What to do...

[floatingwoody2006]

This may be a little personal, but im looking for some advice i guess. I have been invited to go on a remote camping / fishing trip for 3 days this weekend. My son who is 12 years old is undecided yet if he wants to go as well. His mother has always babied him, and he is not used to being in the bugs without a video game to play. I know that i have enabled both of them to be homebodies up to this point,.. even the dog is a wimp. you may say that me and my better half aren't compatable with me always being outdoors with fishing, camping and sports.. While they would rather go to a movie or play games. I guess my question is.. Should i drag him along even if he is resistant to the trip for the experience,( it would be hell on me for 3 days as well if he get's homesick right away) Or should i take the easy way out and go and enjoy myself without having to worry about it. The frustrating part of it is that i am always preaching the importance of being outside and doing healthy activities. Then when it comes time to say.. Alright! turn the boob tube off and get outside and play, it's ALWAYS theres nothing to do.. No one to play with. his mother backs him up on this. I feel like im hitting a brick wall here. What say you.. Should i drag him along even if it looks like he will be a handfull for 3 days?.. This is a remote trip with no electric..14 miles across a remote lake.

 

[QC]

Re: What to do...

Make him go! It could change his life . . . Any chance of taking one of his friends with? My youngest is 11 and is definitely Momma's little dude. I take him camping and I am his best friend and he has a blast. All of my boys are outdoorsy, but I was sure he would be a royal pain without Mommy around, but it has been great!!!!

 

[rogerwa]

Re: What to do...

Sometimes you gotta push em.. My daughter was lump on a log and not wanting to do anything active. My wife kept signing her up for stuff against her will. Tennis, Gymnastics, etc.. then she played volleyball.. It has been four or so years and she has accomplished a lot. she played of the city travelling team this past winter. this is a team she tried out for two years ago and at the time, she was nowhere near as good. She has become somewhat of an athlete. Plays softball, etc.. I couldn't believe how well she could dig. She will be trying out for her HS team this fall as a freshman.

My other son played travelling ball when he was 10 and basically burned out with it. It was too intense. He gave up baseball period. Well we convinced him he needed to do something, so he played baskteball, soccer, and then got trained to become an umpire for the in-house baseball league. He did that for two years. This year my wife told him she was signing him up for in-house baseball whether he liked it or not. Her deal was that if he played this season and didn't like it, then he could give it up. Well he fought us tooth and nail, but at the end of the season, he loved it and was sad the season ended. He now has reverted to playing ball with his brothers 4-5 hours a day. Something he didn't do when he was burned out.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: What to do...

He wont know if he likes it or not until he tries it!

 

[LadyFish]

Re: What to do...

Make him go!

It'll be the best experience of his life even if he dosen't think so until years later. Camping in remote areas is more than just roughing it for a bit. You two will bond and being in the out of doors will teach him many of life's lessons.

It'll be of the most important things you can do for him (and you).

 

[aspeck]

Re: What to do...

I vote for go - it will be a great experience for him either way! I have a deal with my 5 year old - she has to try everything I propose once. If she doesn't like it, I agree to back off, but she has to give it an honest try (goes for trying new foods, etc). At 5 she wants to go EVERYWHERE with me - fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. She is identifying animals by their tracks and scat, finding food plots, bedding areas, etc. She knows the difference between a rub and a scrap, and has become more daring. She will be 6 in September and describes herself as a "prissy Tom-boy" because she loves to dress up, play with dolls, and pretend she is a princess, but when with daddy, bring on the wrestling, boxing (the other day she gave ME a fat lip - yep self defense - I pity the boy that does her wrong), hunting, fishing, etc.

Her mom enjoys that also, it gives her the freedom to join me in those events, or have some "alone time." Win-win for everyone.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: What to do...

Advice well given, and Taken. We'll go raincoat shopping tonight. Oop's.. Sorry son, i must have forgotton to grab the bag with your gameboy in it. I did buy you a new reel though..

 

[aspeck]

Re: What to do...

Let us know how it goes. I bet it will be the best time of his life - bonding with dear ole Dad!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What to do...

Can I go?

I'll wear my special outfit for you.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: What to do...

Advice well given, and Taken. We'll go raincoat shopping tonight. Oop's.. Sorry son, i must have forgotton to grab the bag with your gameboy in it. I did buy you a new reel though..

If ya throw in a new rod I'll go.......................but I'm not dressing up like the frog man. BTW I'm thinking the boy will have a blast. Go for it.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: What to do...

I may Be out of the loop on what the special out fit is Rubberfrog..Could you post a picture of yopurself wearing this for consideration?

Side Note.. I hear the salmon and brookies are loaded in this place.. Photo's to follow on
Monday.

Edit..On second thought, the way the bass have been hitting down here, a big rubber frog suit may well be entertaining!!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What to do...

I'm already wearing it, big boy.

 

[12Footer]

Re: What to do...

I aint touchin that..


But take him. (the youngun, not Phil)

 

[sun_runner235]

Re: What to do...

I say take him. Get him involved in as much decision making as possible on the trip and make sure to goof around with him and not be too critical. If he doesn't hate it, maybe plan the next trip to an outdoor paintball facility. I'm sure if he loves video games he likes to play the first person shooter type. Get him on the field and show him how to really play. Good luck to you!

 

[tommays]

Re: What to do...

My now 22 year old son (with BAD asthma as a child) still thanks me all the time for NOT letting his mother protect him from the world


Little things like makeing him ride his bike home after falling and skining his elbow went a long way towards building his confidence to live and enjoy life

My children and my BILs children would rather go camping on a remote Island (carry in and out everything) with the dads than allmost anything







Tommays