Advice for a single dad

“I want to start taking my 3 year old out on trips...ADVICE?”

“Start slow, car camp a couple of times, never plan a trip to hike any further than you can carry your child and your pack, and always, always be in the teaching mode.”

“I guess I could do the single Dad advice thing. I've been doing it long enough.

Actually, advice for any 'trail kids' trips. Keep it fun! Short days on the trail with lots of time to explore, around camp.

Take the opportunity for yourself to re-discover some of the interesting things, close to the ground, that you would normally take for granted , or not even notice. Bugs and stuff, are cool for kids, too”

“That's some name, there, guy. I don't know where you live, but find places to backpack to that are only a couple of miles from where you park. Make a base camp, and do your sightseeing and playing from there. A three year old girl will need extra clothes for potty accidents. They usually wait until the last minute to tell you that they have to go, whether at the mall or in the woods. One wide sleeping bag is probably all you'll need for now. Have fun!”

“Oh, and don't forget kid medicine for hurling and diahrea, different environments can upset young tummies, but not ruin trips.

Make up new games that just you and your daughter play. My dad and I used to take turns calling each other names, silly, goofy ones. Once I called him a dork, and he startled and said "Do you know what that means?" "Yeah, it means nerd"

"No", he said and he explained with a gesture, which of course caused me to get embarrassed and apologize, but then we continued with the game. We still play it to this day.

My kids like to play house. They tie rope to branches, hang their extra clothes up to form little walls, and use sticks to be people.”

“I applaud your willingness to be the best dad your daughter will ever know. Take lots of pictures, both of you will appreciate them in the years to come.

:)”

“Bring lots of goodies to eat. Follow their lead - if they wanna check out something - go for it. Leave the schedule at home. Keep your mind open and watch them, you'll learn a bunch.”

“This fall I took my 10 year old daughter and 5 yo son on their first overnight backpack. Ciera carried all her own clothes and a sleeping bag. Jim carried a small daypack, and ran up and down the trail like a happy dog. We hiked in one mile to a nice lake, had a fire, and fished. They had a wonderful time. Next summer we plan more of the same. I hope it goes well for you.

The trick here may be finding nice lakes that are only 1 to 3 miles in. Ciera complained about her pack, but at the lake said she could go for 2 or 3 miles.”

“Nice name....if I had a girl she would have been Ciera.”

“Wear a condom next time!!!




















Sorry...I couldn't resist <8)”

“The first few posters covered most of it. All I can think to add are: be very flexible and bring some fun food. Special trail only food adds a special allure (shelled pistachios, dried mangos, great trail mix, sandwhiches with fresh bakery bread worked for me).”

“Maybe have some activities planned such as making a solar compass (like one of the recent posts), star gazing and picking out the North star and some constallations, maybe a simple map and compass ?game?, let them lead the hike, etc.”

“I took each of my daughters out. It was two of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Children have a way of making everythin magical, since they are seeing it all for the first time, and from a perspective that we can sometimes forget. My oldest and I went on a moonlight walk from our base camp and we still talk about it to this day.”

“Don't make plans that you aren't willing to change.”

“Where do you live Stnkyjoe? There might be some excellant advice on places to take her.

Bring a set of watercolors and paint rocks. Get a tiny jar of bubbles to take from a wedding. Take lots of diaper wipes for clean up (let them dry out before packing them and add water in camp) Don't forget your camers!!! My 4 year old nephew had a blast in a cheap net hammock we brought. He also had a real hard time pooping in a hole, bring lots of plastic bags for dirty clothes! Have FUN!”

“Don't forget marshmallows!”

“You already got good advise, so here's mine. Remember to bring a gag for at night if they start screaming and disturbing other people. Was that too harsh?”

“No, that's not too harsh. I usually rock mine to sleep...with a real rock.”

“Excuse me!?”

“sklukaz, LMAO. That sure gives new meaning to the song "rock a bye my baby".”

“Yah, well, you ever listen to the words to that lullaby? They ain't much better.”

“rock a bye baby on a tree top
when the wind blows the craddle will rock
when the bow breaks the craddle will fall
down will come baby, craddle and all.

Now that's just sick. How can you sing that to a kid?”

“It made mine upset. He didn't like it at all.”

“sklukaz, I hope you told your infant at that time that he either had to like or find somewhere else to live! You got to start crackin the whip when their young, lol.”

“Splash, your game idea reminded me of a game my dad and I uesd to play. One of us would start a line of a story like once there was a girl who lived in the woods... and the other would add another line until we made up a great story together. Thanks for reminding me of great times!”

“Joe -

I have 2 young boys and can only add this..when we started we played games in the tent to ward off the "scaries" at night..cards, board games, etc.

Let her cook her own hot dog on a stick, toast marshmellows and make smores. You can always put potatoes in the fire too, or jiffy pop popcorn (if you can find it)

Bring some firewood so you don't have to do a lot of scrounging at the camp site.

Lastly, bring a book, a favorite book, to read in the tent before bed and her favorite stuffed amimules (stuffed animals..lol) to curl up with when she goes nite-nite.

This will be a great seed of adventure to plant and watch it grow!! How exciting for you!

Hugs!!”

“Game, Treasure hunt: make a list of things to find out in the woods. pinecones, moss, things that are easy to find.

My son always had a better time if there was water (lakes, creeks) on the hike.”

“Good advice from most of you. I advise patience, patience and some patience. I had a tough time ajusting to their pace and stopping to look at bug trails. I have learned more from them than they have from me.
Always let some one know where you are going. I now set an exact schedual when the kids go and the ex knows the schedual. Good luck”

“It is a grand age to let them in on the mysteries of nature and love of the outdoors. Be careful.”

“Looks like I have budding backpacker in the family. I bought one of those Kelty child carriers last week and took my 6 month old boy on a day hike today. When I took him out of the carrier after the hike he screamed bloody murder. I put him back in the carrier and he immediately became calm. Can't wait until he's potty trained so I can take him backpacking in the mountains. The experience will be extra special since I never met or had a father around when I was growing up. Lot's of great advice on this thread!”

“Good Luck Cairn. It looks like you are off to a great start.”

“Cairn, I took my 10 month old grandson on a hike in a carrier this weekend...he giggled with glee, kicked his feet and waved his hands. Then he found my hair and would not stop pulling it!”

“Just don't be too upset if things don't go as planned. I can't tell you how many times I have envisioned a beautiful day on the trail with just me and my 2 sons and once we are actually out there, things can get kind of stinky. For the most part, it has been wonderful! Take lots of pictures. Some of my favorite candid shot of my boys come from our hikes. Have fun!”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“yo-yo defense. (you'll get it)”

“Sweep.. sweep.... sweep those boring FAVORITE threads out of the way..”

“One thing I wanted to add - no one piece outfits at that age, ya know like overalls. My 2 1/2 year old grand daughter was fascinated by the outhouses this October, but it was darn cold for her trying to get those things off and on.”

“I'm with Lobo and M'chick (God bless).

Give him a whistle (one for you too) and show him how to use it.

Don't give him $hit EVER.
Wait for him with a smile (he'll be checking).
Let him pick up a stick.
Let him bring the rocks home in the car.

Happy trails.”