Adventure with Alex

You can look at it as comical, a “learning experience”, or just downright frustrating. No matter who you look at it, it seems we’ve reached one of the toughest stages as an outdoor family: getting out in winter conditions with a 22-month-old. If Maya’s favourite phrases these days are any indication (I do it. I walk. I don’t want to. No.), we’ve gotten about as far as the curb in front of our house and the “adventure” is already over.

Somehow skating on the Bow River turned into pulling dad on the sled. Photo Meghan J. Ward.

I reached out to other outdoorsy parents for advice, but nothing particularly helped the situation. Duct tape won’t solve the mitten issue because she doesn’t want them on in the first place. She won’t sleep outside. And it’s not even a matter of ‘building character’ at this point. This kid just doesn’t want to be constrained in a Chariot…