How Hiking Can Help You Connect with Your Teens: The Secret to Making Family Outings Fun
Laurie Moser . Published July 3rd, 2024
Waking teens up on a Saturday morning to go hiking is like getting your toddler to play quietly while you enjoy your morning cup of coffee that is still hot. It's not easy to do!
BUT despite all the eye rolling, complaining and groans, something amazing seems to happen on hikes.
Connection!
Here's the thing, we have a 13 year old goldendoodle(Bella) and when she sees that red bandana come out for hikes, that tail starts to wag and her eyes look bright and excited and honestly she acts like a puppy again. It makes it so fun to take her and everyone loves seeing how happy she is to go on hikes with us. She has to stay in the lead also. We say that hiking is her "youth elixir!"
Even though I was by myself for a lot of the hike, which I love. It's my time to connect with myself. When we reach the top and find our spot to have our picnic, we have this great 20 to 30 minutes of connecting. It's such easy conversation because everyone is enjoying their lunch, the scenery and watching the birds waiting for you to drop some food for them.
There's this sense of complete satisfaction that you did something challenging and it made you feel good!
I think the kids know that the conversation is not going to be something heavy or serious, which makes it fun and they can relax.
And, it's all about the food. 🍪
I know that one of the reasons we all look forward to our picnics is the lunch! Yes, the spot is always beautiful that we find but it's the food. I make sure that I pack an awesome picnic, it's stuff that we normally don't eat every day. My husband and I have these awesome portable wine glasses and we'll enjoy a glass of wine. I gotta say, it's my favorite way to enjoy a glass of 🍷
If you want to connect with your teens:
Try doing a family activity outside. Let them have a say in it. Pack an amazing lunch. Or stop for ice-cream on the way back.
Make it fun. 🍦
We all need to have more fun in our lives. When we're relaxed and having fun, connection naturally happens.
Tonight, my daughter is not talking to me again but I have next Saturday to get out and connect with her again.
Thanks for reading, friends!
Laurie 🌸
LAURIE MOSER
Laurie Moser is an advocate for moms’ mental health. Supporting moms who have teens with mental health challenges using self-care tools & group support. Laurie has been featured by Focus on the Family, Real Biz Moms, Tracking Happiness and a guest on 5 Minutes for Me App, Voice of Women (VOW), I Never Knew (INK) and the Life Changing Habits Summit.
