path, we go to Basalt, Glenwood Springs and in a few weeks we will attempt Aspen.

Hike:  We go on short 2-3 hour hikes.  Cora often walks a portion of the way stopping to look at Juniper Bushes, Sage, cactus, flowers, grass, and pine (the flora she can identify).

Walk:  Erik, Cora and I walk out our front door and wonder around following our own desire to see what is around. Cora stops often to look at pebbles or to climb on rocks.

Swim: We are so lucky to have a pool in our town. It is only open during the summer but we take great advantage of it. Cora loves the water.  We practice swimming in the big pool. She kicks, goes under water, picks up toys, jumps in and makes bubbles. After, that we go to the toddler pool and there she plays with friends and practices floating.

Park: A simple activity that makes all of us happy on a work filled day.  Cora gets to play, climb, and slide, while we don’t have to do much of the entertaining.

Fish hatchery:  We have a fish hatchery run by the Colorado State department of wildlife.  Here we love to go feed the fish and watch them flip around and splash us.

Rodeo: Every Thursday night the town of Carbondale has a rodeo.  To celebrate on of Coralie’s friends birthday we went to this event.  It is a lot of fun.  People park their trucks days before hand to save a prime viewing spot. People barbeque, talk with friends and watch the show. We had a great view of the behind the scene action as well as the major events. We could see the nervous rituals cowboys would do before mounting the bull or the movement of the animals in the back stage corals.  I preferred the barrel raising, Coralie loved to see the five year olds fall off during mutton riding. Erik liked the bull riding.

Picnic:  This year we are very short on money, so we pack a lunch for most of the activities we do.  It is fun to eat simple food outside.  Whenever we are hungry we just sit down in the shade and take our time enjoying each other’s company.  I like to eat in this way, you tend to eat less and enjoy the food more.  We also take longer to eat and relax.

Farm animals:  We visit the pigs, horses and chickens that live on the property were we live. Many farms are open for visitors.

Heidi

As featured  on the Sierra Club’s website at http://sierraclub.typepad.com/scrapbook/

07/03/2008

"So you've adjusted your fun-in-the-sun routine to include slathering yourself in a protective layer of sunscreen.

But wait: New research has put a few chinks in that armor. Some clinical studies suggest sunscreens do not prevent basal-cell carcinoma and may not reduce the risk of developing the rarer, but more deadly, skin cancer melanoma.

Worse yet, the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit consumer watchdog agency, found in a 2007 study of nearly 1,100 sunscreens that 87 percent either don't adequately protect you from the sun or have ingredients with significant safety concerns.

Short of spending your life in a darkened room like some character in a Tennessee Williams tale, is it possible to enjoy your summer days without fear of cancer or harmful sunscreen ingredients? Sure, if you keep the following tips in mind."  from article

Here is the link to the article:

A friend of ours from Grand Junction came up with his raft to lead the trip.  It was such an enjoyable time.  We got to paddle, get wet and enjoy each other’s company.  I used to see my father, Marika (his wife) and my two brothers at least four times a year. Now that we live in Colorado we are lucky to see each other once a year. A mellow river trip is a great place to catch up and get used to each other again. Since we were not on a commercial trip, we did not have to follow commands from a stranger or sit with people we didn’t know and we did not have to wear matching rain coats.  We stopped to look at Canadian geese, bald eagles, blue herons and fancy houses.  We talked about the behavior of the geese screeching and flying in front of us to distract us from their eggs in the brush on the side of the river. My brother could never have learned this from a book.

I think that this trip was a completely perfect fit for everyone involved in the trip. We hit some exciting rapids but they were spaced out and we could enjoy the environment in between.  I think that my brother and father are now ready for bigger water. Next time they come we can do Shoshony.

I am so excited to share my love of the outdoors with my brother Nicholas. He is capable of experiencing the beauty of nature and the possibilities that arise out of pushing your body physically. He is  nine years old and he does not have to have a large outdoor skill set but he is willing to learn and follow directions.  It is a matter of trust within a relationship that enables a person to feel safe and confident in situations you find yourself in nature.  Because of the different occasions we have had to do outdoor sports with Nicholas (bouldering, rafting, hiking, etc), I think I may have excited him about continuing to pursue outdoor sports.  He is talking about attending Colorado Rocky Mountain School but that is still a long time away.

I think that the outdoor world is a wonderful classroom for families.

I can’t wait for my older brother Tristan to feel confident enough to embark on that journey with me.  But it is an entirely different ballgame since he is now a teenager.

I would love to read tips from parents on how to motivate teenagers in wanting to step outside that comfort zone and spend time with their families.

Heidi