Written by Julia Walton
I have three kids and I am exhausted. It’s a happy and reasonable exhaustion from keeping three small humans alive and I’m proud to be their mom, but I can’t stress enough that TIRED is my default setting.
So when I think of activities beyond my kids’ regular extra curriculars, I want something that is going to make them as tired as I am so that when we get home EVERYONE SLEEPS.
Rock climbing does that.
My nine-year-old, who can climb every single wall in Sender City, can climb for an entire hour, buckling and unbuckling herself from each wall. It is magical watching her do this (without my assistance), knowing that when we get home, she is going to take a hot shower and then CRASH.
*Cue maniacal laughter*
For my middle daughter, who is now seven, Sender City taught her to be patient with herself. She took her time getting used to all the different walls available and then one day she climbed all the way to the top of the skyscrapers and leapt into the air like the witches in Practical Magic. Most importantly, she worked muscles that do not ordinarily get quite as much attention, and she was *wait for it* TIRED when we were done.
*Applause*
I now have a four-year-old who is ready to try climbing and this dude has unlimited energy. Naturally, I will be taking him in for his first climb with the hope that he loves it, takes his time on all the different walls, and gets tired enough to sleep the entire night in his bed without sneaking out at 3 AM to crash with us.
#Goals
Rock climbing is an excellent metaphor for life, a reminder to keep pulling yourself up and to keep reaching for the next big thing. In fact, I wrote about it in my middle grade novel, Weirdly Walter, where the protagonist enters a rock climbing competition with his grandpa at an indoor gym. They climbed, bonded, and recognized that even though they both kinda sucked, it was fun and sometimes that’s enough.
Highly recommend Sender City. The skyscraper is our favorite.
May your children be happy and EXHAUSTED when they leave.
