Backyard Bushcraft

I've been saying I was going to do it for a while, and I finally did it. I camped with the boy...in the backyard. He was nervously excited about sleeping outside. I was nervously excited about if he was going to like it. It was a success. Nothing much happened. We pitched the tent. I set up an air mattress since I wanted his first night outside to be comfortable. I left the rain fly off so we could see the stars. We read a few books, and he passed out.

I was left to look at him sleeping, read a few of my own books, and sleep outside for the first time in a long time. It was glorious.

I've talked to a bunch of people that said you have to ease your kids into outdooring loving gently. Whereas I want to go backpacking, hike five miles up a mountain, and camp ultra-lightly, that would obviously freak out a four year old. Starting out in the backyard is way better. He was comfortable. His mommy was just inside. We even made a small fire in the fire pit. I think it was a big success.

The only challenge is me. I'm lazy. I see all these channels and I get so excited about the outdoors. I feel amazing every time I take a hike. But, when it comes to camping out...I stall. I don't know why. It's something I have to work on. I need to start practicing GOYA (Get Off Your A$$!). It is, after all, resolution time.