Fatherhood anonymous; an open discussion on being a dad.

[The SnowShow]

Honestly, that is pretty standard. Pretty much from President's Day through 4th of July most of the spring sports will have tournaments on holidays. Not sure whey you would be smug about it though. What is more annoying to me living in Utah are tournaments that run Thursday-Saturday or Friday - Saturday because people refuse to play on Sundays. I guess skipping school is easier than skipping church.

This woman acts like her kids are amazing athletes (they’re average and undersized) and they’re amazing parents for basically taking them to practices and games every day, weekdays and weekends. I get the feeling she thinks my wife and I are selfish for maintaining some semblance of our old lives while doing all we can for our girl…not that that’s enough in her eyes. Not that I care but it’s so annoying.

[fatnslow]

This woman acts like her kids are amazing athletes (they’re average and undersized) and they’re amazing parents for basically taking them to practices and games every day, weekdays and weekends. I get the feeling she thinks my wife and I are selfish for maintaining some semblance of our old lives while doing all we can for our girl…not that that’s enough in her eyes. Not that I care but it’s so annoying.

mom/dad are both average size, pudgy and not very coordinated but junior will be a D1 recruit at 15. Myopia is a hell of a drug

[Danno]

mom/dad are both average size, pudgy and not very coordinated but junior will be a D1 recruit at 15. Myopia is a hell of a drug

My kid sometimes insists she's going to get a D1 scholarship and I tell her that there's no chance, because I know who her father is.

[riser4]

My kid sometimes insists she's going to get a D1 scholarship and I tell her that there's no chance, because I know who her father is.

Ya, who's her father? . You teed that one up pretty good.

[fatnslow]

My kid sometimes insists she's going to get a D1 scholarship and I tell her that there's no chance, because I know who her father is.

Maybe she'll prove you wrong. As long as your not that douche your fine.

[The Reverend Floater]

Back on track.

My 8 y/o on the way to her first Dead show. My dad took me at 8, the circle is now complete. She had an absolute blast.

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[Buzzworthy]

Turtles and the Polaroid and sporting shades.
Good luck dad, she’s gonna be cool.

[jackattack]

Back on track.

My 8 y/o on the way to her first Dead show. My dad took me at 8, the circle is now complete. She had an absolute blast.

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This seems like a better trajectory than committing her to an eternal religious commitment at the "age of accountability" like my parents did.

[Duffman]

Back on track.

My 8 y/o on the way to her first Dead show. My dad took me at 8, the circle is now complete. She had an absolute blast.

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Wow , Sphere for first show? Awesome !

[riser4]

What a world of difference.

[SchralphMacchio]

Rev that’s awesome.

Earlier this winter we were towing the RV home from the ski hill … our 2 year old was passed out in his car seat, and as we pulled onto our block, Scarlet Begonias from Barton Hall comes on.

The 2 year old immediately wakes up crying -
Then he yells out loud, “I WANTED FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN!!!”
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Good thing all I had to do was press next track on the steering wheel!

[406]

Did our fourth annual bike into camp at the local State Park with the middle kid. Late leaving home due to classic dad stuff...clogged kids toilet and sink. F'ing Home Depot self checkout had all kinds of problems ringing up the toilet auger. Why does stuff like this always happen right when I'm trying to leave for a night or more?

She is 6 years old now, so too big for the shotgun seat or seat I rigged on the rack and time to ride her own bike in. I used a tow strap for most of the up hill.


The mirror was helpful to keep an eye on what she is up to, but difficult for me to look down while riding. Would get one for helmet for next trip:


She wanted to hike her bike up a few hills and actually skipped while doing so, first I had ever seen anyone do that:


camp and victory beer for me:


I had brought just one freeze dried dinner, thinking a Peak Refuel Chicken and Pesto would be enough for both of us. She ate 90%, and kept going on about how it was the best dinner ever and why can't I cook this at home. I mostly had some cashews for dinner.

Night went well, she got up to pee 6" from front door of tent , otherwise slept a solid 12 hours. Granola for her(her favorite) and sausage and biscuits for me...so plenty of breakfast despite her getting into mine.

Ride out was mostly down and I was nervous she would get going to fast, but did great. Complained one time her hand was sore from pulling the brake on the dirt road and we stopped to rest. She really like the trail part because less braking and flows pretty nice.


Swim in the river after:


Then rush back to town to miss by 2 min the oldest kid getting a reading award at school

Taking the youngest next. Will be his first trip away from home that is also away from his mom. Was the same for middle kid, but he has a bit of the Mother Boy. Wish me luck.

[alpinevibes]

Strong work, making it all happen!

[Boissal]

Inspiring. Can't wait to be able to do that stuff with my daughter.
Note to self though: bring extra food.

[Dromond]

Well I got our 2.5 year old out for her first real mtb ride on the shotgun seat. A few weeks ago we happened to be going on a last minute camping trip to Orcas island, and I realized that there was the rare opportunity to ride a long, shuttleable downhill trail on Mt Constitution that is not very technical. I had done it once before, and since it’s closed to biking May 15 - June 15, it was not something that is often possible. So in addition to panic-packing all of the camping stuff in time to make the ferry, I also started readying the bikes, including mom’s old mtb that has been collecting dust for two years, needs tire sealant and who knows what else.

So we are cruising up to the ferry terminal with some extra time - but not a lot -and I realize I’ve forgotten little one’s helmet. I’m super bummed because she loves riding dada’s bike, but Super Mom in the passenger seat miraculously finds someone selling a mint condition toddler helmet in the right size a 10 minute drive from the terminal. Somehow, we pulled it off with just enough time to eat a massive ice cream cone in the ferry line.

Fast forward a day, and we are taking in a miraculous 360 degree of the sound and every mountain range in western WA plus some of BC from the top of the mountain. It’s time to click in and get little one on the bike. Shuttle bros are rolling into the lot ready to shred. I have a self questioning moment: should you really take your small, two year old child on a 2,000 vertical foot decent for her second time hanging on to your bike for dear life? No, you shouldn’t. I can’t advise it! At least mom was along so it felt like at least there were two crazed parents approving. YOLO

Well we start riding and it’s apparent that I can ride faster with little one on the bike than mom can comfortably ride - she’s a bit rusty of course and it’s a long downhill. Little bean gives off a lot of “Weee!” and “Yeah!” When I ask if she is having fun. After a mile or two it does become clear that more than a bump or two at a time feels pretty rough for her. She can hold on tight, and her head is steady, but this is a long, LONG downhill for her, and there is a lot of vibration when you weigh 25lbs and sit directly on the top tube. So we take some breaks, I go super slow over rough, steep sections - occasionally just walking the bike down - and try to minimize the vibration to requests of “No bumps! Too much.”

The last part of the ride has some climbing, and I realize that for any decent pitch it’s easier to hop off and push the bike uphill with her on it, like a glorified stroller. Despite this being a toddler enduro with some gritted baby teeth, she giggles on the smooth fast sections. Having her weight on the top tube feels surprisingly stable and easy to ride with - as lo go as you are riding on the flat or downhill. Climbing is a bit bow-legged for me.

We arrive at the base to the relief of all, and little bean is just beaming. She says “I love biking!” and has a huge smile. She and mom eat snacks and play in the grass for the next hour or so while I grind up the steep road in zone 4 to retrieve the car from the top. At least I was able to leave the shotgun seat and toddler at the bottom to save some weight! Overall it was quite the adventure and I look forward to getting her on the bike again - just maybe for 10 minutes at a time and not a 2 hour toddler Megavalanche!

[Norseman]

toddler enduro, lol

love the last couple bike adventure posts

[riser4]

Yo, 406, your little one clearly sensed danger and the need to mark the territory. She was keeping you safe!

[lowsparkco]

Been itching to get back into a camper van to use it to hang with my little girl. Finally pulled the trigger yesterday on a converted MB Metris. I never imagined I would ever drive a minivan, so at least I found one with a lift kit.

[406]

Nice work Dromond! I would be curious to see the trail you went down on trailforks if you have a link? I'm a big fan of kids ride shotgun seat, but mostly just been on bike path type trails and really smooth single track. I noticed my kids didn't know to put their weight on feet during the bumps, so have been working on that with youngest, after I first suggested he stood up way off the seat :-). That and stopping for them to run around every few miles.

[Dromond]

Nice work Dromond! I would be curious to see the trail you went down on trailforks if you have a link? I'm a big fan of kids ride shotgun seat, but mostly just been on bike path type trails and really smooth single track. I noticed my kids didn't know to put their weight on feet during the bumps, so have been working on that with youngest, after I first suggested he stood up way off the seat :-). That and stopping for them to run around every few miles.

We did everything but the last mile of this: Mt. Constitution Spiral Shuttle Route Route
https://www.trailforks.com/goto/ro/7457/

My girl is just 26lbs so hanging on that long was super impressive. I will definitely be trying to teach her to stand up as soon as that is feasible. She is just starting to coast on the balance bike for example. I also found a breaks were super necessary and I think it was fun for her to be whizzing from place to place on dad’s bike.

I thought your bike camping trip looking really cool. We did one overnight in a tent with ours after towing her in a trailer last summer, but it was pretty bumpy for her, and she is just so so on the trailer. I’d love to do something like your trip one day when she is bigger! We have backpacked with her before but she’s getting a little big for that.

[garyfromterrace]

Dromond! Strong work my friend!

[m2711c]

[406]

^^^that is funny, kindergartener just learned the F word, thankfully from her mom. Oldest kid asked what it meant and I said what animals do to reproduce and she replied with "so you and mom fuck". Wish I would have seen that video first.

Dromond that ride looks awesome. Local buddy goes up to Orca for a week each summer and photos always like it is cool.

It was the youngest kids turn last weekend. Opted for no rear rack and more stuff in the backpack to keep weight on bike down. Set up: handle bar bag has 2 sleeping bags and our cloths; downtube bag has bike tools, fuel, first aid; triangle bag has tent poles, water filter, 2 sleeping pads, 2 spoons, bug spray, ground tarp, stove; backpack lots of water, tent, food, pots and cups, 1 beer, bathroom stuff; toptube bag has snacks and hand sani.


He is 3 and almost 40 lbs, so probably only year he will fit on the kids ride shot gun seat:


Some complaining on the way in when I was going slow up the lager hills, "this is taking forever" Couple stops for snacks and to smell the grape soda flowers:


Same camping spot as last week, but more bugs this week for some reason. Set up and dinner went well, he also ate most of our shared dinner. I bought a OR water bottle parka on clearance for $15 last year, which kept my beer nice a cold.


Lots of farts when he was playing around camp, I kept asking if he needed to use the potty and he kept saying no. I suggested we go for a little walk in the direction of the pit toilet. Made it about half way and he said he had to poop and I said perfect we are going to the bathroom. He replied with I just pooped. It was a big one, so I carried him to the pit toilet and thankfully had lots of baby wipes. He then got mad I tossed his spiderman underwear, sorry bud I'm not packing those out, but calmed down when I told him I had more back at the tent.

Night went smooth and he was up like normal at 5:30am. Was a little cold out, but he enjoyed his Tang while breakfast cooked:


He had lots of fun on ride out and enjoyed the faster pace of the mostly downhill:


Swim in the river after and he was asleep on the drive home within a mile of leaving the parking lot.

[Dromond]

Lots of farts when he was playing around camp, I kept asking if he needed to use the potty and he kept saying no. I suggested we go for a little walk in the direction of the pit toilet. Made it about half way and he said he had to poop and I said perfect we are going to the bathroom. He replied with I just pooped. It was a big one, so I carried him to the pit toilet and thankfully had lots of baby wipes. He then got mad I tossed his spiderman underwear, sorry bud I'm not packing those out, but calmed down when I told him I had more back at the

On our same trip to Orcas we were setting up camp while little one is having fun playing in the tent. There had been some farts. Then we hear the dreaded request: “More pants.” There is nothing like a camping code brown to put fear into grown adults[emoji90]

[liv2ski]

Hold onto your kids and give them an extra hug . They grow up quick but will always be your little______. My 38 year old daughter had a stroke 5-6 days ago and is in the ICU. The days rotate between hopeful and bad news. This morning was a gut punch. Not looking for sympathy, just sayin love your kids and be a great Dad for them.