We’ve all heard these words—“Momma, I’m tired,” or “Daddy, my legs hurt.” A lot of our hikes and adventures end with those words being proclaimed on the banks of a river or the side of the mountain. I’m no expert on raising kids or hiking, but here are three things that help our family push through the last challenge to reach our destination:
1. Use your imagination. When you’re tired, what can make the last mile of a hike more fun? Enter into a new world and allow your kid(s) to tell a story. Allow the last moments of a hike to truly become an adventure. The list goes on and on, but we’ve become Paw Patrol characters, dinosaur hunters, or the story of Frozen has come to life. Storytelling takes any hike to another wonderful level.
2. Race. We’ve had quite a few of our hikes end in races. It’s simple and fun. We set a marker and race to the tree or rock. It picks up the pace and those little legs forget that they’re tired.
3. Rest. Honestly, this is the hardest for me. Even when I’m out hiking with my family, I want to push through to achieve our goal. But resting is so important. First, it provides everyone a breather (obviously). Second, and more importantly, it allows us to recognize what’s all around us. Resting from the work changes our perspective as we pause to be renewed. The sounds become sharper. The colors become more vivid, and you might just notice the flower, the frog, or the bug. Next time you hear those words, “my legs hurt,” stop every few feet (if you need to) and see what you discover.
Be Kind. Be Bold. Be Thankful.
