How do you stay married with kids and paddle??

[Clif]

.... If Life was rated like the rivers are i wonder what class it would be????

I would say VI, cuz we all die at the end. How you handle the individual rapids and how you are prepared for that end are the key.

The time with the family issue runs a big part for us also. The kayak collects more dust as the raft and canoe get more family hours. I think I would rather hit some harder water, but enjoy the family runs more than i can imagine.

[KAYAKN]

Oh well i tried, just got my papers. :shock: Thanks guys for your support. This beats the nutt job that takes a 100.00 from me each week. Im done, moderator's please deleate this F'ed up post.

[Shark Attack]

Paddlegal, I don't think you understood. I'm the one that gets put out of the boat.

Wes

[tomcat]

Oh well i tried, just got my papers. :shock: Thanks guys for your support. This beats the nutt job that takes a 100.00 from me each week. Im done, moderator's please deleate this F'ed up post.

Man, that suxz. I don't really know you but my heart goes out to you or anybody having to go thru a split-up. Hang tough and realize that things WILL get better one way or the other.

Tommy

[JTarver]

I agree with what Brad said. It's really worth it. Besides..there is alot of paddling out there..you just have to pick your waves man. And yes, take the kids with you when you can..or camping..or whatever. It's incredible watching them develope their own personalities, and rewarding.
Peace,
Joe

[knu2xs]

Two things, I am proof and creative solutions rule the day.

First, I am living proof. My parents waterlogged and dragged me all over the country, most of the time to and from one whitewater river or another, but always camping and mixing in a hike or two. Now, I have likely logged more hours on the water than most anybody, moving to a new town and finding a job so I can paddle every day. Last year, I logged over 300 days on the water. Start 'em young and this likely could be the result.

Second, during my formative years, I distinctly recall witnessing a very creative combination of his and her needs on the Piney. An individual who will remain unnamed was piloting a sweep boat down the Piney. On the decks of this sweep boat a floating wine tasting party was taking place. All it takes is a little creativity.

[littleredboat]

LOL!! Depends on your wife! Hubby and I have eight kids and go every chance we get. We end up staying close to home, Big Piney, Buffalo, Mulberry, usually but we still go. Take the older ones with you, sitter for the rest. If your wife DOESN"T like to go, make sure you give her time away to do what she wants also. And if what she wants is time with you, make sure you make it worth her while. In talking to different people on the river, I think it's more that spouses, men and women alike, that don't get paddling, are a little jealous, because when you get home, you're all excited and you've had this wonderful experience, and they missed it. So try not to go on and on about it either. I have to keep my mouth shut around my oldest if she misses out because of a soccer or volley ball camp. Oh... and know that if you do talk her into going.... only a rare couple can actually paddle tandem..... Hubby and I bought semi matching red mohawks for valentines day a few years back (Isn't he SWEET?!) and we're actually still married! :) I was a little worried while he was "teaching" me. you know * WHAT ARE YOU DOOOOING?! YOU"RE MAKING ME LOOK LIKE AN AMATURE!* LOL! That's okay, though. I have a growing stock of video and pics of him flipping that I'm making into a feature film to post on facebook. :) I do everything with my family, and I don't really feel too bad taking some "ME" days. I hope you find that balance!

[kayakmamma]

This has been a fascinating thread to read! My husband is a complete non-paddler/doesn't really care for the outdoors, we have five children, and married for 24 years. My love for kayaking has caused me to be gone a lot, fill our garage with boats, spend a lot of money on gas, leave him home with kids, miss our anniversary, etc.
It helps so much to be married to the most wonderful man in the world. But I find that being as kind and thoughtful of him in every possible way goes really far.

I'll quote Turtle from earlier in the thread:
"Many do keep their partners and kids, with a lot of TLC
Gotta give some to get some. [insert pun here] "

That and everything Big Daddy D said, are right on the mark for Shae and I and our family. Good luck

[canoe]

well i'm a woman who paddles little but very glad when Dale gets to. I like time to my self when he's on the river. The out doors is the trick either you like it or ya don't. Dale taught me a long time ago if we get to spend time together when the creek is up then i better go to which is ok . That is what he loves it is his stress relief and any woman should be real happy when they are happy. plus he also taught me that a good shuttle wife really makes him happy. the shuttling is great you get your time and you meet the best people. of course this will be year 39 for the process at the Barton house hold so it's like routine. If i can help i would be glad to.. Pam and good luck..

[Adam Willard]

Very interesting post, wonder what happened??

[Jbyrum]

1,) Be attractive
2.) Don't be unattractive

just kiddin

[jonest]

Did the guy delete his membership? I can't find him in the members list to send PM.

[hdh]

Kayakn= Adam Williard

[R_Corter]

This thread may have been old but it was an interesting read. I have very complicated time schedule. Wife and 6 kids. The wife loves the outdoors. That makes me Lucky. I have 2 kids (1 Boy 1 Girl) she has 3 all girls. We have 1 girl together. 1 Dog austrailian shepard. 2 Horses to take care of. Wife and I have several hobbies. Hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking and camping. she doesn’t like to shop and neither one of us are social butterflies. We like being outdoors a lot! We like being with people that enjoy the outdoors. The oldest of wife’s is 9 she like's the outdoors. She was playing softball but decided to try taekwondo this year. Taekwondo doesn’t seem to be as time consuming as the softball was, practice is twice a week. The middle girl’s, one mine and one hers both take dance. Practice is once a week. They have several recitals in the spring and early summer on the weekends. The middle one of mine also does softball it has just started. Practice is 2 times a week and games will be 2-3 times a week when they start. The middle girls are a lot alike they can handle being outdoors but like it inside too. I think they will both grow to enjoy the outdoors. The youngest of the wife’s is 6 she is playing softball this year but we don’t really know how well she will like it cause she is not the greatest on being outside. I am not sure if she will ever like the outdoors but she will have to tolerate it some. The youngest of mine the lonely boy of the bunch I'll just say this he will be 4 in Sept. and from the time his eyes open in the morning he wants to be outside you have to drag him inside kicking and screaming!!! The youngest of ours is Dakota she is almost a year. She will set foot in her first canoe when we take our family vacation in June at Buffalo Point. She will most certainly love the outdoors that is the environment she will be raised in. We do not get to float near as much as we want. But we take the kids at least once a year and we get free and go by ourselves once a year. We have already logged a trip on buffalo this year in January. We have a big trip planed in July for Spring River for the Wife and I and some of my cousins. We got the family vacation planned in June on the Buffalo and I’m sure much of that will be on the water. Planning is key when you have a family, It’s the only way. We have a second place to take care of at Calico Rock and I also raise a Garden very year. We stay very busy. I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel because my kids are too young and we will only get more things to do as they get older if they participate in extra activities. I can close my eyes and see the day when were sitting at the house and wondering where all this time went and the memories will shower down on us. That will not be till I’m at least 100.

I have videos of us canoeing with the kids if some of you want to watch on youtube my user name is (rancor12and1).

[Adam Willard]

Harlan running his mouth =

As I sit here wondering how to reply Im looking back on my life. So I'll guess I'll answer my own question. Well most of you know I did get a divorce. Was it really the paddling, riding bikes or just not being at the house?? I've learned it was a lot more and the activities I enjoyed and tried to share with her didn't really matter either. My marriage was set up for failure from the begining. I know some of you are going how, why?? Its very simple, so simple it's almost unattainable by most couples. Don't believe me, look at the divorce rate. The reason my marriage failed is the lack of respect and lack of communication. Most couples have no idea how to talk to their spouse. Dont belive me, go out to eat and look around, couples are on their phones engaging it and not their loved one. My X and I loved each other, we done things for each other, we didnt have physical arguments and we done everything we could do for our kids. We just didnt know how to respect each other and communicate. Here's an example, I would tell her I was going paddling then ask her if she would like to come. I didnt consider her thoughts so my communication was poor. She would get mad because I was leaving but didn't know how to explain her feelings, bad communication. So over time we grew apart. My X and I are stilling learning how to communicate with each other, guess 19 years of bad habits are hard to break. I also did one other thing and for me it was the most important decision i've ever made in my life. I put all my troubles in God's hands. It worked for me. I have found a beautiful woman that has three beautiful boys. Lisa and I have had some rocky days but we both love each other and are taking the time(very important when you love someone) to learn to respect and communicate. It's not easy, it's sometimes very hard and confusing but worth it's weight in gold. I now have a great friend that I can tell anything to and she listens with a open mind and heart. I have also changed when I go paddling. Since I get the girls a week on and week off now I only go paddling when I dont have them( witch isnt much since it doesnt rain any more) When they are with me I'll ask them what they want to do, where they want to go etc. No matter how bad I want to go paddling, even if my favorite run is up, i havent been on it in months and all my paddling buds are blowing up my phone. So my answer to my question is yes I belive it's possible to stay married with kids and paddle, you just have to be commented to your marriage like you are when you pick that perfect line to run that drop.