DATE YOUR KIDS + TAKE THEM OUTSIDE!!!

One on one time is REALLY important in our home. We made it a priority a couple of years ago. We go once a month + the boys look forward to it!!! We’ll alternate between one kiddo with both Mom + Dad. Or Dad + son, or Mom + son. Either way there is only one boy + plenty of time to open up about how things are going.

Before we had kids, (back when Jon wanted 13) we stressed over having enough attention to show each of them how loved they are. Individually.

The more kids we’ve had, the more precious + scarce one on one time has become. We have chosen to DATE OUR BOYS + create these habits while they are young + there’s still adequate time for everyone. 🙂 We pray that we’ll always have an open channel of communication as these boys grow.

We know the cold isn’t too far away, so for our one on one we packed up our cold weather running gear from Backcountry + took Jonah up to one of our favorite running trails in Farmington Canyon! Just above this pond that we talked about in our hiking blog post, it’s really only a few minutes from our home! SUCH A FUN AREA. There were lots of people taking family pictures just over the bridge.

We like to run from our house normally, but if you’re driving, follow the signs for Farmington Pond + then park in the upper dirt parking lot. The trail head is just at the north east opening of the parking lot. You’ll see a bridge with a black fence.

Jon loves to trail run + I haven’t ever really gone. Jonah is suppper into basketball right now + loves to run. He played in 2 basketball games last weekend + still wanted more. We love to be outside as a family, it’s one of the places we feel most connected – – – so we decided to take Jonah with us. A few tips for trail trail running :

Shoes! Make sure you have a supportive pair of running shoes. Jon loves these because they are specific to trail running + I snagged these, so glad I did because I am HOOKED! We love to layer! At first you are freeeezing, but you will warm up during your run, so I recommend technical layers that you can peel off during the run.

We took our time, did some running, hiking + sunset watching. It made for the perfect date + I can’t wait to bring the other boys. It’s funny how most of my favorite dates with Juan or the boys is when we just get outdoors!

I remember the quarter back from our rival high school – this super stud awesome kid – told me that his secret training weapon was YOGA. We’re talking stretching + getting in tune with his emotions was the best thing for him on the field. I’ve thought about that a lot over the years. I could be wrong, but it didn’t feel as “streamline” back in the day as it is now.

I usually go to classes for yoga. The boys know I go, but they haven’t seen me practice much in person. I’ve been wanting to introduce the concept to Jonah, but ever since our pedicure date took a biiiiiig turn for the worse. Talk about nothingggg going as planned. I pulled up to the nail salon + I thought he was going to cry. J would NOT get out of the car. I think I’m over it now. Almost. Ha! Anyways, I knew that next I wanted to introduce Jonah to trail running + teach him a few simple poses.

He’s seriously such a sweetheart. Jonah is growing into a responsible, polite incredible oldest brother. We love reading chapter books together at night + he wakes me up in the morning. He loves his little brothers + is looking forward to having his own underwear drawer in our new home. I loved this one on one time + hope that there are many more dates for many years to come + hoping a lot more are running together! I didn’t realize trail running was for me, but I L O V E D it!

I think I always assumed it was too hot or too cold, but when we snagged our cold weather gear from backcountry I was comfortable the whole time. They have the cutest jackets + boots rn for the whole fam. You can get 15% off your first purchase with code : GINGER now at Backcountry. exclusions apply.

ONE final tip that I learned from my friend Tiff to divert the other siblings from feeling left out at home is, we always pick out a treat for them at the gas station on the way home. I believe it keeps the child on the date from getting too hyped on being the favorite child 😉 + allows them to talk about things they love in their brothers. I’ve got some weird misconceptions about boys being competitive, so I’m constantly saving little tricks like this in my back pocket to tighten that brother bond that is already so precious!

Here are a few one on one dates that we have done over the last couple of years. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy, just some time to reconnect + let them open their heart + mind to our love as parents.

• pottery class + painting
• arcades
• baking pizza night + grocery shopping for the ingredients
• fossil hunting
• mountain or road biking
• cosmic bowling
• dollar store scavenger hunt (takes a little more prep)
• doorbell ditching treats to friends
• making slime (the worst, don’t tell the boys)
• batting cages
• library + snow cones
• nerf gun wars (dart side in Layton Hills Mall)
• aquarium
• hiking

Don’t let the cold slow you down from going outside + don’t let adding more kids discourage you from one on one time. Make it simple + make it work for your family. It could even be tucking them into bed individually. Whatever it is, just commit!

OUTFIT DETAILS :
gp : sherpa jacket |pants | shoes | beanie
jon : jacket | shirt | pants | trail running shoe | beanie
j : jacket | sweatshirt | sweats | shoes | beanie

This post is sponsored by Backcountry.