{"id":20872,"date":"2019-08-26T12:00:53","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T19:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/community.nrs.com\/?p=20872"},"modified":"2021-01-21T16:43:42","modified_gmt":"2021-01-22T00:43:42","slug":"family-rafting-101-the-daily-float","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.nrs.com\/duct-tape\/2019\/08\/26\/family-rafting-101-the-daily-float\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Rafting 101: The Daily Float"},"content":{"rendered":"

You know what\u2019s easier than taking your kids on the river? Pretty much anything else you can do with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s easier to stay at home and let them watch a movie because it\u2019s the weekend. Or simply turn the hose on in the backyard. It\u2019s even easier to stay in the basement folding laundry while they create a new and impressive obstacle course which only involves knocking over a few breakable items including their sister. And none of those things are bad.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But you know what\u2019s better than taking your kids to the river? Nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Our oldest is only six, but I can already hear the siren call of soccer games, sleepovers, and last minute science projects. There are invitations for parties and play dates and t-ball leagues nearly every weekend. I know that I\u2019m racing against the clock to stockpile memories of joy and time together in the outdoors while they\u2019re small enough to just want to be with us, pretty much wherever we want to be. <\/span><\/p>\n

So my husband and I have decided to prioritize the people we love in the places we love above all else. The world will always be there, with a million distractions, expenses and stress. Our children will only be bouncing up and down in the boat screaming \u2018RAPIDS\u2019 in a toddler voice for a few more years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve read any of my stories this summer and thought, \u2018I could never do that,\u2019 maybe you could. Take a pass on the logistical Everest of packing for a multi-day, and the insurmountable wall of \u2018must-have\u2019 gear. Find a mellow float, toss a Walmart cooler in the second-hand paddle boat and cinch down the kids\u2019 PFDs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Day floating is a great way to start, and once you\u2019re on the water it all makes sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, there is a reason we are calling this series Family Rafting 101 and not Family Rafting 402. I am not an expert in boating with kids and am constantly learning from parents who have been doing it way better for way longer. It\u2019s like I\u2019m finishing up a bachelors, maybe, for a good entry-level job, still staring at my professors in awe. Imposter syndrome is my daily acquaintance.<\/span><\/p>\n