If I were to wear a parenting badge, it would surely read “mom who enjoys the comforts of home.” Camping? No thanks. Fishing? Yawn. Hiking? Way too much exertion for my taste. Most days, I would rather kick back with a magazine on a sunny chaise lounge than take a dip in the frigid water of a pool.
To all the adventurous moms out there, cheers! I genuinely wish you all the fun and success on your journeys through the great outdoors, whether you’re hiking trails or helping your kids bait their fishing hooks. But don’t expect to see me there; I’ll be at the movies, enjoying the air conditioning and some popcorn.
Honestly, I have no qualms about how you spend time with your kids. If you’re nurturing those moments together, you’re an incredible mom in my eyes.
I sometimes wonder when being an unadventurous mom became stigmatized. Just because I prefer a laid-back lifestyle doesn’t mean I’m dull. I’m quite the opposite—funny, caring, and a bit silly, if I may say so. My kids seem to think I’m pretty awesome, and that’s what matters.
Let’s set the record straight: being unadventurous doesn’t mean I deny my kids thrilling experiences. Sure, I might opt out of certain outings, but that doesn’t make me a negligent parent. I have a solid support system, and I cherish my moments of quiet.
I am actively engaged in my children’s lives. During our more low-key times together, we make them count. I’m the reigning champion of staring contests, a master at impromptu dance parties on the coffee table, and an expert at crafting silly songs that my kids demand on repeat. Plus, I’m a formidable opponent in Memory and can spin thrilling ghost stories while we roast s’mores by candlelight. Kids absolutely love that!
While there are a million activities for moms and kids, and surely half of them are adventurous, I’m confident my children will find joy in the countless other options we have. We travel, create paper airplanes, build forts, blow bubbles, play with sidewalk chalk, visit the park, toss a ball, swim, concoct potions, build train tracks, and make sandcastles. Our days are filled with drawing, coloring, splashing in puddles, enjoying movies, and engaging in imaginative play.
My kids are thriving and well-rounded, full of humor, kindness, and adventure in their own rights. They love their unadventurous mom, and when they ask me to step outside my comfort zone, I sometimes do—it’s always enough for them.
I know there are many moms like me who want to dispel the myth that we deprive our kids of experiences. We’re not boring; we’re creating unique, cherished memories that stand shoulder to shoulder with any camping or fishing trip. It’s not about the activities but the time spent together.
So here’s to us, the moms who prefer to dodge mosquitoes, roast marshmallows indoors, and buy fish from the market rather than catch them ourselves. May we be embraced and celebrated for the wonderful mothers we are!