Search Results for: blog how to hike with small children

How to Hike with Small Children

Since I got several messages about hiking with the family, I thought I’d offer some easy guidelines for hiking with small children. People wanted to know how I managed. When I say “hiking” I’m not talking doing the Appalachian Trail or anything. I admire people who backpack with their small children. Before kids, I thought I’d be one of those people. But like a lot of things, once I had the children I realized the before-kids-me didn’t have a clue. The reality of diapers and being hours away from medical help stopped those idealistic dreams. I had enough trouble getting … Continue reading →

Preventing West Nile Virus

Every day we are faced with the challenge of protecting our homes and families from pests. Every year I battle ants, spiders and bees. Right now, it is prime mosquito season here in Utah. We are luckier than most places because it’s such a dry climate but that doesn’t mean we are immune. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus so it’s important to protect your family. In most cases the infection is mild, but one in five people develop severe symptoms. Most of us take the usual precautions. Bug spray, citronella candles outside, wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants … Continue reading →

Go On a Nature Walk

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The weather is starting to become warmer, and Spring is nearly here. This is a great time to take your children on a nature hike. They can learn a lot about the insects, plants, and animals that are located nearby. This is a great way to combat nature deficit disorder. Have you heard of nature deficit disorder? It isn’t a learning disability, or a physically heritable condition. It refers to the lack of experience with, and understanding of, the natural world. Years ago, it was normal for kids to spend hours playing outside. This gave children plenty of opportunity to … Continue reading →

New Series: Interview With A Real Home-Based Professional

For those of us that work from home (or those who dream about it) it is always good to hear about real home-based professionals. Not only is it great to know that we are not alone in the choices and challenges that we face every day, it is inspiring to see what others do for work and how they have been able to make working from home work for them. I am pleased to bring you the first of a series of interviews with successful home-based professionals. I hope that you enjoy learning about them as much as I do. … Continue reading →

So What is a Parent’s Job, Anyway?

Here’s where I get all ranty. If you’re not in the mood to listen to a rant, tune out right here. Ready? Go. My husband is back at school. He is a teacher. From all of the media outlets this time of year, I hear many murmurings about our education system. Most of what I hear is blame placed squarely on the curriculum, or often on teachers themselves. Our system is failing our children, they say. Everything from lack of budgeting skills to drugs is the part of the failure of the educational system and must be addressed by that … Continue reading →

Camping in the Yard

Like many small children, my daughter just loves camping. Like many tired parents, I am no fan of camping. It’s not that I don’t love nature. I do love nature. We hike a lot and we go to our cabin in the summer time. That’s all good. However, hiking involves minimal preparation time, and while our cabin involves a lot of packing, once we are there we can cook with ease and sleep in a bed. Our cabin does not involve epic amounts of packing over several days for a short trip, cooking that takes many times as long to … Continue reading →

Springtime Fun in the Great Outdoors

After two days of near 70-degree temps, reality hit, and our sleepy Wisconsin city got slammed with six inches of snow last week. Fortunately, the snow only stuck around for a couple days. Unfortunately, we got dumped on during my young daughter’s spring break from school. Despite the crazy weather pattern (a.k.a. spring in Wisconsin), we managed to salvage spring break with a few outdoor adventures that got my daughter itching for summer vacation. Spring has sprung in most states, and if you are looking for ways to take advantage of the seasonal temps with your kids, then consider the … Continue reading →

Getting to Know The Mei Tai or Asian Baby Carrier

I love mei tais. And at this my dad giggles madly, thinking that I’m talking about some sort of beverage. No, I’m talking about the Asian Baby Carrier, which is fabulous for back and front carries. It’s also very small and easy to pack around. Mei Tai carriers are similar to soft structured carriers like the Ergo or the Patapum. They just don’t have as many formal, clickable straps. In Asia, mothers have worn children from newborn to preschooler in mei tai carriers for hundreds of years. These carriers are so flexible that you can use them while you vacuum … Continue reading →

Affordable Outdoor Summer Fun For Kids

Whether you are at the beach, in the woods or at the park, having some structured activities for your kids to participate in always makes the day run a bit smoother. The following outdoor activities are simple and affordable. What’s more, they come in very handy when your child gets tired of exploring nature on his own. AT THE BEACH: Sand Obstacle Course Materials: Plastic shovel Stick Directions: Use the stick to draw a winding line in the sand (this is the path your child will follow). Use the shovel to dig ditches along the path for your child to … Continue reading →

Making Camping Fun for Kids

Confession time: I’ve never camped with my own child. To those who know me well, this is no major revelation given that I’ve only roughed it a grand total of four times in my entire life, and all of those trips took place while I was swinging single. What can I say? I’m not a big camper. Still, I don’t want to deprive my child of the opportunity to commune with nature, so this summer I’ve decided to pitch a tent with my preschooler (and others). The only problem: all my camping experiences came while I was in college when … Continue reading →