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ad·ven·ture/adˈvenCHər/
Let’s face it: Mom’s get a bad rep in the outdoor world. They’re the ones stereotyped as always erring on the side of caution and telling their children what not to do. Not that being safe is a bad thing, but it often be difficult to let your adventurous self shine through while being a mom. Well, the time has come for that to change! Time for Mom to be the one that people think of when adventures pop into their head. Whether you’re into nature walks or extreme mountaineering, there’s always room to make yourself a more adventurous mother. Here’s how:
1. Define what adventure means for you. Every person is going to have a different view of adventure. For some it will be skiing a double black. Others will be hiking a nearby trail. And for some of us, just going to the park with all our kids in tow is adventurous (yes, we’ve all been there). Define what adventure means for YOU, not your husband, neighbor, or friends.
2. Set some realistic goals. Find what you like to do and set goals to push yourself just a little bit farther. Make sure that you post your goals somewhere that you can see them often. Yep, you’re much more likely to make them happen if they’re constantly staring you in the face!
3. Team up with other Moms. There’s nothing to get you motivated like a good friend. Finding another woman to team up with in your quest for adventure can help you to realistically push yourself and overcome the challenges in front of you. Yes, having someone else who shares that common bond of motherhood, with all its ups and downs, can really make things easier.
4. Dress the part. Lets face it ladies, we are what we wear. If you’re wearing something sexy, you’ll feel sexy. If you’re wearing something that makes you feel adventurous, you’ll act more adventurous. Get a few pieces of clothing that scream adventure to you and wear them often (think hiking boots, down jacket, cool hats, etc.). You’ll feel more adventurous almost instantly!
5. Just do it! Being a mom is hard work. Somehow we’re expected to cook, clean, work, and take care of our children, so being adventurous can easily be put on the back burner. My advice? Make it a priority. If you’re always waiting until everything else is done, it will never happen and neither will your adventures. Just get out there and do it! You’ll quickly find that your family won’t starve, your house is clean enough, and amazingly your children are happier and healthier when on adventures with you.
Recommended Products
Hi-Tec Timaru Down Hoodie – This jacket is truly amazing. It has 700-fill down insulation that will keep you nice and toasty. It’s warm – like, kept me toasty when it was 20 degrees and windy in Chicago kind of warm (yeah baby). It is easy to adjust with drawcords for both the hem and the hood, and offers a good fitted cut. The arms are also plenty long, with a medium having no problem with my 5’10” frame. It is also extremely packable, making it easy to take along on all your family adventures. The coolest part about it is that the fabric is transparent and the feathers are dyed different colors! Sounds goofy, but looks AWESOME! Okay, I lied – the coolest part is that it’s only $189, making it half the cost of most of the competition! Don’t be fooled by the low price – this jacket is extremely well made. Somehow when I’m wearing it I always think “yep, I’m nice and toasty, but I ‘m ready for anything. RIGHT. NOW.”
Wizbang Classic Lightweight Hat – This hat was made to be active. This hat is the perfect choice for active activities where you want to cover your head, but just want basic warmth and breathability without sweating. It took a while for me to get used to the fit (it’s not meant to cover the whole ear), but once I did, I really liked it. It did a surprisingly good job of staying put while out running without me having to constantly readjust it. Not a hat to choose for just standing around when it’s cold, but rather a great hat to choose for your active adventures (since you can never have too many hats).
Adventuress Skin Care Collection – Finally a skin care line made by active women, for active women. Adventuress skin care is designed to protect and rejuvenate skin from all of the harsh treatment that it undertakes while on adventures. I’ll be the first to admit that I really don’t take great care of my skin. I always thought that skin care was too high maintenance for me and skimped on it in my 20’s (and now 10 years later I’m wishing I hadn’t). Adventuress makes it easy to take care of all your skins needs with cleanser, purifier, moisturizer, and sunscreen all in one package. I loved how gentle it all is and after several weeks of use, my skin already feels so much better. The moisturizer and sunscreen offer good coverage without feeling heavy or greasy. These products made me see that adventures and healthy skin can finally work together.
Giveaway
One lucky adventurous Mom will win a Hi-Tec Timaru Down Hoodie, Wizbang Classic Lightweight Hat, and an Adventuress Skincare Intro Collection set – LUCKY!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks to Hi-Tec, Wizbang, and Adventuress for supplying products for this review.
My biggest challenge to going on adventures (right now, at least) is a really heavy, not quite independently mobile child who doesn’t follow directions – at all. That limits us to short jogging stroller-accessible hikes. That will change by summer, though! Thank goodness no phases last forever!
Getting away from the kids!
My biggest challenge is the age my son is currently at. Not old enough to fully participate in many of the adventures we’d like to do, but too big to carry.
My biggest challenge is getting our grown up kids to come and play!
Hey Jess – I am having a hard time entering the raffle. I leave a comment and then click on “I commented” and then it says “Aw shucks . . . .we didn’t get your entry, PLZ try again.
Time. I am a single mother and it is hard to scrape out time to be the adventurous woman I used to be pre-kids!
Love the skincare products…such a great idea. I’m like you. Didn’t think about my skin…then I got skin cancer! Hats, sunscreen and good moisturizer are MUSTS! Thanks!
We have 5 kids from age 16 down to 2. It is hard to find adventures they will all love!
My biggest challenge is actually getting my husband to go on Adventures! His mom made any outdoor adventures miserable so he doesn’t want to go make his kids miserable. I am still trying to get him to broaden his horizons and see that hiking and camping can be fun!
I’m a mom to be, and I know the biggest challenge to me right now is feeling discouraged at times that I can’t be as active as I normally am. I know it’s all worth it though! I would love to win this prize package to help me get my booty into gear when this baby comes. 🙂
Motivation is my biggest problem. I’ll talk myself out of just about anything. Thank goodness for a partner who will drag me out there-I always have a blast once I’m out the door!
Our biggest difficulty the last few weeks has been that we’ve had colds and flu rotating through the house. However, it seems like we’re all on the mend so we’re hoping to get out for some fun adventures really soon.
Our budget. Trying to find places to go that are not too expensive.
Thanks!
My biggest challenge is finding the time. With 3 kids, a pre-schooler and 2 in elementary, it seems like there is always a kid activity cropping up…sports, educational activities, and more. Luckily my husband is on board with my need for outdoor adventures:)
I love most any adventure whether it’s skiing or canyoneering or rappelling but I’m also a little chicken. Most of the time when I do something new, I need a good friend or my kids to encourage me to ski that black diamond (or fill in the blank)!
I also agree that good gear always makes me feel more adventurous.
Thanks for the great post BTK
To mountain bike or ski- that is the question!
finding things they both can do!
I having 4 young kids I find it hard to just get out there and do it. Adventures bring unknown and with kids I find being prepared/ one step ahead of them and having a consistent routine helps make the days run smoothly. I have to remind myself that the challenges will probably come but experiencing those are good for both me and my kids.
My biggest challenge right now is our 2 month old (and having 4 kids in total). Fortunately my hubby is prepared to carry most of our gear and we’re still planning a family backpacking trip next summer!
Dealing with attitude problems amongst the kids…they want to go, but aren’t too helpful getting us out the door!
money and trying to find something both boys will enjoy they are six yrs apart
Biggest challenge is finding time on a regular weekday. We’re pretty good about family weekend getaways but i am terrible about doing on my own.
Would love this for my wife!
Getting everyone to agree to the same adventure! Usually, 2 kids want to bike, 1 wants to go to the skate park. Or, 2 want to ski, on wants to play pond hockey. Life is a constant series of negotiations!
Biggest challenge currently is finding time and energy. Also it’s stressful because the kids have to learn how to enjoy these outdoor activities so it requires a decent amount of patience and foresight. All of this being said, it’s so worthwhile and I am glad for the chance to raise adventurous kiddos!
Having a husband & kids and moving 10 times in 18 years has been quite an adventure for me! Thanks for the great ideas to make each day more of an adventure than it already is!
Thanks for the tip on the puffy jacket. This one is finally affordable.
Oops! My biggest challenge is finding the time when all of us can have an adventure together.
My biggest challenge is just getting out the door! It’s so hard to break away from life to have a life! 😉
My wife would say, motivating the rest of us to move our asses.
The biggest obstacle is achieving work life balance. I come home at night and love seeing my kids, but am really busy trying to wrap things up at work and make dinner.
The biggest obstacle is that I am not superman and can’t pack one in the backpack and one on my shoulders like dad. If only I had more arms or power or something. Or could fly…
Nice pics, p.s. 🙂
My biggest challenge to going on adventures as a mom? Is keeping up with my young adult children! We started our kids out very young exploring and sharing our love for the outdoors .. raising them in beautiful Michigan. Now that they are both young adults and going to college (Both in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) we have found that our biggest challenge is in keeping up with them! Lol 🙂 Our daughter has grown to be the most adrenaline junkie in the family. She loves all of the outdoors sports and activities .. XC, snowshoeing, hiking, camping, etc. Most recently she backpacked and camped 4 days along the Upper Peninsula shoreline starting at Pictured Rocks! She totally amazes and inspires US! :))
My single biggest challenge is motion sickness. Not my own, but that of my daughter and my sister. Both of these adventurous ladies happen to be my best friends. I suppose it takes that sort of unconditional love to withstand the number of times I’ve been puked on during a car/plane/boat ride with these two goons. What would I do without them?
My biggest challenge seems to be getting everyone in the same spot at the same time. So many different schedules, it drives me nuts!
My biggest challenge when going on adventures as a mom is packing enough snacks, jackets, change of socks, ect. I have 3 boys (6, 8 and 11) and they seem to be always hungry and love to explore which means getting dirty :).
My biggest challenge to getting out on adventures is just doing it! I often think of fun adventures to have like hiking a nearby trail, etc. but then I doubt myself saying; it will take to long to get ready, I could be getting something else done, will the kids whine, etc.
Our biggest challenge is getting our youngest cought up with his swimming skills. He’s on his way, but would love to spend more time out sea kyaking next summer.
Now that my kids are older the biggest challenge is coordinating everyone’s schedules so that we all have time together to do things.
Finding time for “us” on a vacation, by time we are done with the kids activities we are too tired to do anything else! lol
finding the time
I’m thankful my husband supports my desire for outdoor adventure, however, he’s the type who wants to go camping and sit by the fire whereas I’m the type who wants to go for an adventurous hike. I regularly go running and bring the toddler in a jogging stroller if I needed. I also scored a baby hiking carrier on a Craigslist trade. My biggest challenge is finding creative/affordable ways to get outdoors and include the whole family.
It’s hard to enjoy an adventure when I’m not prepared for my kids going outside. Then I just worry a lot.
Dressing the part is soooo true!
I think my biggest problem is motivation, especially to get the diaper bag stuff ready. OH, and is there a potty nearby?? haha.
enjoying it myself without worrying about the kids
My biggest challenge is not enough time in the day to do everything I want to do. I have so much going on, I run around all day long trying to cram everything in.
My biggest challenge is dealing with never ending fighting
My biggest challenge is feeling like I don’t have enough time. But like you said, I just need to go out and do it and everything else will fall into place… or not. But really what’s more important? I also didn’t grow up going on any adventures until in HS I joined the Outdoor Adventure Club, before we moved two years later. So I don’t really even think about what would be fun for kids. Another reason I LOVE your blog!!! :o)
all the “stuff” that has to come along with kids would be the biggest pain
My worse problem is always needing a restroom and also being a worry wart that my kids will hurt themselves.
The hardest part is being able to take time to go with my husband, since i need his help with all of the kids!!
making sure everyone is having a great time & sticking together!
Not yet a mom but it can be hard to coordinate busy schedules with my husband!
balancing vacation days between visits with grandparents, rest & relax time, and adventures!
I always want to be sure that my daughter is having fun too – not that I’m just dragging her along 😉
Trying to be really patient with my son so that he can learn the best way 🙂 Also making sure I always have plenty of snacks and knowing that once my son has hit his limit, it is time to change up the adventure
My biggest challenges are time and money. We have 6 kids so it can be hard to find adventures that aren’t too expensive.
My biggest challenge was just how much more stuff we have to lug to wherever we’re going!!
Spending the time to get everybody dressed properly and geared up.
My guy is still young and needs a lot of attention, so I hate to be away from him for too long, but don’t want to bring him along yet either.
As a single mom, the biggest challenge is getting time to adventure alone or with friends. I love taking my kids on adventures, but constantly scaling back to accomodate them can be frustrating. It’s nice to get that alone time so I can push myself and do other things I love that they may not be able to do yet.
My biggest challenge to going on adventures is my mommy brain–I imagine every horrid thing that could possibly go wrong and get super nervous. But my husband and kids are adventurous, so I am trying to make an effort to be more so.
getting a reliable sitter
I wish I had more time
My biggest challenge is finding something the whole family wants to do and will enjoy.
Keeping the kids from fighting!
All the extra stuff you need to carry and pack!
Subscribed 🙂
My biggest challenge is coming up with the money for adventures.
[email protected]
finding things everyone wants to do and that are in our budget
I subscribed to email updates under [email protected] and my FB name is Lynn Sorkowski
My biggest challenge to being an adventurous mom is I’m the biggest chicken (afraid of heights), and being overweight and not being able to keep up w/them.
Getting the kids to all like what we are doing
it’s tough to find time
My biggest challenge is trying to get my teenagers to agree to go and then for them to get along long enough to enjoy it.
Lack of time is my biggest challenge
My biggest challenge is just the annoyance of the extra stuff I have to bring for the kids.
My problem is time and emergy when I have time I have no emergy and oppisit
It’s hard to find the time for fun when there’s always so much to get done!
Energy! It’s a LOT more effort than it was when I was single!
My biggest hinderance is myself and stepping outside my comfort zone.
the energy to “gather” if I could just keep all the gear in one place and separated, it would be so much easier to just “grab and go” on and adventure!!
My biggest challenge is trying to get my six kids to agree on what to do!
Finding things to do with my two young children…both 5 and under. Can’t wait until they are a little older to mountain bike, etc!
my biggest challenge is not feeling guilty if i am able to leave my kids or having the energy to do fun things when my kids are there.
not sure, i will have to ask my wife, trying to win this for her
Either finding things I can do with everyone or finding things they can do while I’m gone. 🙂
Finding the time and energy
I would say have kids in different age ranges.
I think it is turning my brain off about all the details it takes to pull it together!
Keeping all the kids happy
My biggest challenge is finding childcare!!
Packing all the right stuff and getting out the door on time!
My biggest challenge is finding a babysitter who will be able to watch the kids all day when my husband and I would like to go on an all-day adventure. For now, it’s usually either one or the other one of us who gets to go…
I believe it’s being able to turn off the “Mom Worries” so I can enjoy the activities instead of being worried someone will get hurt or not have fun!
Breastfeeding on the go! I don’t like an audience haha
-Ashley Marie Morrissey
ashummz05(at)yahoo(dot)com
My biggest challenge is trying to pack for everyone’s different needs and not forget anything important.
making sure my kids are safe and having fun. Making sure they have their meds! We all love to be outdoors, we all love to be outdoors and go on adventures. I just need to remember everything!
keeping everyone in a good mood
Keeping the kids from fighting. They’re so close in age that it seems like that this moment (ages 2 and 4) that it’s all they want to do.
Organizing everything that needs to be brought along, in the car and in day packs! Knowing the right clothes for the weather is a bit of an issue also.
I love adventures, the biggest challenge is getting someone to watch the kids.
Having the energy to do it!
Energy and sometimes, finances.
budget and time and finding something everyone will enjoy are definitely the biggest challenges
My biggest challenge is making sure that we have everything we need for our adventure.
Finding the time!
My biggest challenge is making sure my kids are safe.
I’m a dad?
Dealing with tired, hungry, and cranky people.
definitely packing LIGHT! With 3 kids going on adventures is fun but the packing is an adventure in and of itself.
My biggest challenge is how young my son is, hes 18 months, and without being able to afford a babysitter its impossible to try to go climbing or anything too dangerous
Littlemamameow at gmail dot com
The kids! I have 2 teens, 1 hates adventure, and a preschooler.
My biggest challenge with going on adventures is being a worry wart. Sometimes i have a hard time relaxing and letting my kids be kids. it doesn’t stiop us from going on adventures, but it does make it a challenge at times!
I biggest challenge is encouraging the kids without showing my frustration.
Letting my kids enjoy the experience and not worrying of all the things that could happen!
My biggest worry is keeping them safe. they seem to think they are marvel comic book characters!
Making time for adventure
I am very girly and I’m terrified of critters and bugs!
My biggest challenge is bringing everything needed for the kids!!
Logistics, logistics, logistics. Who knew one little kiddo & a mom could need so much gear. Also, a willingness to plan in advance is a new necessity.
Making sure we have the right equipment and gear for what we want to do. Also time and energy. There always seems to be a shortage.
Sleep deprivation lol! 🙂
Right now it is money.
I have a hard time finding adventures that both of my kids will enjoy at the same time. They are 5 years apart and they enjoy different activities right now.
Finding the time and finding new places to explore
Budget and making sure the kids are having fun.
Money and what to do with the young kids.
Money and my health problems
Money, finding childcare, and having the guys include me
I have a go getter daughter that I want to hold back just a bit. She has no fear.
Travelling to a new great location to explore, money and someone to take care of the family while im gone
My biggest challenge is finding the time!!
The biggest thing is that someone always seems to need a snack or something to drink! I can’t carry our whole pantry with me!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
hard to get the kids to run in the same direction!
Balancing adventure with safety for kiddos.
Finding the time! And not being such a worry wort!
I have been married 26 years and can count on one hand how many times I have gone on an adventure without the family. I raised 3 children and completely loved doing adventurous activities with them. There is a 10 year break from the first 3 to the starting of our second 2. I can truly see how going on a “just me and the ladies” activity is so beneficial. You have inspired me to get out and do more both with my friends and definitely still with my husband and kiddo’s!! I love pretty much most outdoor activities.
It’s hard not worrying about everything.
My biggest challenge is remembering to bring things for me.
just try to keep track of all 4 kids, they seem to want to go in different directions all the time. lol
Finding things that the kids can enjoy too!
Having a “timeout” from kids
On more challenging adventures I generally worry about the kids. Once I settle down I’m ok.
So far, we’ve adventured without many problems. The only thing is remembering to bring everything!
I know a perfect mom for this 🙂
We’re down with down
biggest challenge I think is that I have fears of the unknown instead of just letting things happen!
Getting out of the house with all things needed. Once I’m out, I’m good to go! I would LOVE this gift for Christmas!
Worry
I get so tired so easily now…it’s hard to find the energy to stay adventurous. 🙂
My biggest challenge are my kids. I feel like i can’t do any fun activities with them when they are this young and money to buy all the gear to be able to do anything fun.
My biggest challenge is having kids from age 2 to age 12 and a couple in between and everybody can’t do the same things. We have started to enjoy bike riding as a whole family this year with the baby on the back of the bike.
I have trouble keeping my boys listening. Safety first! LOL
Making sure I have everything that we ALL will need!!!(HollyC) Thanks for the chance….
Definitely getting the husband mobile! LOL
[email protected]
My biggest challenge is that with three kids there is bound to be someone in our group who is not in the mood for an adventure. We often get out on the trail or to the water and find out that one of the kids feels sick, that someone has to go to the bathroom or that someone is cold and tired. Getting everyone on the same page for a family adventure definitely keeps me a very busy mom and calls for a good amount of luck.
Y biggest challenge is getting ready. It’s so much work gathering everything and everyone in order to go. Once we make it out, it’s great.
I just recieved my coat from the give away! Thank you so much! I love it too. It is extremely toasty warm and very light weight! I feel I can be very active in it without the cumbersome bulk to a regular winter coat. Thank you so much for the giveaway! Have a great holiday!
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