How to Snowshoe Bonus: Lessons We've Learned to Help Make Our Family Snowshoeing Trips Successful
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As parents, we all know how much our attitude shapes our children’s attitudes. Showing up with the “right” attitude cannot only make the difference on whether an outing is enjoyable or not, but it also establishes the habits and patterns that our kids emulate… for good or for bad. So, we need to make sure that - when the elements are challenging both our kids’, and our own parental attitudes - we find and use the right levers to meet all these disparate needs belonging to all these different people.
The first law of caregiving is to take care of yourself enough to be of service to others. Finding that balance could be described as the great challenge of parenting, in a nutshell, but that push-pull only gets accentuated when everyone is wrestling with being out in the cold and pushing their bodies.
Like most things, attitude seems to determine a lot. Yes, we can and should make sure we are equipped correctly. But we can do a lot with mediocre equipment as long as we set the right expectations, have the right level of adaptability, and keep our eye on “the prize” (in this case, providing enriching experiences for our kids and the whole family).
Yes, there were a number of pieces of equipment we mentioned in the video. Besides the call for having the right clothing, which we covered in an earlier video, you can find links to some of the more esoteric items we mentioned here:
But, I think, far more important than having the right equipment is trying to build the right mentality. If I spend long enough out in the cold and unprepared or making mistakes, the winter outdoors can be viewed as hostile. It’s true that I can get really uncomfortable fairly easy. But, I find that if I a) accept that I’m going to get a bit uncomfortable, b) take it upon myself to manage my own discomfort when it becomes necessary, and c) find joy in the heightened sense of awareness that comes with brisk climates, it all becomes pretty rewarding - not “hostile” at all.
Maybe most importantly (and maybe this is a bit of a subtle point, but I will do my best), the fact that I’m in an environment where I or the kids can more easily become uncomfortable pushes me to be more attuned to myself and the kids. I get really conscious about my parenting - making sure that the kids are okay and making sure that I’m okay to take care of the kids. I think it’s pretty good for me to be in such a conscious parenting state, as it is a little to easy for me to not be over the course of - say - a standard work day. I like it when I’m purposeful. I like having to be really tuned into my body. I really like being tuned into my kids.
So, we go out. We remember why we are there. We make mistakes. But we have far more fun than discomfort.