Paige Claassen and Emily Harrington share insights on balancing climbing and parenthood, managing climbing activities as parents to young children, adapting climbing styles while parenting, finding balance between climbing and family responsibilities, and the challenges of returning to climbing post-pregnancy. They discuss the unique experiences of parenting climbers and the joys of introducing children to new sports activities.
Parenting demands more energy and attention than expected, requiring significant adjustments and increased workload.
Transitioning to outdoor climbing with kids involves logistical challenges and necessitates support from partners, reevaluating risk tolerance and time management.
Post-childbirth, deliberate training and focus on enjoyment over performance yield unexpected strength gains, prompting a renewed appreciation for climbing.
Deep dives
Adapting to Parenting Two Kids
Balancing parenting with two kids has proven to be more challenging than expected. Initially thinking that managing a second child would be 50% more work, the reality turned out to be more demanding than anticipated, as the workload more than doubled. Despite initial thoughts that additional children wouldn't drastically change the efficiency scales, the experience proved otherwise, requiring a significant increase in energy and attention.
Challenges of Climbing Outdoors with Kids
Transitioning from indoor to outdoor climbing with children involves logistical complexities. While recognizing the value in outdoor climbing, the constraints posed by parenting necessitate adjustments in climbing goals and scheduling. The need for support from partners, family, or friends plays a crucial role in facilitating climbing excursions, with considerations about risk tolerance and time management becoming key factors in planning climbing activities.
Rediscovering Climbing Resilience Post-Childbirth
Post-childbirth, the approach to climbing transformed, emphasizing deliberate and focused training over high volume. The mental shift towards finding enjoyment and value in climbing, rather than focusing solely on performance outcomes, led to unexpected personal strength gains. Enhancing mental resilience and adapting climbing objectives to align with current lifestyle constraints fostered a renewed appreciation for climbing, yielding improved physical capabilities.
Navigating Shifts in Risk Tolerance and Outdoor Pursuits
Parenthood prompts shifts in risk tolerance, influencing outdoor adventure choices and the pursuit of long-term goals. Balancing the desire for challenging adventures with the need to prioritize family time and safety considerations underscores the evolution in approach to recreation. Managing expectations and adapting outdoor activities to align with evolving circumstances reflect a nuanced engagement with risk and adventure post-parenthood.
Fostering Children's Interest in Outdoor Activities
Encouraging children's engagement in outdoor pursuits involves providing opportunities for exploration, while respecting individual preferences and interests. Allowing children the freedom to discover their passions, whether in climbing or other activities, promotes personal growth and fulfillment. The importance lies in fostering a supportive environment where children can discover and pursue activities that bring them joy and purpose.
Embracing Constraints for Intense Climbing Focus
Limitations on time and energy due to parenting responsibilities can enhance focus and intensity in climbing sessions. Utilizing limited windows of time for concentrated training sessions and pursuing deliberate skill development can lead to unexpected performance improvements. Embracing constraints as opportunities for focused growth and leveraging the intensity of limited training resources can result in enhanced climbing abilities and personal satisfaction.
News flash: having kids changes things. Paige Claassen and Emily Harrington join Alex to discuss the new normal, reaching limits while sleep deprived and the calculus of risk as they move into parenthood.
