You want your children to love to play outdoors, so you look for products that will keep them protected from the elements.  I really believe in the importance of having your children of any age play outdoors no matter the weather.  Maybe I am biased since I grew up in Canada and we didn't have school snow days. I remember walking two miles to my school in fifth grade with snow banks higher then two cars piled on top of each other.  I walked the sidewalk, but could not see over the banks.

Outside Baby has created a reversible down hooded jacket for children three months to 6 years.  As you know down is light and compactable so this jacket will be coming on any of our cold weather trips.  Cora does not sleep in a sleeping bag so this coat can act as her sleeping bag during the cold season.

The hood is removable but I am not sure why you would take it off.  Cora has worn the coat and uses the hood instead of a winter hat because it provides a tight seal from the outside cold.  Many people stop me on the street and say things like: “Wow, what a fancy coat for such a small person!”, but why not, Cora is comfortable and happy because of the great warmth and fit of this coat.  This coat repels water and has pockets which are essential for toddlers.  This is our Colorado winter coat.

Reversible Down Hooded Jacket

I also asked the same questions Heather did before I got pregnant.  My favorite sports are all the independent ones: kayaking, mountain biking, trad climbing, peak skiing or backcountry skiing and ice climbing.  My baby now is only 4 months.  I want to be honest to say that these sports are not possible with my baby.  I have to curb my expectations on getting out now.  I wish I would have realized it more.  I still grieve my easy, pre-baby life!  Life is indeed different however Much More purposeful.

Basically you can indeed 1) get babysitters ($$$$) or 2) take turns with your husband on days to climb or 3) find a friend who is willing to take turns sport climbing on easy approach climbs.

The super great news about your post is that your other sports: hiking, backpacking, and skiing (assuming downhill/lift skiing) are much more baby friendly! 

You can still continue to rock climb, but yes - you will have to search high & low for someone besides husband to climb with.  You  will have to climb and he watches baby and vice versa.  And if you decide to breastfeed, it adds a bit more challenge.  I bought a mini travel electric pump which I have used on the trail or route.  You can definately bring a baby/toddler/kid sport climbing and bring a third to take turns.  We brought our baby climbing with us while he slept in his car seat on the ground for one route sport pitches (using a GriGri). Now he sleeps less and prefers to be more interactive so at 4 months we can't do that anymore (not that it is summer). We do climb with a friend who has two 18 month twins. A pack and play will not contain them. Basically we choose easy approach sport routes and take turns chasing kids.

On a postive note, when I do go out to do the things I love - without the baby - I appreciate my time so much more and love my son even more when I get back. Too bad you don't live in colorado - we could take turns climbing.

Fall is fast approaching and for us families who are unwilling to hang up our hiking boots and close our door to exciting camping trips with our children, there is some great gear out there that will keep our children happy, warm and asking to head outdoors weekend after weekend.

This very light sleeping pad will not add much weight or take up too much space in your backpack.  They add comfort and warmth to your child’s sleeping arrangement.  If you bring this pad along you won’t feel like your offspring is adding a load to your outdoor experience.  Our daughter sleeps on her sleeping pad without a sleeping bag, which helps to control the weight of our packs.  She likes to help blow it up and push out the air in the morning when we roll it up. It keeps her busy and she will be able to use it throughout her life if we take good care of it.  We also bring our Thermarest along on cross-country  skiing or snowshoeing adventures to change the baby on the snow or to sit on while eating lunch.  They also pad the bottom of the sled very well.  A great investment for any family who is serious about continuing to explore the outdoors.

Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3 Sleeping Pad :  From the “Fast and Light” series by Cascade Designs®, these self-inflating pads are light and compact, designed for those backpacking long distances. Purchase a Short 51 x 119cm 2.5cm 2.3 27x9cm 0.370kg for $70 CAD.

 Hello Heather,

I don’t live in Seattle, so it is hard for me to give you specific advice. I have written to a few friends in the area and they may write advice for you here in the near future. I know that one person already wrote to you.

I did some research and I found these links about children friendly hikes in the Seattle area.  I hope they inspire you to pursue all of your dreams.  I feel like this website is ideal for you.  All the stories can give you a clear picture of how it is to share your love for the outdoors with children.

Hikes in Seattle – REI

Hikes in Seattle -  NW Source

Any outdoor store has a bulletin board.  I recommend that you look at them for mommy groups or maybe you should start your own.  Connect before you have children.  This helps a lot.  Here is a link to a group in Colorado,  Colorado Mountain Mamas, maybe they have information for you. I know that MEC in Canada has an on-line message board ( looking for partners, etc) , with family oriented postings, or at least gear for families.

As for Sport Climbing: I do boulder and encourage my two year old to indoor climb.   I have contacted an avid climber that will also reply to you soon and shed some light on your question. There are a few climbing posts on this website that you should read ( Shreya and Thank You).   A friend of mine is five months pregnant and still climbing strong. Anything is possible.

Here is a link to an article about climbing and children in the news:  Rock and Ice.

Also, Hiking Lite has has featured a few articles on backpacking light with children: Article 1 and Article 2.

Keep your eye out at nation publications that promote outdoor sports, maybe they have old articles or will publish some in the near future.

Good luck and don't forget to browse the site.  As you get closer to making a decision about adding another member to your family, you may find that gear reviews and advice on www.outdoorbaby.net will help you make wise choices.

Heidi

I recently wrote to ask how to keep our son Derek's feet warm and now that I have more time I can tell you all a little about our life with Derek.  My husband and I have always loved hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, skiing, mountain biking and generally being in the outdoors.  When we decided to have a baby, my husband was convinced it would all come to an abrupt halt and I did my best to convince him otherwise, so I knew when Derek arrived that it was up to me to make our outdoor lifestyle work with our baby.  Derek was born in October of 2007 and with winter approaching I knew the first few month would be tough, but we started with short hikes with Derek bundled up in the baby bjorn and he would sleep for almost the entire trip.  We took him to the ski lodges with our friends and everyone would take turns watching Derek so everyone could ski.  A note for the previous writer who doesn't have friends with kids; these were friends without kids, they just grew to love our son.  By March we were comfortable enough to take Derek on a short ski skin up a valley outside of Telluride and the highlight for the entire group was when Derek decided it was lunch time and the weather was moving in, so I moved the bjorn to the front, let Derek breast feed and snowplowed down the path back to town.  Normally I wouldn't recommend skiing with a baby, but I've been skiing since I was 2 and we went slowly, but made it back to town before the weather got real nasty. 

Since then we've hiked many miles and took Derek on a one night camping trip which went well minus Derek getting the flu and throwing up all over the tent...Thank goodness for dogs!  I slept with Derek in my sleeping bag, but I would recommend a different situation as I didn't get any sleep at all.  We've had to give up our mountain biking, but we've traded it for biking bike paths with the trailer in tow.  Not the same, but we are discovering new joys, like biking to a fun place for lunch or a playground where Derek can meet new kids.  We have a burley and have found it very tough to keep Derek comfortable with a helmet on, which is a must.  I know kids with skull fractures from accident where they weren't wearing helmets.  Our solution was to rig his carseat in the burley until he was around a year and now we put him in the burley with the boppy around him which allows room for the helmet.  We love our Deuter Kid Comfort II for hiking.  It is adjustable and my husband and I can switch it between us in seconds and it is as comfortable as our expensive backpacking packs.  Derek has always been happy in it as well.  It's a good idea to bring something soft to put around their face when they fall asleep so they don't get chaffed.  The only complaint I have is that I wish it had stirrups so Derek could stand up occasionally and get some better circulation in his legs, but I'm going to try to make some.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

As to the feet situation, I found some down booties in a thrift store and we put them over smart wool sock for a hike yesterday in 50 degree weather and his feet were super toasty!  And a remark to the writer who wants to have kids and keep her current life, you can do it, but you need to remember that it will not be the same.  Sacrifices will have to be made.  I can't speak to sport climbing, but we have continued to do the things we love, but at a slower pace and with more stops along the way which is not all bad.  Good luck and thanks for having this blog where we can share our stories.

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!

• We always bring her in a Kinder Shuttle that we pull behind us. This way she can stay warm under a down sleeping bag and the tent like cover.  She also is sitting next to a warm water bottle.  This has also been very effective for me. If I keep my core warm, I have fewer issues with my feet.  A dromedary bag could work if you strapped it to your backpack.

• . For feet to stay warm the rest of the body should be warm and dry.  Make sure your child is well dressed; Quality coat, hat, mitts, snow pants, etc.   We always put a neck gaiter on her as well.  Throughout the site there are reviews of different outdoor apparels, check them out and visit again because in the next few weeks I will have reviews for a few more coats.

• For her feet we have used different systems, but she always wears a pair of Smart Wool Socks with either Swedish moccasins ( can be found at Target or Hanna Andersson), or Uggs   These  keep her feet warm but if the snow is slightly wet it does not work.  We would often have this system when she was in the sled and then we would switch her to Toddler's Merrell Spirit Tibet Junior when she wanted to walk or try skiing. You could do this even when using the backpack, but it would be more cumbersome to carry extra boots.
• I also recommend that your child wear long underwear.
• We have just tried outToddler's Merrell Spirit Tibet Juniorsnow boots and my daughter was very happy with them. She has played in a mountain stream with the boots and in the snow with no complaints. They are also very good looking boots that can go with any kind of clothing during different activities. The boots are waterproof if your child does not go in the water over the top of the boot. My daughter did this but her feet stayed warm for at least one hour after her experiment.

• Frostbite happens so make sure to prepare.

• Make sure your child is well hydrated and fed.

Let me know how your adventures went and if I was helpful.

Heidi

Hi, we have been taking our son on outdoor adventures since he was a couple weeks old and without fail, his hands and feet are always cold, even if the weather is not that cold.  We live in Colorado and snow shoe season is approaching so I'd love to hear some advice from those who have already been there.  He is now a almost 13 months old and usually travels in his Deuter pack when we hike or snowshoe, but he will also need to be able to get down and play in the snow now that he can walk.  Thanks for any help that people have.

I am not an alpine skier, but I wanted to answer your question so I talked with professional ski instructor John  Smollen (also owner of Grana Bread Company ( I have to mention this because it is the best of the best)) who started teaching his two kids to ski at 18 months.  Both his sons are now 9 and 19 and are both top skiers.  John works on Aspen Mountain during the ski season.

Here are some of his thoughts or tips on skiing with a three year old:

1.       It has to be about your child having fun.

2.       Even if you get your child all ready and they don’t want to ski once they get to the hill, you should not force them.

3.       Getting on and off the chair lift is all about you.  You need to put them on and take them off. Three year olds are not very good multi taskers.  They can’t really think of gliding and standing up at the same time. This changes after age five.

Harness, or not, or other device:

4.       When teaching skiing, folks concentrate on the ‘how to slow down’ or ‘how to stop’, when skiing is really about going.  Once you know how to go, your turns, and stops flow naturally.  So:

5.       With a harness, you teach your child how to go but you are in control of the stopping.  This is good for your child if you think of the statement above, but then they also have less understanding of their personal limits and abilities.   They don’t really get the control part ( turn, stop, slow down). A harness also saves your back and makes the experience more enjoyable for a parent.  You can go on more difficult terrain and be less bored.

6.       Without a harness, you concentrate on teaching more about the stopping or experimenting.  It can be hard on your back and feel more tedious for the parent.  Your child learns more about their boundaries and can experiment more. What you really need is a large, bump free, angled area where your child can experiment.

7.       Teaching skiing to your kids should be approach like you would any other outdoor sport.

I hope it answers your question.

Heidi Ahrens  writing not from experience but with the advice of John Smollen

Probably like most of you snowaholics out there you want your kids to love snowsports as much as you do.  But how do you get her out there and make sure that she doesn't decide to never, ever put those boots on her feet again.  I have to admit, I'm a little afraid, that she'll hate skiing, or hate me for trying to teach her to ski, for even taking her on the mountain, or for making her wait for hot chocolate! 

My three year old daughter did the little rippers program at Mt Bachelor last season about 3 times before the season was over.  She did great. She actually learned to stop without falling, went potty when she needed to, and could get on and off the magic carpet like a pro.  The coach said that she was ready for the lift, but we decided to wait until this year before adding a chair lift into the mix. So we got the season lease for skis and boots at the Powerhouse (at the rate she has been growing the lease I think is the best way to go since she will probably outgrow her skis and boots by february), and she has been hanging out in them on the carpet in the living room almost once a day.  My plan is to get a couple of other moms and their kids together maybe once a week when the conditions are mild and get the kids up there.  Most of us can't afford to do a lesson for kids everytime, so we are trying to figure out the best way teach them some skills and safety while having fun.  I have been snowboarding for 15 years, but I think I may put skis back on this year, so at least we'll be doing the same sport.  We have invested in a  Lucky Bums  grip and guide harness which I think will prove invaluable, but does anyone out there have some sage advice for some moms getting ready to teach their kiddos to ski...some do's and don'ts would be great!  or even the best way to get a 36lb little kid on and off the lift.  Thanks!!

Many of the things I know about nature I have learned from my son, Stephan. Everything from how to really enjoy the outdoors (allowing myself to be surprised and engaged), to getting as much as I can from its healing powers. But the truth is, I wasn't always an outdoor person. This is just one of many gifts Stephan has presented me with since he came into my life. We try to get out as much as we can: we go biking, hiking, swimming. We go to the park or take little walks around the neighborhood. We throw rocks into the river, collect pretty leaves, stop to watch the birds, the flowers, the people in a hurry... and we stay outside for as long as we can, because that usually means a happier kiddo and a happier mommy. Nature helps us stay relaxed, focused and recharged. This winter we'll be sledding again and we'll try to make it to the local playground most days of the week, scraping the ice off the slides and building snow castles; and as time goes by and he continues to grow, going out provides us with more and more possibilities to have fun. My Stephan truly is an outdoor baby and I'll do anything and everything to support and encourage his love of nature. He eats better, sleeps better and conects better with us when he's been outside. And honestly, it doesn't get any better and easier than this: it's cheap therapy for me and a world of things to see and learn from for him... and all we have to do is open the door (literally) to the new adventures and experiences life has to offer.

Whatever the reason you have for venturing outside during the winter months, you know that as a parent you must be extra prepared so that your children will enjoy the experience.  That is why great gear which ensures that your children stay warm and dry is essential.

Good mittens for young children are hard to come by.  Mountain Sprouts offers their signature Mitts for thirty two dollars.  These mittens stay on with a draw string and are water proof.  They do not have a thumb so you don’t have to worry about sticking that digit in the tiny compartment. These mitts have a cuffs and gripping material on the palms

These mittens can be purchased at mountainsprouts.com

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.