Hope you have a fantastic trip!! On our list of places to go “someday.” Let us know about the primary care situation, and how easy it would be to set up shop there ;)
I know the post was about hiking...but my very first childhood crush was Noah Wyle and honestly it wasn't until the last few weeks w/ The Pitt that I put many things in my life together. Also, he's still got it.
I also did not grow up in an outdoorsy family, and have had two exes that I could tell were sort of disappointed in my level of "outdoorsiness", which was, now looking back, a symptom of what was not working in the relationships bc 1) Who cares! 2) I grew up in an immigrant family and where my parents came from (Colombia in the 1960s and 70s) hiking was not a thing, for many reasons. Anyways, I found my own brand of outdoorsiness in adulthood, authentic to me, and sounds like you have too! Give me a slow hike with nice views, good company and good snacks. Hiking and comfort with the outdoors is such a privilege to offer kids, awesome that you can. New Zealand looks epic. Enjoy!
Bring more bandaids than you think you need. We were recently hiking with 5, 3, and 10m, and about 1 hour in, 3 of us had skinned knees! After a water rinse and copious bandaids, the kids wanted to keep going and had a great time!
Have the most amazing time, I am so excited for you! In the face of so much cruelty, we can't let them take away our joy. My daughter in the last few weeks is showing a lot of interest in exploring so hoping to take her on a little hike at a state family medicine meeting next weekend. Thanks for the tips!
Been hiking with our three boys {now 14, 16 and 17 years old} since they were babies. We started with infant carriers, then backpacks, then "hiking" by themselves. We usually went to a local bakery and would dole out bites of their favorite baked goods to get them to move a little faster. We upgraded to overnight hikes and tent camping maybe around the time the oldest was in 5th grade. My favorite hikes are when the boys go with hubby and I get to be home alone for the weekend! Have fun in New Zealand!!!
Our kids are 6 + 4. We often modify the hiker saying that “steps make miles” to “skittles make miles.” We dole them out liberally, sometimes (it feels like) every few steps. As a rule of thumb, from age 3ish-20ish, we estimate that without much training lots of folks can walk 1/2 their age in miles per day without too much struggle. Type 2 fun!
We are lucky enough to live next to a hiking trail (yes, people in LA not only walk but hike right here in the city!). When our kids were little, we had them make their own scavenger hunt on index cards. They would predict how many of each thing they would find (dogs, babies, poop bags, etc!) and check them off as we went. As they got older, we started doing more adventurous hikes in the area, and several have a waterfall at the end, always a great motivator/reward.
Have a great time in NZ. I've been once, and it was amazing.
Related, have you watched Deadloch? I think it’s only on Prime, unfortunately. It’s a comedy crime show based in New Zealand. I watched it after the last season of True Detective and loved it.
Clicked on this because of the headline! Mine are 6 and 4 and hope to do a lot of hiking with them in the next year. I like the idea of having them choose where we hike and starting small is a great idea.
Hope you have a fantastic trip!! On our list of places to go “someday.” Let us know about the primary care situation, and how easy it would be to set up shop there ;)
💯
My husband is a Kiwi and we've been there many times. Truly, it does not disappoint. Enjoy yourselves!!!
❤️
I know the post was about hiking...but my very first childhood crush was Noah Wyle and honestly it wasn't until the last few weeks w/ The Pitt that I put many things in my life together. Also, he's still got it.
I also did not grow up in an outdoorsy family, and have had two exes that I could tell were sort of disappointed in my level of "outdoorsiness", which was, now looking back, a symptom of what was not working in the relationships bc 1) Who cares! 2) I grew up in an immigrant family and where my parents came from (Colombia in the 1960s and 70s) hiking was not a thing, for many reasons. Anyways, I found my own brand of outdoorsiness in adulthood, authentic to me, and sounds like you have too! Give me a slow hike with nice views, good company and good snacks. Hiking and comfort with the outdoors is such a privilege to offer kids, awesome that you can. New Zealand looks epic. Enjoy!
❤️❤️❤️ love this perspective, Angela. Totally agree. Level of outdoorsiness is not a competition!
Also, everyone loves the Pitt, but I can't handle it…. Still too close to residency!
Bring more bandaids than you think you need. We were recently hiking with 5, 3, and 10m, and about 1 hour in, 3 of us had skinned knees! After a water rinse and copious bandaids, the kids wanted to keep going and had a great time!
Yesss MP. You have the greatest parenting wisdom. Bandaids are a psychological treatment as well as physical.
Have the most amazing time, I am so excited for you! In the face of so much cruelty, we can't let them take away our joy. My daughter in the last few weeks is showing a lot of interest in exploring so hoping to take her on a little hike at a state family medicine meeting next weekend. Thanks for the tips!
Yay!!!
Been hiking with our three boys {now 14, 16 and 17 years old} since they were babies. We started with infant carriers, then backpacks, then "hiking" by themselves. We usually went to a local bakery and would dole out bites of their favorite baked goods to get them to move a little faster. We upgraded to overnight hikes and tent camping maybe around the time the oldest was in 5th grade. My favorite hikes are when the boys go with hubby and I get to be home alone for the weekend! Have fun in New Zealand!!!
Thank you so much, Gretchen!!!! This is inspiring 😍
Our kids are 6 + 4. We often modify the hiker saying that “steps make miles” to “skittles make miles.” We dole them out liberally, sometimes (it feels like) every few steps. As a rule of thumb, from age 3ish-20ish, we estimate that without much training lots of folks can walk 1/2 their age in miles per day without too much struggle. Type 2 fun!
Hope you have a great trip!
Love this!!! Also,.Skittles are great treats for adults, too
For the whole family!
We are lucky enough to live next to a hiking trail (yes, people in LA not only walk but hike right here in the city!). When our kids were little, we had them make their own scavenger hunt on index cards. They would predict how many of each thing they would find (dogs, babies, poop bags, etc!) and check them off as we went. As they got older, we started doing more adventurous hikes in the area, and several have a waterfall at the end, always a great motivator/reward.
Have a great time in NZ. I've been once, and it was amazing.
Thanks so much, Oona!!! Will report back. <3
Related, have you watched Deadloch? I think it’s only on Prime, unfortunately. It’s a comedy crime show based in New Zealand. I watched it after the last season of True Detective and loved it.
No, but I appreciate the rec! I watched a few episodes of "The top of the lake" on Hulu -- Elizabeth Moss is in it. Gorgeous scenery.
Clicked on this because of the headline! Mine are 6 and 4 and hope to do a lot of hiking with them in the next year. I like the idea of having them choose where we hike and starting small is a great idea.
Yes - you can DEFINITELY hike with ages 6 and 4! Have fun :)