Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

OldApartment9295 t1_irrh25x wrote

I take my kid hiking every weekend when its nice(the weather, not the kid). She complains 3/4 of the way then she’ll be really quiet and finally mention she’s having fun. Its a real drain on my mood but its good for us to go.

546

Dave30954 t1_irrly5n wrote

She’s definitely gonna appreciate that when she grows up, trust me. Good on you as a parent

268

DemiHelios t1_irrw6ft wrote

Me too friend! My child is a freaking nightmare but there are moments when she loves it.

77

EveHallidayInTheRain t1_irrwlyi wrote

Same. It’s worth the initial discomfort to see how my children grew and learned to value this time.

41

eleanorstonkle t1_irs185n wrote

My best friend complained all the time about how her mom would make her go hiking growing up, and now she's a mountaineering badass.

53

BlackberryButtons t1_irslvbu wrote

It's super strange, but I know for a fact I bitched incessantly about the constant hiking, road trips and weekend beach visits back in the 90's.

Now I look back and don't remember anything except the texture of it all, and the colors, and the smells of sea air and rainforest wind. And they are some of my best memories!

Part of it I think is that I have ADHD, and so suffering/discomfort has a timeless quality to it. But also other people without ADHD have described the same kind of simplification. Super interesting!

The kids will definitely appreciate it later, as others have said!

74

tvbomb t1_irso9ey wrote

Keep dragging her out. As the kid who grew up with this, who otherwise wouldn’t spend a moment outside and still loves video games to an unhealthy amount, this instilled a love and wonder for the outdoors that still resides in me today. I’m 29 now and just went on a 9 mile hike with Dad for his birthday this weekend. It’s a great way to keep close even though we live a couple hours away from each other now.

38

skynetempire t1_irs35jo wrote

I took my sons fishing and they would act up. I then remembered how I was with my dad unable to sit still and want to reel it in right away. The same way my sons are, but my son is older and he told me how much fun he would have fishing. I guess it's worth it at the end

25

Relatable-bagel t1_irsuei6 wrote

I can still here my grandfather gently scolding me to stop checking my bait. Such a great life metaphor god I love fishing.

10

alias4557 t1_irs99tf wrote

My parents used to drag me on outdoor/adventure vacations, and hated it so much at the time. Looking back, I feel so bad, because I appreciate so much the experiences it gave me. Keep up the good fight.

20

Glum_Ad_4288 t1_irsti4r wrote

Are your parents around for you to let them know how much you value the experience, even though you didn’t show it at the time? I bet they’d really appreciate hearing it now.

8

alias4557 t1_irud1y5 wrote

I had a fat heart to heart with my dad a couple of years ago when we drove halfway across country together. My sisters and I also mention it at family holiday gatherings. We were all little shits back then, I think we’ve been forgiven for most of it.

3

Stitchandbitch t1_iruo0kq wrote

I’m pretty sure I was this girl 25 years ago when my dad took me camping, hiking and fishing… but as an adult I found my happy place was out in the woods alone. It’s a time to clear my head, recenter myself and remember all the good in life when I’m feeling down or overwhelmed. Ive been so thankful he gave me that gift. He just passed unexpectedly in July and hiking is the only thing that makes me feel close to him and helps get me out of a funk. Great gift he gave me then and you’re giving to your daughter now.

4

Aveman19 t1_irtkk9e wrote

Take it from me: my dad would drag the whole family out every summer to the mountains for some hiking. I hated it as a kid, I’d complain non-stop. Fast forward to now - I moved to a city closer to the mountains so I can go out every other week. Nothing warms the soul like a good hike.

3

halstarchild t1_iruko2w wrote

Try making it engaging for her. Maybe you should try to identify plants or go forraging or ask her what she's interested in the woods. Or point out cool things you see together.

2

Splenda t1_irwp77t wrote

Go for the gross. Secretly drop some milk duds on the trail, then taste them to "identify the deer species". Or lick a worm or a slug, then dare her to do the same. Kids love it.

Then, at night, be sure to watch meteors, ask her to count the stars in The Pleiades, and look at the Andromeda galaxy with binoculars.

1

Sharlindra t1_iruqpbg wrote

well reading this thread is quite encouraging, putting up with all the "nooo I am tireed, its not fun, I dont want to waaalk" should be worth it :)

2

Embarrassed_Future20 t1_iru8hj0 wrote

I was this child and I will forever be grateful to my father because now in my thirties it’s one of the most refreshing/distressing ways I cope with life.

1